Q & A

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This page focuses on answering the questionnaire that you have related to your course books of Psychology. The only motive is to give you insight into the topic and deliver it to you in a readable manner.

If you have some questions that you are not being able to figure it out, then you can put your questions in a comment below. As per understanding the motive of the question, it will be answered in this section.

Question Answer Column

1. Explain Vail model of training in clinical psychology.

Ans: Vail model of training is also called Scholar practitioner model. It emphasizes on the delivery of professional psychological services while minimizing research training. It endorsed the notion that graduate training need not occur in university psychology departments but also could occur in freestanding professionals schools of psychology. The conference held in Vail, Colorado in 1973 brought a turning point in the philosophy of clinical psychology which endorsed that Psy D program can be alternative to a Ph.D. degree.this model accepts a number of students than that of Ph.D. degree. This degree gives priority to the personal qualities in clinical practice.

Reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Practitioner%E2%80%93scholar_model

2. Evaluate critically the behavioral approach to clinical psychology.

Ans: Behaviorism emphasizes scientific and objective method of investigation. The main ability of behaviorism is it can be observable and measurable. Though external behaviors can be measured what about internal behavior that works with feelings and strong emotions? So it looks simple explanation for the human behavior. It provides the partial explanation when it comes to human behavior. There are many other perspectives which have to be understood so when this behaviorist approach is fully accepted, it can prevent research for further beneficial in clinical psychology.

Humanism (Carl Rogers) rejects behavioral approach as it has low ecological validity due to an artificial environment. Humans don't follow of science. they have their free will. They have their own feelings and emotions which drive them. Humanism also rejects the nomothetic approach to behavioral approach because humans are unique. they cannot be compared with an animal. The emotions and feelings don't resemble in both when compared. this is declared as an idiographic approach. Unconscious mind also plays an equal role in forming human behavior which is eliminated in behaviorism so psychodynamic approach (Freud) also rejects behaviorism. Freud also rejects that human brain is tabula rasa (a blank slate).

According to biological approach, every behavior has an organic and physical cause as both hormones and chromosomes play role in forming behavior.Cognitive psychology also focuses on stimulus-response, memory, thinking, etc. Though there are many critics, behaviorism has contributed in a different perspective like behavior therapy, behavior modification, language development, gender role development and most importantly learning.

Reference:

https://www.simplypsychology.org/behaviorism.html

3. What is evidence-based practice?

Ans: Evidence-Based Practice is crucial in clinical practices as it is about healing human where negligence cannot be done. Hans Eysenck's (1952) said that psychotherapy has no positive outcome after he did research with patients and he was proved wrong by Smith and Glass (1977) and Smith, Glass and Miller(1980). Every therapy has its own importance, to some extent some may work and some won't as the psychology of human being also matters. Usually, evidence-based practices have to be carried out than non-empirical therapy.

4. What is Dodo Bird Verdict?

Ans: Dodo Bird Verdict means that all the psychotherapies are equally important and effective. The term Dodo Bird Verdict was coined by Saul Rosenzweig in 1936. This term was borrowed by Rosenzweig from the Lewis Carroll's book " Alice in Wonderland". In this book, the number of characters was wet. so, to this issue Dodo Bird made a competition where everyone has to run around the lake until they dry up themselves. When it was said, nobody knew how much they have run and how much longer. At the  end of the competition, it was asked who was the winner and it was declared (according to Dodo bird Conjecture) that everyone is a winner and everyone deserves the prize. so, Rosenzweig argued that though there are some technical differences, all the therapies are equally important as all have positive outcomes.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo_bird_verdict

5. Define Clinical Psychology.

Ans: According to Wilhelm Wundt, Clinical psychology is the study of individuals, by observation or experimentation, with the intention of promoting change.

Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology that studies and treats the mental illness and mental retardation.Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of personality and behavioral disorders.Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well being and personal development.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_psychology

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/clinical-psychology

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/clinical-psychology

https://www.verywell.com/what-is-clinical-psychology-2795000

6. Analyze Critically the necessity of research in Clinical psychology?

Ans: Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.Clinical Psychology deals with the treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior and psychiatric problems. The proper research in clinical psychology can benefit human life in many aspects. Any clinical practices which are carried out if is not reliable then the patient and client can be in more trouble who has reached to a psychologist for a help.The necessities of research in clinical psychology have been described below:

1. Research provides the foundation of Knowlege: There is a saying that " Little knowledge is dangerous". Maybe a counselor or psychologist knows about depression but he doesn't know how to deal with a depressed person, then that knowledge somehow becomes useless. So, research can provide the foundation of knowledge for clinical practice.

