The psychological examinationmeans examining the mental state of a person (child or adult) or establishing the existence of specific abilities/skills. The psychological examination evaluates these things at a given moment, in a certain context. The purpose of the psychological examination requires the necessary methods, techniques, and tests; e.g. To obtain a driver’s license, to carry a weapon, to establish the ability to drive special equipment (cranes, ships), to support certain activities (guard), to support a certain activity (teacher, professor, magistrate), etc.
The clinical psychological examination establishes the state of mental health, respectively the mental illness of a person (child or adult). It differs from other types of exams due to the social impact it can cause and therefore obliges the clinical psychologist to the maximum responsibility. Often the clinical examination is the one that will make the first diagnosis to a person. That is why skill and professionalism are needed both during the examination and when communicating the diagnosis. The clinical psychologist must have experience and complex knowledge to carry out a correct examination. Many times a fine diagnosis is needed, in collaboration with other medical specialties, which also requires interdisciplinary knowledge. A special competence, acquired after years of studies and professional experience, isdifferential diagnosis, characteristic of the best clinicians, who can differentiate between many characteristics of several mental illnesses/disorders.
Depending on the purpose and complexity of the psychological examination, various test instruments can be used, from tests that are completed to various devices. The examination can be done individually or in a group.
It is important to understand that the psychological examination establishes the existence of certain characteristics at a given time, in a certain context.The psychological examination has no predictive value, that is, it cannot establish what the situation will be in the future, what will happen to the person, and whether the examined characteristics will be preserved or not.
When it is desired to accurately establish the state of mental health, certain attitudes or behaviors, and when it is desired to establish a highly predictive personality profile, a psychological evaluation is recommended.
The psychological evaluation is a complex one, in many more directions than the psychological examination, it is an evaluation of finesse and precision. Establishes the personality profile, attitudes, behaviors, skills, moral values, etc. That is why it is carried out by specialists with experience and high professional training. Special tests of high complexity are used; psychological evaluation is a long process, often taking place over time, in several sessions, or by observing the person over a while.
The psychological evaluation is carried out in special cases, on people who hold high positions (state officials) or special positions (military personnel), who have activities that require special characteristics (intervention forces, rescue forces, prosecutors, judges, etc.)
In special cases, there are psychological evaluations specific to a certain circumstance or a certain process: custody, placement or care, adoption, legal processes (divorce, criminal offenses, etc.).
Any type of psychological examination is carried out in conditions of peace, rest, health, and normal performance of the person, respecting the conditions of confidentiality. Usually, the results of the examination are handed to the person in question or to those who requested the examination, immediately after the examination in the case of simpler situations or after more time, in the case of complex evaluations.
The psychological examination is always carried out with responsibility, professionalism, patience, and understanding. The context of the examination can be an element of stress for the examinee, therefore the psychologist-examiner must ensure the right conditions and framework so that the examination is not flawed and the result altered.
