Thought process is a part of a mental status examination that evaluates quantity, form and tempo of thought. Taking into account that the professional implementing testing is not able to know the person's thought process, all the conclusions are drawn on the basis of communication with the person. It is an important clinical assessment tool widely adopted in a psychiatric practice (Buros Institute, 2005). It helps to detect particular mental problems and create effective treatment solutions. Besides, it helps to identify if a person can be dangerous and should be isolated. According to statistics, an overwhelming majority of mental health professionals use thought process testing in their work with patients. However, this tool can be utilized by forensic specialists as well helping them to analyze behavior and motives of every concrete individual that can be extremely useful in the course of investigation.
The test derives from a descriptive psychopathology associated with philosophic and psychiatric concepts of a prominent scientist and philosopher Karl Jaspers. The main principle of Jaspers's concepts is understanding the individual's experience with the help of his own description that can be achieved through a special inquiry. On the whole, thought process test is applicable for representatives of different cultures and is distinguished by a high validity and reliability. However, if a psychiatrist and an individual under investigation are characterized by different cultural backgrounds, there is a risk of misunderstanding. For instance, in some cultures it is normal to keep silence and behave in a reserved manner. Hence, interpretation of the results of the test should always take into consideration cultural peculiarities.
Besides, this test is not likely to overcome malingering if it takes place. It is relatively easy for individuals to fake certain speech and thought peculiarities that may undermine credibility of the results of the test.
Substance Abuse: CAGE Questionnaire
The CAGE questionnaire is an effective method used in the process of screening for alcoholism. It consists of four questions. Have you ever:
(1) felt the need to cut down your drinking;
(2) felt annoyed by criticism of your drinking;
(3) had guilty feelings about drinking; and
(4) taken a morning eye opener?
The test was first introduced in 1970 in Australia by clinicians Ewing and Rouse who elaborated it on the basis of their clinical research and a number of experiments. The questionnaire does not present information about quantity, pattern of frequency of drinking, Instead, it is a purely screening instrument exploring drinking behavior of concrete individuals and its possible consequences. Hence, the test can be useful in a forensic setting in order to identify how drinking could impact a criminal behavior and if it could cause violations.
According to the statistics, “of the 30% of primary care physicians who report that they regularly screen for substance abuse, 55% use the CAGE questionnaire” (National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 2000, p.1). The test is applicable for a wide range of people and is distinguished by 93% of sensitivity and 76% of specificity in identification of drinking problems. In …