PSYC 3F20 Lecture 4: Abnormal Psych Lecture 4
Document Summary
Problem behaviour viewed as extreme end of a continuum of behaviour, rather than categorically different from normal functioning: personality and behaviour inventories are examples. Typical features of dimensional measures: empirical method of establishing dimensions. Responding to questionnaires, looked at responses and use factor analysis and see which emotional problems cluster together. No overlap across these dimensions: norm-referenced tests to compare respondents" ratings to normal population. Borderline clinical is 1. 5 sd above the mean, clinical signi cant range is 2 sd or more above the mean: clinical cutoffs established through statistical criteria. Advantages of dimensional approach: empirical derivation of scales minimizes symptom overlap and reduced number of dimensions. Factor analysis for cbcl: inter-rater reliability is excellent. Clinical signi cance has statistical basis; often 1. 5 sd above the mean: norm-referenced text allows comparison of functioning to that of a large group of peers.
