Objective Assessment Instruments Research Articles

An Assessment Instrument for Sign Language Interpreters

This instrument for objective assessment of sign language interpreters provides a highly reliable means for assessing the accuracy of interpreted output from videotape, by examining individual units of meaning and comparing the interpreted propositions with the original messages. Interpreters’ use of fingerspelling, the adjustments they make in response to cultural factors, and the extent to which they use American Sign Language or English are also taken into account. It is suggested that this instrument might be of use to interpreter trainers, researchers, and interpreters themselves.

Refining personality assessments by combining MCMI high point profiles and MCMI codes. Part III. MMPI code 24/42.

In this study it has been shown that the addition of MCMI high point code data to the MMPI 24/42 code type serves to clarify contradictory MMPI descriptors and produces three distinct clusters. These MMPI/MCMI clusters comprise an interpersonally acting-out group, an interpersonally acting-in group, and an emotionally acting-out group. These groups were useful in determining different roles for the MMPI 2 and 4 scales insofar as they relate to both personality (Axis II) and its clinical consequences (Axis I). The results of this study also lend support to the utility of combining objective assessment instruments both for identifying and for discriminating among relevant personality disorders and clinical syndromes.

A test to measure the awareness and expression of anger.

The purpose of this project was to develop a reliable, objective and practical tool with which the awareness and expression of anger could be investigated. This paper gives a description of the Awareness and Expression of Anger Indicator (AEAI). The AEAI is a short and easy to use test. It provides a new objective assessment instrument of value in cases where deficits in affective processes, particularly anger, are suspected. 30 medical patients were tested with the AEAI. The investigators report a high inter-rater reliability in scoring the test. Four distinct response patterns emerged. Also, when confronted with the same anger-provoking stimulus, subjects responded significantly differently with respect to whether or not they felt angry, depending on the type of question. Traditional inducing questions, e.g.: Would you feel angry?, produced significantly more affirmative responses (reports of feeling angry) than non-inducing questions, e.g.: How would you feel? The contribution of the AEAI to chronic pain work is discussed.

The Development of the Spiritual Leadership Qualities Inventory

Wichem's (1979) Spiritual Leadership Qualities Inventory (SLQI) was developed to provide an objective biblically-based assessment instrument which would facilitate church leadership evaluation and selection. Since its origination, the SLQI has undergone revision. The purpose of this study was to replicate Wichern's (1979) investigation, using the revised Inventory of 19 spiritual leadership traits with an expanded subject pool of 71 elders, deacons and non-Christians. The SLQI was found to significantly discriminate between church leaders and non-Christians (p < .05), but it did not discriminate between elders and deacons. Additional analysis provided a 19 × 19 correlation matrix of traits with 152 of 171 (88.9%) significant correlations (p < .05) and significant test-retest reliabilities (p < .05) for all traits. Implications for the further development and use of the SLQI are discussed.

Psychological testing and consultation-liaison psychiatry

Although the use of psychological testing in medical settings has been limited primarily to psychiatric units, it can add appreciably to teaching and diagnostic efforts on a psychiatric consultation-liaison service. A number of methodological and procedural modifications are necessary to incorporate testing into the diagnostic workup. The psychologists' efforts must be viewed as supportive, and must be geared to take into account the unique problems on medical and surgical units. Testing efforts can be most helpful in identifying: a) patients whose response set or attitude predisposes them towards exaggerating or minimizing emotional difficulties, b) individuals with conversion reactions or major psychogenic components complicating their medical disorder, and c) patients in whom an organic brain syndrome complicates medical adjustment. The MMPI and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale are examples of two objective assessment instruments that can aid in dealing with an array of diagnostic problems. A series of test profiles are discussed with specific comments directed towards demonstrating the utility of psychological tests.