2. Research provides evidence to guide clinical practice: There are thousands of clinical practices going on in the psychological field. But which is effective and which is not effective, still study is lacking. Unless evidence is not found, using any kind of clinical practice can be illegal.

3. Research provides validity and reliability: Every assessment tools and psychological test carries its effectiveness. If assessment tools and psychological tests have validity and reliability than only it should be used which is found through research.

4. Research shows the effectiveness of intervention: Whenever psychologist carries out intervention to treat patients. But how can it be known that the intervention is effective or not? So, research can be conducted to find the effectiveness of the intervention. If the intervention is good, it has to be carried out and if not alternative treatments have to be done.

5. Research provides ideas for a new direction: There is a connection between everything in this world. Whenever research is conducted regarding clinical psychology, researchers can generate different approaches and ideas in the field of clinical psychology which can be used for the welfare of human life.

References:

The role of research in clinical psychology

http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?the_role_of_research_in_clinical_psychology_limitation_clinical_psychology&b=84&c=10

What is clinical psychology?

https://www.verywell.com/what-is-clinical-psychology-2795000

www.dictionary.com/Research

7. Explain behavioral approach in Clinical Psychology?

Ans: Behavioral approach is based on the belief that behavior can be learned. It focuses on a scientific and objective method of investigation.It is also concerned with observable Stimulus-Response behaviors.This approach also focuses on learning's role in developing both normal and abnormal behavior.

Early theorist Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning (associative learning). He conducted a famous study using dogs. It focused on the effects of a learned response to a stimulus. For example, a dog started salivating when it heard the bell.Here, the sound of the bell would symbolize the message of getting food. Another behaviorist, Edwar L. Thorndike discovered Operant Conditioning and later B.F. Skinner analyzed operant conditioning.It is based on rewards and punishment to shape people's behavior. Edward L. Thorndike discovered Animal Intelligence. He found that punishment didn't weaken S-R connections but inhibited their expression.

8. Describe 'the self' as an aspect of contemporary issues in Clinical Psychology?

Ans: The self - diversity in concept is the basic assumption made in contemporary issues in Clinical Psychology which fundamentally describes each of us has a separate identity which we call SELF according to Western culture and psychotherapy. Healthy self-includes characters like being separate, autonomous and having a private universe of own values, beliefs, goals, and desires. It includes nature like having control, command over emotions, being intellectual, solving problem, setting a goal and giving direction to life, stopping to blame others for problems, an external force has no role, being responsible. Western culture and psychotherapy say those people are pathological who are not self-sufficient, who depend on others, who lack a stable sense of self, who have difficulty in separating their own wishes, values, and desires. These characters denote western self and masculine self. To find development in own means to be independent.

According to culture, "The Self" has a different value. It is culture-specific as self also extends with one's family. It also involves social groups. Separate belief is not involved. These cultures include self as self in relation.Interdependence is given more value.Group goals are given priority. The relationship bond is made stronger to sustain life.

The diverse views help in psychotherapy as therapist needs to respect client's individual differences. And therapist also needs to be empathetic, give value to an egalitarian relationship than a hierarchical relationship, discourage generalized model. Both client and therapist must be comfortable to proceed psychotherapy.

