Assignment 2: Classification and Assessment     Due 2/9/01

Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph (no more than 50-75 words each).  Answers must be in your own words; you may not quote from the readings or take 5 or more words verbatim from the readings, or use the work of another student.

1. Give two reasons that explain how classification is important in the field of abnormal psychology.

2. Explain how “diagnosis” in abnormal psychology does not mean what diagnosis in medicine means.

3. Classifying or diagnosing someone is supposed to be helpful, but it can also create serious problems; give two reasons why (your answer should include information taken from at least one of the Lilienfeld readings this week).

4. Assume you are trying to find out how depressed your client is.  Describe two different assessment methods you could use, and summarize one advantage and one disadvantage of each.

5. Briefly explain what it means to say that assessment and measurement must be reliable and valid.

The following questions will be discussed in class.  You should be prepared to offer your thoughts if called on.

6. Explain what is meant by saying that DSM reflects a medical model and is fundamentally categorical in its approach to classification.  Why do many psychologists object to this approach?

7. What would a dimensional approach to classification look like, and why might it be more appropriate?

8. What are the two major points that Rosenhan was trying to make with his study of “pseudopatients”?  What counter-arguments did Spitzer make?

9. Assume that Marcie Kaplan has a valid point when she says that the diagnostic system is biased against women; what does this tell us about how we define abnormality, and how do you think Thomas Szasz would respond to her arguments?

10. Why is assessment also important in research?
 

Copyright ©1998 Beverly J. Volicer and Steven F. Tello, UMass Lowell.  You may freely edit these pages  for use in a non-profit, educational setting.  Please include this copyright notice on all pages.