A. Classification
   1. Why classify?
   2. Strategies
      a. Categorical
      b. Dimensional
      c. Prototypical
   3. Requirements
      a. Reliability
      b. Validity
          (1) Concurrent
          (2) Etiology
          (3) Prognosis
          (4) Treatment
   4. What is a “diagnosis”?
      a. Diagnosis in medicine
      b. "Diagnosis" in abnormal psychology
   5. Classification systems
      a. Kraepelin and the medical model
      b. Early editions of DSM
      c. DSM-IV
          (1) The multiaxial system
          (2) Categories (groupings) of disorder
          (3) Diagnostic criteria
          (4) Other information
      d.  Dimensional rating systems
   6. Limitations and disadvantages of classification and diagnosis
      a. Sociocultural variations (e.g. Lilienfeld Ch 4)
      b. Overlap and comorbidity
      c. Sub-threshold patterns
      d. Reliability versus validity (e.g. Lilienfeld Ch 2)
      e. Reification: description versus explanation
      f. Labeling (e.g. Lilienfeld Ch 2)
      g. Lost information

B. Assessment and Measurement
   1. Clinical assessment and measuring research variables
   2. Standards
      a. Reliability
      b. Validity
   3. Methods
      a. Interviews and questionnaires
      b. Physical tests
          (1) Physical exam
          (2) Chemistry profiles
          (3) Neurological and neuropsychological tests
          (4) Psychophysiological measures
      c. Observational procedures
          (1) Mental status exam
          (2) Behavior checklists and ratings scales
          (3) Natural and "laboratory" observation
      d. Psychological testing
          (1) Scales
          (2) Inventories
          (3) Projective testing

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.