What would a full battery of psychological testing consist of?

Factual Questions
1

I have heard this term recently. What would such a sereis of tests entail? What would they show? How many are their? etc. etc.

2

The tests will vary according to the purpose of the testing. Thus, a neuropsychological battery will focus on neurological issues.

A basic psychological battery includes:

  1. A clinical interview and other history-gathering.
    (2. Some measure of mental status [e.g., Mini-Mental Status Exam]).
  2. A cognitive test of ability (e.g., the WAIS-III) or achievement (e.g., the Woodcock-Johnson).
  3. A personality measure (e.g., the MMPI-2).
    (5. Specific brief screens [e.g., Beck Depression Inventory-2, a traumatic events scale, a malingering screen, etc.).

But as I say, it can vary.

3

They used to commonly use the Rorshach (sp?) test also, but that’s fallen mostly away.

Those questions on the MMPI-2 are pretty dated, too.

4

Rorschach is used more in circumstances where there’s more time, or where the more standardized tests aren’t helpful these days.

The MMPI was revised to the MMPI-2. The 2 generally seems up to date to me. However, I prefer the PAI (Personality Assessmrnt Inventory), which is shorter and seems (in my clinical experience) less likely to be invalid when the person has a trauma history.