TREATMENT UTILITY OF ASSESSMENT - MYTHS AND REALITIES

There are many assumptions regarding the treatment utility of assessme nt that are not supported by objective data We identify and discuss th ree of these assumptions: (a) aptitude-treatment interactions do not ( and never will) provide a valid basis for treatment selection; (b) ind ividualized assessment is better than non-individualized assessment; a nd (c) assessment (e.g., functional assessment) improves consultation treatments. These assumptions are myths, because they are not (yet) su pported by objective, data-based research. We conclude our discussion of treatment utility myths by proposing a research agenda that would p rovide an objective, data-based body of research to clarify whether ps ychologists should retain or reject these assumptions.