such studies and many others like them will surely
give us pause and encourage us to question our
assumptions.
Although no single interview study will offer
an unambiguous solution to an interview problem,
these studies have a cumulative effect. Research can
offer suggestions about improving the validity of
our observations and techniques, shatter some
timeworn illusions, and splinter a few clichés. By
the sheer cumulative weight of its controlled, sci-
entific approach, research can make interviewers
more sensitive and effective. A clinician steeped in
both the art and the science of interviewing will be
more effective (though hardly more comfortable)
than one who is conscious of only one of these
dual aspects of interviewing.CHAPTER SUMMARY
Clinical assessmentinvolves an evaluation of an indivi-
dual’s strengths and weaknesses, a conceptualization
of the problem at hand, and some prescription for
alleviating the problem. The interview is the most
basic and most serviceable assessment technique
used by clinical psychologists. There are two primary
distinguishing factors among interviews. First, inter-
views differ with regard to their purpose. In this
chapter, we have discussed the intake-admission
interview, the case-history interview, the mental sta-
tus examination interview, the crisis interview, and
the diagnostic interview. A second distinguishing fea-
ture concerns whether the interview is unstructured
(often called a clinical interview) or structured. In
contrast to unstructured interviews, structured inter-
views require the clinician to ask verbatim a set of
standardized questions in a specified sequence.
Regardless of the type of interview or its pur-
pose, certain skills are required, including rapport,
good communication skills, appropriate follow-up
questions, and good observational skills. As with
any form of psychological assessment, it is important
to evaluate the reliability and validity of interview
scores. Finally, we have made several suggestions
for improving the reliability and validity of inter-
view scores.KEY TERMS
assessment interviewOne of the most basic
techniques employed by the clinical psychologist
for the purpose of answering a referral question. If
administered skillfully, the assessment interview
can provide insight into the problem and inform
clinical decision making.
case-history interviewAn interview conducted
for the purpose of gaining a thorough understanding
of the patient’s background and the historical/
developmental context in which a problem emerged.
clinical assessmentAn approach to assessment
that involves an evaluation of an individual’s
strengths and weaknesses, a conceptualization of
the problem at hand, and the generation of
recommendations for alleviating the problem.
computer interviewingThe use of computers
for administering clinical interviews.
concurrent validityA form of criterion-related
validity. The extent to which interview scores
correlate with scores on other relevant measures
administered at the same time.
construct validityThe extent to which
interview scores correlate with other measures
or behaviors in a logical and theoretically
consistent way. To be construct valid, an
interview must demonstrate all of the aspects of
validity.
content validityThe degree to which interview
items adequately measure all aspects of the
construct being measured.THE ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW 189