Abnormal Psychology [PSYC 2011W.

MV (Spring 2016)]
The George Washington University
WID I Assignment
Points: 60

Length of Paper: 4 pages

Your Role: Fellow Doctoral Intern

Grading Criteria: As Per WID Guidelines

Number of Sources: Minimum sources = Kearney/Trull (Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4) and the

DSM-V.
Due Date One Paragraph, Hard Copy: Wednesday, January 20 (in class). One
paragraph due at first lab [late penalty applies (you lose up to 10% of the points if you do
not turn in a draft)].
Due Date First Full Draft on Blackboard: Sunday, January 24 (11:59 p.m.) [late
penalty applies (you lose up to 10% of the points if you do not turn in a draft)]
Due Date Final Draft on Blackboard: Sunday, February 07 (11:59 p.m.) [late penalty
applies]
Purpose: To apply critical thinking, science and theory (textbook and DSM) to abnormal
psychology.
Task: Read the psychological evaluation below. You are a fellow intern studying to
become a licensed psychologist. This is your final paper that will determine whether you
pass internship or whether you have to re-take it for one more year Your field
supervisor wants you to write a four-part paper critiquing the evaluation.
Part I: Critique of the evaluation of Mitch. You need to answer the following questions:
1. Which instruments (textbook chapter 4), including the interviews, did the intern use
inappropriately in making his diagnosis?
2. Why were they inappropriate?
3. Why should the intern use instruments that pass scientific scrutiny?
4. What instruments would have been more appropriate? Why?
Part II:
1. Is the interns diagnosis accurate? Why?
2. Of the 4-Ds (chapter 1 and class lecture), which one(s) should the intern have focused
on in making his diagnosis?
3. Where on the continuum [textbook chapter 1] would you place Mitchs mental health
problems? Why?
4. Why is it important to have an accurate diagnosis based on scientific findings?

Abnormal Psychology

WID Assignment 1

Page 2

Part III:
1. What aspects of the psychodynamic theory did the intern fail to apply correctly?
2. Other than the psychodynamic theory, which major model (textbook chapter 2
biological, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, or sociocultural) do you think best explains
Mitchs behavior? Why?
3. How well did the intern use of the diathesis-stress model (textbook chapter 3)?
Part IV: Describe three risk factors (textbook chapter 3) contributing to Mitchs
problems and describe three prevention factors (textbook chapter 3) that could have
prevented Mitchs current problem.

Abnormal Psychology

WID Assignment 1

Page 3

Confidential Psychological Report

Name of Candidate: Mitch Black [123-45-6789] Date of Birth: 5/24/1981
Examined By: Mr. Justin Training [Psychologist Intern]
Date/Place of Examination: May 4, 2014 [Ace Psychological Services]
Evaluation Requested By: Mr. and Ms. Gerard Black, Parents
Tests Administered: Rorschach Inkblot Test, Beck Depression Inventory, Interview with
Mitch (15-minute), Interview with Parents (10 minutes)
Reason for Evaluation & Background Information:
Mitchs parents brought him to the clinic because they thought their son was
suicidal. During the brief 10 minute interview with his parents, Mr. Black stated that
during an argument the previous evening Mitch threatened to blow his brains out.
Mitch, a 28-year-old single, Caucasian male, who still lives at home with his parents, has
two older married sisters who live in the neighborhood but who have little contact with
Mitch. The parents reported that the sisters have tried in the past to befriend Mitch and
even help him, but they catch him in lies; and they dont like him around when he is
drinkinghe gets verbally aggressive. The parents said Mitch was always a difficult
child to control even as early as a toddler.
Mitch (in the 15-minute interview) described his educational history as
frustrating and boring. He always hated his teachers because they were always
telling me what to do. He quit in the ninth grade. His parents stated that Mitch always
had academic problems (he just could not concentrate on his work) in school which
resulted in retention in second and third grades respectively. He started smoking
marijuana at the age of 14 and occasionally smoked it since. He reported drinking
alcohol but said he only drank one case of beer per weekend and only several bottles per
night during the week at a local bar. His parents, however, report frequent drunkenness.
He reported that he was the only one at the bar who could hold their liquor. When
asked if alcohol got him into trouble, he proudly said, Nah, just a few fights a month but
I always win. His parents also reported that Mitch has been unable to keep a steady job;
in fact he was just fired from another job for threatening his boss. His parents added that
he held down odd jobs (mostly manual labor) throughout his life none of which lasted
more than 4 months. When this examiner asked Mitch why he lost his job, he blurted out,
they did not like me; always harassing me. His parents say that Mitch enlisted in the
army but was dishonorably discharged after 19 months. They do not know why. When
asked by the examiner, Mitch cast his eye up to the right, looked down at the floor and
mumbled, Too many fights. When Mitch was alone with the examiner, he indicated

