title: Assessment interviewing in clinical psychology.
abstract: The relative specificity of the structure of psychological traits has presented the clinical psychologist with a very difficult problem; it means that generalized test procedures are of limited use. This paper suggests: (1) that the interview presents one way of beginning to solve this problem, and (2) that the findings of psychological research may provide the means of arriving at a distinctive style of valid interviewing for assessment purposes. This style has two main features: (1) it facilitates self-exploration and self-disclosure and (2) it maximizes the accuracy of the information obtained. An outline of some of the research findings is presented; some of the methodological problems are discussed; and a brief example is given.
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007600:Judgment; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012106:Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure