The Role of Personal History Data in Clinical Judgment: A Selective Focus

Summary More than 30 studies dealing with the role of personal history data as a source of information in clinical judgment and related contexts are reviewed and evaluated. Evidence is consistent with the conclusion that personal history data is at least if not more effective than projective and objective test sources of information for purposes of personality description and prediction in experimental settings. Support for a more intensive and molecular focus on personal history data and specific component items is indicated. Personal history data may represent the primary source of inference for psychologists in clinical work. The question is raised as to whether clinical psychologists have been sufficiently responsive to and informed of basic research applications that might serve to improve professional effectiveness in clinical as well as research settings.