What to review for BLEPP: DSM IV-TR or DSM5?

One of the frequently asked questions that we receive on our FB Page is "What to review DSM IV-TR or DSM5 for the BLEPP?" (DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders / BLEPP - Board Licensure Examinations for Psychologists and Psychometricians).

In the 2016 proposed changes of the TOS (Table of Specifications) for Abnormal Psychology, comparing it with the 2014 TOS, nowhere will you find DSM or ICD 10 specifically or categorically stated as basis for identifying common psychological disorders and its specific symptoms. DSM was a creation of the American Psychiatric Association while the International Classifcation of Diseases (ICD) was made by the World Health Organization (WHO).

So how do we reply to the query. We would answer and reply back to study both DSM IV-TR and DSM5 and be familiarized as well with ICD10. The video below taken from APA link serves as an overview of the changes from the old DSM to the current one. There were reorganization/rearrangement made, some addition on specifier, comorbidity and the like. Some of the major changes, Schizophrenia got expanded through a spectrum;  Mood Disorder is now integrated among Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder; and  Anxiety disorders is now split further into: Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders and Trauma- and stressor-related disorders. It appears that with all the expansion made in DSM5, ICD 10 serves to reflect the older DSM version.

With all those so many disorders so what one should focus into? No definite answer but we would suggest those who ask to refer  to the CHED Course Content since it is the mandated requirements by CHED which I hope the PRC-Board of Psychology would take into consideration when making the exam.

At least cover the following topics:
a) Disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence
b) Cognitive Disorders
c) Substance-related Disorders
d) Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorder
e) Mood Disorders
f) Anxiety Disorders
g) Dissociative Disorders
h) Personality Disorders

Still a lot - better be prepared than regret later on.

Below is a video from APA website - http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/topss/videos-teachers.aspx

 

Other related links:

http://psychometricpinas.blogspot.com/2015/06/dsm5-videos-from-taylor-study-method.html

http://psychometricpinas.blogspot.com/2014/03/dsm-5-update-for-counselors-students.html

http://psychometricpinas.blogspot.com/2015/03/dsm5-various-slide-presentations.html

 http://psychometricpinas.blogspot.com/2014/09/combined-course-specifications-and-tos.html

2016 Proposed Revision of TOS for BLEPP

Dear PAP members,

The PRB/Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology (PRBP) recently sent a proposed revision of the TOS (Table of Specifications for Psychology) for the licensure exams (see embedded file).  

We are requesting our PAP members to read and comment on the revisions made re: TOS.  We hope to receive your comments within next week for  PAP collation, comments will then be forwarded to the PRB board.

Kindly direct your emails to Dr. John Manuel Kliatchko (jmr_kliatchko@yahoo.com) and Dr. Ma. Paz A. Manaligod  (mariepazm@yahoo.com).

We appreciate your kind attention.

Sincerely,

Ma. Paz A. Manaligod, PhD, RP
Executive Secretary

Unlike the weights for Psychologist Board Exam, for Psychometricians the weights remain the same. The 2016 proposed TOS is observed to be expanded adding more items to the former enumerated out. So it will be more challenging for the examinees to answer. However, the TOS is now more specific and clearer since it was expanded. Some of the outcomes if not the same were restated to make them clearer. 

The use of words such as assess, compare, evaluate, explain, analyze and distinguish belong to the higher level  in the hierarchy of Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning categorized in the level of Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation.

As such, the BLEPP as an outcome based exam, examinees should pay more attention on the kind of questions they are required to answer and employ corresponding skills necessary to pass the exam.  Since the exam is not simply recall or memorizing and remembering data or facts.

We hope that readers will do as requested by PAP to provide them comment about the TOS that they will forward to the PRB. So we provided a table and our comments comparing the 2014 (old) TOS with the 2016 (proposed) TOS. You can comment both on the comment section of this blog and in our FB page/groups.

TOS items 1, 2, and 5 are restatements, although higher level of thinking is required. Item No. 3 on theories and models is more explicitly than its 2014 version. Item No. 4 perhaps the use of "multipath model" is more appropriate than "multipath theory" per David Sue's (Understanding Abnormal Behavior, 9th Ed.) "The multi-path model is not a theory, but a way of looking at the variety and complexity of contributors to 
mental disorders."

Mostly carry over of the previous TOS except for item 2, it is explicit on group test results and item 5 added outcome is the implication to test interpretations when there's deviations committed and non-standardized practices. 

 TOS for item 2 the outcome task is more on evaluation (determine and appraise) unlike the previous one which is just to identify factors affecting personality. Also, in item 3 is more expanded to include research methods and including behavior, attitude and values of Filipinos (which may form part of personality). 

TOS for item 1 is expanded to include tools and methods in employee selection (outcome is on analysis).  Items 2 and 3 are also expanded particularly on the aspect of major considerations, strategies and methods. Item 4 added compensation systems. Item 5 is expanded to include leadership and organizational development. Item 6 also expanded to include functional units of Human Resource Management System. Item 7 expanded to include also implications of work life balance and well being to I/O Psychology.  



Related links

http://psychometricpinas.blogspot.com/2014/06/comparison-bloom-and-tos-required.html

http://psychometricpinas.blogspot.com/2014/06/outcomes-assessment-faq-examples-and.html