Psicología Clínica y Psicodiagnósticosobre la vigencia del modelo de evaluación conductual

Abstract

In the present article the use of a model of psychological assessment, called behavioral assessment, is discussed. According to both conceptual and practical foundations, the criticism about this model are examined. From a conceptual point of view, the criticism are based on a situationism nonapplicable to many of the psychological problems, the utility of the functional analysis of behavior, and the (supposed) rejection of personality characteristics from this model. From a practical point of view, the utility of the techniques derived from the behavioral model, especially the direct observation, and the utility to relate directly assessment and the planning of the psychological treatment, is questioned. In spite of those critics, it is considered that the functional analysis of behavior is more an assessment procedure than a theory of the human functioning. The assessment techniques derived from the behavioral model continue being used (and frequently,) and that to assess each case to design a psychological intervention program matched to every person is a resource that cannot be scorned by clinical psychology.