Overview

The aim of the unit is to provide students with a theoretical and practical foundation for the understanding of psychological tests and assessment techniques. Topics include an overview of technical and methodological principles of psychological assessment, and the application of tests currently used by psychologists. The unit also covers assessment techniques and instruments relevant to clinical settings.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSY40006 Psychological Assessment

Rules

Pre-requisite
300 Credit Points and Admission into BH-PSY Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Standard Entry
OR
Admission into BH-PSYSC Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)
OR
Admission into BH-PSY1 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Graduate Entry

Equivalent
HAY454 - Psychological Assessment; HAY639 - Psychological Assessment

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Analyse, administer and interpret psychological tests and assessment techniques
  • Evaluate the validity, reliability and appropriateness of psychological tests for different applications
  • Competently write case study reports
  • Explain the theoretical foundations underlying psychological tests and their development
  • Explain the use of psychological assessments in intervention planning, referral, and outcome assessment

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Class
1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various
2.50 12 weeks 30
Unspecified Activities
Various
8.00 12 weeks 96
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
ExaminationIndividual 40% 2,4,5 
Report 1Individual 30% 2,3 
Report 2Individual 30% 1,3,5 

Content

  • Principles of psychological assessment 
  • Intelligence and cognitive ability testing  
  • Personality assessment 
  • Assessments for occupational settings 
  • Considerations for culturally appropriate assessment 
  • Assessment interviewing 
  • Report writing 
  • Evidence-based interventions, treatment planning, monitoring and outcome assessment 
  • Working other health care professionals
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical litera

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.