Psychological diagnostic evaluation strategies are used to assess a person's mental abilities, behavior, cognition, and intelligence. They can also help predict the likelihood of future mental health issues.
Psychological evaluations can include:
Psychological tests
These can be objective or projective. Objective tests require a structured response, such as yes or no, while projective tests are given in an ambiguous context to allow the respondent to interpret the question.
Clinical interviews
The psychologist speaks with the patient about their concerns and history, and observes how they think, reason, and interact with others.
Observational data
The psychologist may observe the patient's habits, tendencies, behaviors, and expressions.
School or medical records
The psychologist may review the patient's school or medical records.
The purpose of a psychological evaluation is to help a psychologist understand a person's strengths and limitations. They can be used to assess a range of conditions, including learning disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and competency to stand trial.