Reviews some historical questions about the usefulness of psychodiagnosis (PD) and discusses the purpose and tools of PD. Weaknesses in the methodology of PD are identified. PD is seen as lacking in its ability to identify a problem, its etiology, and a cure with accuracy; it looks at a client primarily from an external frame of reference. Moreover, PD contains no systematic or recommended
... [Show full abstract] procedure for correcting an inaccurate diagnosis; it has the capacity to make a client a victim of reductionism and can induce the client to become dependent during the process or treatment. Also discussed are factors related to the psychodiagnostician, the use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) in the psychodiagnostic process, and the client-centered approach to diagnosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)