The experience of being psychologically evaluated : a phenomenological inquiry

The purpose of this study was to develop a thematic description of what individuals are aware of during their experience of being psychologically evaluated. A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used to analyze transcripts of 10 participants who were interviewed following a comprehensive psychological evaluation. A thematic analysis of the data produced 3 figural themes: 1) Knowing and Being Known, 2) Revealing and Being Revealed, and 3) Judging and Being Judged. These occurred within a context of interpersonal relationship in which the participants described the assessors as having two aspects: 1) Personal, and 2) Professional. This study fills a void in the psychological assessment literature, describing salient elements of an assessment for those being evaluated and highlighting the influence of situational factors. Suggestions for a more collaborative approach to psychological assessment are made to increase the relevance of future assessments. Criticisms of psychology's narrow view of science are reviewed, and alternative methods of inquiry are suggested to broaden the discipline.