PSY 751.03 PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT I: INTELLIGENCE TESTING

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

SPRING 2001

Instructor's Information:

        Dr. Jose M. Arcaya, Ph.D.

        Office: 2133 North Hall

        Phone: (212) 237-8786

        Email: jarcaya@erols.com         

Course Syllabus:

Note on Phone Calls: While I welcome phone calls to discuss academic problems, questions about assignments, and other matters of substance, I would appreciate if you would not call me regarding absences, tardiness, or other matters which could be dealt with at the time of the next class period. Indeed, I would prefer if you contact me via my email address from where I can respond to your inquiries with much greater leisure (and thoughtfulness) than over the phone.

Attendance Policy:

No more than two absences without receiving a forcible withdrawal (no excuses).

Texts:

Required:

Groth-Marnat, G. (1999). Handbook of psychological assessment, 3^rd Ed.  New York: Wiley

Gregory, R.J. (1999).  Foundations of intellectual assessment.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Aim of course: To teach the theory and use of the WISC-III and WAIS-III along with the fundamentals of

intelligence theory as applied to the forensic situation

Grading:

1) Two, closed book, multiple-choice examinations (25% each)

2)    Two reports using the tests in question; however, two others will be required as “practice write-ups” (2 WISC-III; 2 WAIS-III) (25% of grade); use Gregory chapter 7 as format vehicle; BE SURE TO DOUBLE SPACE YOUR PAPER SO THAT I CAN MAKE RELEVANT COMMENTS IN APPROPROIATE PLACES

3)    Either a case history illustrating an important aspect of cognitive functioning (ex, learning disability, ADHD, brain trauma) but using academic references to make broader theoretical points than just a specific patient report or an academic paper on any topic relating intelligence and forensic matters (employ APA format in both cases, double-spaced typed). By the way I do not want papers on the relationship between crime and IQ.

Course Outline:

G=Gregory Book

M= Groth-Marnat                                                      Chapter

2/1 Introduction to testing;                                        G=1, M=1

2/8 Context of testing, nature of intelligence;                     G=2,3;M=2,4,5(132-150) 

2/15 WAIS III (bring kit);WAIS-III manual;                          G=7

2/22 WAIS-III in-class presentation;                                M=711-727,Write-up #1 due

3/1 WAIS-III (CONT);                                                G=4

3/8 Clinical issues and alternative tests;                          G=5

3/15 EXAM #1; Write-up #2 due; In-class presentation

3/22 WISC-III   (bring kit);                                        Manual

3/29 WISC-III: testing consideration/developmental issues;          Manual

4/5 Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test;                               M=546-567

4/12 Spring Break

4/19 Write-up #3 due; Brain-behavior relationships;                 G=3; M=567-594

4/26 Screening tests;                                               G=6

5/3 Recommendations;                                                M=13

5/10 Final paper due; Write-up #4 due; in-class presentations

5/17 Exam #2