Abnormal Psychology

WID Assignment 1

Page 4

that his parents were meddling and always telling me what to do. When asked, he
stated that except for the army, he never lived away from home.
Mental Status and Appearance at the Time of Evaluation/Feedback Session:
Mitch is a tall, muscular-looking man. He was dressed in dirty cut-offs, a white
T-shirt, brown tennis shoes with no socks. He smelled of cigarette smoke; his hair,
shoulder length, was stringy and greasy looking. His motor behavior, posture, and gait
were within normal limits. He was alert but guarded in his responses to the examiner.
His speech quantity and quality were well within normal limits. He did not have good
eye-contact with the examiner and often stared at the floor. He often looked sullen and
downcast; he did not show any signs of happiness.
Results of the Interview with Mitch:
The results of the interview reveal an individual who feels depressed much of the
time. He reports sleeping too much and lost his appetite. When asked about his
depression, he belligerently stated, I lost my job, wouldnt you be depressed? He added,
and if you want to know, my girlfriend busted up with me, too. He refused to admit he
was hurt or angry about the situation but elaborated that she was just a slut. Girls dont
appreciate me for what I can do for them. I give them the best in bed in town. The
examiner asked if he was serious about taking his own life. Mitch laughed, Naw, I just
say that sometimes when Im feeling down. Gets the old ladys goat. When asked if he
though he needed therapy, he responded, Naw, just a damn good job and a woman who
appreciates what I can do for her. I could use something to get rid of this numbness in
my left arm and all these headaches. Based on the information, it is clear that Mitchs
problems stem from a failure to resolve an intense Electra conflict in his childhood (his
hatred of authority). He has a highly developed superego that forces him to act out his
aggressive impulses. He is anally fixated based on drinking of alcohol which leads to
excessive dependency on others. The numbness in his arm and headaches are most likely
an attempt to project his anxieties onto his body so that he does not have to deal with it
(reaction formation). He clearly needs therapy to resolve these long-standing intrapsychic conflicts.
Psychological Findings:
Mitch was administered the Rorschach Inkblot Test, which was interpretatively valid.
The testing suggests that he is experiencing both situational and emotional distress.
There is evidence to suggest that he suffers from depression as a result of his recent
negative experiences. He appears to have strong needs for attention and affection. The
testing shows that he tends to deny social anxiety and to some degree his dependency
needs. The testing also revealed an individual who often behaves in opposition to the
social and cultural demands of society, which leads him into frequent confrontations with

Abnormal Psychology

WID Assignment 1

Page 4

others. There was no evidence of psychosis from the test. Mitchs problems result from
a failure to control himself (stress) and the fact that he has multiple pressures (diatheses)
strongly suggestive of an Electra complex.
Diagnosis
Mitch suffers from compounded mild depressive disorder as well as an addiction
to tobacco.
Recommendation:
The best therapy would be cognitive therapy that would be non-directive and
address his need for self-actualization. Since he is an intelligent person in spite of his
poor schooling, and he is highly resilient he should do well with a few cognitive therapy
sessions to address his Electra complex.
Signature:

Justin Training, Intern

Date: May 30, 2014

[Example of Title Page]

Name of Student
Date
WID I Assignment
Abnormal Psychology
Draft 1 or Final Draft (whichever is appropriate)