Classification
and
Assessment
Why Classify?
 We must first define a disturbance before we can begin to
understand its' etiology.
 Classification can facilitate the acquisition of new
information.
 Classification can assist in the prediction or prognosis.
 Classification can help determine appropriate treatment.
 Classification assists communication within the field--aids
in research.
 Classification helps communication with other
professionals.
 Classification can be a relief to clients.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Why Not Classify?
 Classification systems are all somewhat arbitrary.
 Classification ignores the continuum which exists between
normal & abnormal (Categorical versus Dimensional
approaches).
 Classification systems can be misused (e.g., disease
model; pigeonholing).
 Heterogeneity within diagnostic categories.
 Reliability and validity problems.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Major Diagnostic Systems
International Classification of Diseases- 10 (ICD-10)published by World Health Organization (1993)
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual –IV (DSM-IV)- published
by the American Psychiatric Association (1994)
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
DSM-IV
Is multiaxial in nature--has five axes or dimensions
along which you diagnose any behavior disorder--this
forces the clinician to use more information.
More & more refined compared to previous editions.
Descriptive rather than theoretical in nature.
All diagnoses have clear criteria that must be met in
order for the diagnosis to be made.
Includes epidemiological information for each disorder.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
DSM-IV Multiaxial System
AXIS I: Clinical syndromes
AXIS II: Personality disorders & Mental Retardation
AXIS III: General Medical Conditions
AXIS IV: Psychosocial & Environmental Problems
(listed)
AXIS V: Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF)
0- 100 (lower is worse)
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
AXIS I Disorders
1. Disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or
adolescence (e.g.learning disorders, attention-deficit/
hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders, tic disorders.
2. Delirium, dementia, amnestic & other cognitive disorders.
3. Substance related disorders
4. Schizophrenia & other psychotic disorders
5. Mood disorders--depressive disorders, bipolar disorders
6. Anxiety disorders--panic with or without agoraphobia,
specific phobia, agoraphobia without panic, social phobia,
obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety
disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder
7. Somatoform disorders--somatization disorders,
conversion disorder, pain, hypochrondriasis, body
dysmorphic disorder
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
AXIS I Disorders (Continued)
8. Factitious disorders--intentional development of symptoms
9. Dissociative disorders--dissociative amnesia, fugue,
Dissociative identity disorder
10. Sexual & gender identity disorders--sexual dysfunction,
paraphilias (exhibitionism, fetishism, voyeurism, etc.),
gender identity disorders (e.g. transexuality)
11. Eating disorders--anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa
12. Sleep disorders
13. Impulse-control disorders NOS--pathological gambling,
trichotillomania, pyromania, kleptomania
14. Adjustment disorders
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Axis II Disorders
Personality Disorders:
- Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
- Antisocial, Borderline,Histrionic, Narcissistic
- Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive
Mental Retardation
(specified by severity- mild,moderate, severe, profound)
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Assessment in
Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Methods to conduct assessment

Interview:
 Unstructured clinical interview
 Semi-structured or structured interview (e.g. for
diagnosis)
 Psychological Tests:
 Personality (projective  and objective)
 Neuropsychological
 Intelligence
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
The Rorschach Inkblot test
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
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The Thematic Apperception Test
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
The MMPI-2
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Behavioral Assessment
Behavioral assessment is aimed at describing the
SORC chain:
S = stimulus situation (environmental determinants of
behavior)
O = organismic variables (psychophysiological, affect,
thoughts)
R = responses (overt behavior)
C = consequences that reinforce the behavior
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Methods for behavioral assessment
Direct observation of behavior
Self-monitoring
Interviews, self-report
Role-playing
Psychophysiological measurement
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Bodily Assessment
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005
Other points about assessment
Most assessments in abnormal psychology use a
“multimode- multimethod” approach: integrating several
sources of information collected using several methods;
the key is on patterns, not individual assessment results
Ideal is to apply general knowledge about psychology and
psychopathology to the individual
Individual difference factors (e.g. gender, age, culture,
language, intelligence) must be considered when
interpreting the results of psychological assessments.
Abnormal Psychology, 11/e
by Sarason & Sarason © 2005