References:

Self Concept

https://psychcentral.com/encyclopedia/self-concept/

Self Concept

https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html

9. Discuss the role a Clinician plays in psychological assessment and psycho-diagnosis.

Ans: The clinician has many roles during the assessment. Some of the main roles have been listed below:

i.When the clinician is conducting the assessment, she should be able to make a relevant decision on the specific question.

ii.The clinician must have diverse knowledge.

iii.The clinician should be able to conduct psychometric tests and psychological assessment.

iv.The clinician must be expert in understanding human behavior so that complex processes be handled.

v.The clinician must have knowledge concerning problem areas and on the basis of knowledge, form a general idea regarding behavior to observe an area in which to collect relevant data. This includes an awareness and appreciation of multiple causations, interaction influences, multiple relationships.

vi.The clinician should be familiar with core knowledge related to measurement and clinical practice. The core knowledge includes descriptive statistics, reliability, validity, normative, interpretation, selection of test, administration procedures, variables (ethnicity, race, age, gender), testing individuals with disabilities.

vii.The clinician should have the basic knowledge of demands, types of referral, questions, expectations and various context like employment, education, vocational, career, health care (psychological, psychiatric, medical).

viii.The clinician should have known about the main interpretive hypothesis in psychological testing.

ix.The clinician should be able to conduct test battery with the psychometric approach.

For more: Handbook of Psychological Assessment (4th Edition)

10. Describe the history of Counseling in Nepal.

Ans: During 1947, Psychology was introduced in Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus affiliated to Indian University as an intermediate level as a part of philosophy. Tribhuvan University was established in 1959 and other college came into existence.Four more colleges introduced psychology in the academic subject in intermediate and bachelor level in 1966. During the 1960s, Psychology grew slowly and outside Kathmandu Valley, introduced in two colleges.

In 1980, Master's level course was introduced.At present, psychology is taught in eight campuses. Psychosocial Counselling is in the infancy stage in Nepal.Due to many problems related to social issues, it has impacted in mental health so to deal with this issues psychosocial counseling is a major component of that care.

Psychosocial Counselling was introduced by Training of Trainees (TOT) to help victims. Nowadays, many organizations are involved in it. Even The School of Psychology (TSOP) is part of it. In 1991, Training in psychosocial Counselling was started in CVICT as a TOT. Later it was introduced as 4-5 months course.After that one-year postgraduate course was affiliated with Purbhanchal University which was initiated by CVICT.

In Nepal, Counselling is practiced in two ways, one is Advice Oriented Counseling and other is Informative Counselling. Sahara Paramarsha Kendra also started a short-term course on psychosocial counseling and many other organizations has initiated this course like PPR Nepal, CVICT, TPO, CPSC.The integration of psychosocial counseling has been made in psychiatry model.It is able to create awareness in society for the welfare of each individual and society.

Reference:

www.counselingcollege.edu.np

www.cvict.org.np

www.tponepal.org

www.pprnepal.org.np

11. Describe the impact of postmodernism in psychology.

Ans: The impacts of postmodernism in psychology has been described below:

i. Postmodernism is changing the face of contemporary psychotherapies. For example, a Narrative therapy which blends social constructivism with personal constructivism to create an understanding of people and therapy. Another example, Contemporary psychoanalysis is apart from earlier approaches of psychoanalysis (Freudian, Object Relations, Self-psychology) by becoming distinctively postmodern (Hoffman, Hoffman, Robison and Lawrence, 2005).

ii. Postmodern themes can be seen in the new trends in Evidence-Based Practice.

iii.Due to postmodernism, psychology developed the Empirically validated Treatment (EVT) and Empirically Supported Treatment (EST) movement which promoted manualized treatment.

iv. President of American Psychological Association, Ron Levant, encouraged EBP. This supported epistemological pluralism.

v.Creswell(2002), Tashakkori and Teddlie (1988)and Thomas (2003) helped to seek to integrate qualitative and quantitative research methodology from their books. Eid & Diener (2005) "Multimethod Research" book was published by APA press.

vi. Postmodernism highlights the client condition as Rollo May (1991) purports that a leading reason that clients enter therapy today is that of the loss of sustaining Myths but he claims that Myths are not totally false but these things are not proven or cannot be proven.

vii.The move from eclectic to integrative therapy is also one of the impacts of postmodernism as eclectic approach lacks depth. so, Schneider proposed an existential-integrative therapy which involves foundation of practice.

viii. Postmodernism has responded to specialization as it is important that each subject open to being influenced by other.

References:

An Overview of Premodernism, Modernism, and Postmodernism

www.postmodernpsychology.com

Postmodernism

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism

Understanding Psychology's Diversity in a Postmodern Perspective Theoretical Orientations, Specialities, and the Role of Dialogue

www.postmodernpsychology.com