Psychological Assessment Is Here To Stay
Abstract
Psychological assessment is based on the psychology of individual differences and dates back to the beginnings of scientific psychology. Clinical psychology began as a profession that provided psychological assessment, and through the 1950s assessment was what most clinical psychologists did most of the time. The value and propriety of psychological assessment was subsequently challenged on various grounds, and other activities gradually supplanted diagnostic testing as a preferred career role among clinical psychologists. Despite predictions of its demise, assessment has continued to be the second most frequent professional activity of clinical psychologists, after psychotherapy. Instead of fading away, psychological assessment has thrived over the years, as evidenced by organizational recognition, substantial practice activity, and an extensive and expanding literature. Because of the singular significance of appreciating and measuring individual differences, because of the demonstrated utility of psychological assessment in facilitating decisions in a broad range of applications, and because of the professional satisfaction that derives from functioning as an expert diagnostic consultant, psychological assessment is here to stay.References
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