Jerry J. Sweet - Böcker

For two decades, I have been responding to questions about the nature of health psychology and how it differs from medical psychology, behavioral medicine, and clinical psychology. From the beginning, I have taken the position that any applica­ tion of psychological theory or practice to problems and issues of the health system is health psychology. I have repeatedly used an analogy to Newell and Simon's "General Problem Solver" program of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which had two major functional parts, in addition to the "executive" component. One was the "problem-solving core" (the procedural competence); the other was the representa­ tion of the "problem environment. " In the analogy, the concepts, knowledge, and techniques of psychology constitute the core competence; the health system in all its complexity is the problem environment. A health psychologist is one whose basic competence in psychology is augmented by a working knowledge of some aspect of the health system. Quite apparently, there are functionally distinct aspects of health psychology to the degree that there are meaningful subdivisions in psychological competence and significantly different microenvironments within the health system. I hesitate to refer to them as areas of specialization, as the man who gave health psychology its formal definition, Joseph Matarazzo, has said that there are no specialties in psychology (cited in the editors' preface to this book).

This volume, the first to specifically address the function of psychologists as practitioners and scientists in medical settings, presents a range of approaches to assessment and diagnostic practice rather than a litany of specific tools, diseases, or diagnostic problems. The comprehensive discussion, augmented by 41 case studies, addresses the psychological assessment of patients and their families using traditional neuropsychological and psychological diagnostic tools in various topic areas and settings. The application of assessment to issues such as ethics and law, professional self-assessment and credentialling, and the communication of diagnostic findings is also discussed.

This volume, the first to specifically address the function of psychologists as practitioners and scientists in medical settings, presents a range of approaches to assessment and diagnostic practice rather than a litany of specific tools, diseases, or diagnostic problems. The comprehensive discussion, augmented by 41 case studies, addresses the psychological assessment of patients and their families using traditional neuropsychological and psychological diagnostic tools in various topic areas and settings. The application of assessment to issues such as ethics and law, professional self-assessment and credentialling, and the communication of diagnostic findings is also discussed.

Neuropsychology of Malingering and Non-Credible Presentations: Perspectives on Validity Assessment is a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing concerns about the accuracy of cognitive performances and symptom reports during neuropsychological evaluations. This updated second edition reflects major advances in the field, offering practical strategies for diagnosing, documenting, and managing validity issues in both clinical and forensic contexts.The book begins with foundational concepts of validity assessment, including the evolution of key terms and statistical principles. It then moves into detailed case examples across diverse settings – civil and criminal litigation, disability evaluations, and routine clinical practice – illustrating how performance and symptom validity concerns arise and are addressed. Additional chapters explore cultural and linguistic considerations, ethical and professional issues, and the integration of multiple data sources such as interviews, behavioral observations, and psychometric testing. The content emphasizes real-world application while avoiding unnecessary technical jargon.This book is designed for advanced trainees and experienced professionals in clinical neuropsychology, as well as those working in forensic psychology and related fields. It serves as a practical resource for anyone seeking to improve their ability to detect, interpret, and manage non-credible presentations across a wide range of evaluation contexts.

Neuropsychology of Malingering and Non-Credible Presentations: Perspectives on Validity Assessment is a comprehensive guide to understanding and addressing concerns about the accuracy of cognitive performances and symptom reports during neuropsychological evaluations. This updated second edition reflects major advances in the field, offering practical strategies for diagnosing, documenting, and managing validity issues in both clinical and forensic contexts.The book begins with foundational concepts of validity assessment, including the evolution of key terms and statistical principles. It then moves into detailed case examples across diverse settings – civil and criminal litigation, disability evaluations, and routine clinical practice – illustrating how performance and symptom validity concerns arise and are addressed. Additional chapters explore cultural and linguistic considerations, ethical and professional issues, and the integration of multiple data sources such as interviews, behavioral observations, and psychometric testing. The content emphasizes real-world application while avoiding unnecessary technical jargon.This book is designed for advanced trainees and experienced professionals in clinical neuropsychology, as well as those working in forensic psychology and related fields. It serves as a practical resource for anyone seeking to improve their ability to detect, interpret, and manage non-credible presentations across a wide range of evaluation contexts.

Clinical neuropsychologists frequently evaluate individuals within a forensic context, and therefore must address questions regarding the possible presence of reduced effort, response bias and/or malingering. This volume offers a wide range of instructive real-world case examples involving the complex differential diagnosis where symptom exaggeration and/or malingering cloud the picture.Written by expert forensic neuropsychologists, the scenarios described provide informed, empirically-based and scientifically-derived opinions on the topic. Issues related to malingering, such as response bias and insufficient effort, are discussed thoroughly with regard to a large number of clinical conditions and assessment instruments. Test data and non-test information are considered and integrated by the numerous experts.Expert guidance for clinicians who must address the issue of malingering is provided in a straightforward and well-organized format. To date, there has not been a comparable collection of rich case material relevant to forensic practice in clinical neuropsychology.

For two decades, I have been responding to questions about the nature of health psychology and how it differs from medical psychology, behavioral medicine, and clinical psychology.

Clinical neuropsychologists frequently evaluate individuals within a forensic context, and therefore must address questions regarding the possible presence of reduced effort, response bias and/or malingering. This volume offers a wide range of instructive real-world case examples involving the complex differential diagnosis where symptom exaggeration and/or malingering cloud the picture.Written by expert forensic neuropsychologists, the scenarios described provide informed, empirically-based and scientifically-derived opinions on the topic. Issues related to malingering, such as response bias and insufficient effort, are discussed thoroughly with regard to a large number of clinical conditions and assessment instruments. Test data and non-test information are considered and integrated by the numerous experts.Expert guidance for clinicians who must address the issue of malingering is provided in a straightforward and well-organized format. To date, there has not been a comparable collection of rich case material relevant to forensic practice in clinical neuropsychology.