PSYCHOLOGY Evaluation

[chpbound]

Hello, I am taking the PAT on 9/9/06. :biggrin:

Through reading numerous posts ? I now understand what I should expect during each test/exam phase ? except for the psychological evaluation.

What should I expect? Is there anything that I should prepare? How long does it take? What is asked?

Any information and or experiences will be greatly appreciated. :biggrin:

[Draxxus07]

to my understanding they just pick at your past and ask you personal questions to see if your mentally stable to handle a job like the CHP. There is no preparing for it other than being honest

[not5150]

You can't really prepare for the psych. Just realize that you'll be asked a bunch of weird questions.

It takes a LONG time.

[platinumrun]

I think the length of the interview depends on your background and how many minor discrepancies you may have lingering in your file. Draxxus07 gives good advice. The interview is mainly to make sure you?re mentally stable and your actual personality and character match what your file says. The CHP invests a lot of money into each cadet and they want to make sure you?re mentally tough enough to withstand the academy and that you will not become a liability out on a beat. Just stay calm and confident and think before you speak and you?ll be fine.

[NorCal-Soon2BCHP]

I'm pretty sure everyone who takes the Psych is nervous. Just remember, your going to be making a first impression, so make it count. As platinumrun says, stay calm and be polite (Yes Ma'am, Yes Sir... ect). If you can imagine already knowing the Psychiatrist try to do so, it makes talking much easier. At the end thank him or her for the time with you, and hope for the best! Goodluck bud.

[TypeS]

STEP 4. Psychological Evaluation - Includes a written examination and personal interview with a licensed psychologist which is conducted upon successful completion of the background investigation.


what is the written examination about? :confused::

[pupdog]

Just like 'Seinfeld,' it's about nothing. It's a zillion really random, irrelevant sounding questions. Is the sky blue...do you like flowers...do you like to dance...do you like social gatherings...and quite a few questions about sex. I remember constantly hearing other applicants muttering 'boy there's a lot of sex questions!'

No prep for the oral. Just go. They're looking for something specific that you need a degree in it to understand, and it's really for your own good. The wierd thing about the oral for me was that after all that time, all those tests & hoops to jump through, it was down to that one conversation, over in 45 minutes. It felt really final, and it was either final or just the beginning (lucking the beginning:biggrin:

[dw]

Hello, I am taking the PAT on 9/9/06. :biggrin:

Through reading numerous posts ? I now understand what I should expect during each test/exam phase ? except for the psychological evaluation.

What should I expect? Is there anything that I should prepare? How long does it take? What is asked?

Any information and or experiences will be greatly appreciated. :biggrin:

Please familiarize yourself with the rules before posting as questions about specific policies/procedures/testing are prohibited.


what is the written examination about? Question
MMPI and 16PF. I won't embarrass myself by trying to explain them, but they are well recognized evaluations.

[marshallortiz]

just had my oral psych interview!9/22/06, probably the weirdest i felt through the whole process! anyone else walk out feeling unsure about it? now its time to wait! this wait is gonna suck! anyone out there that cares, wish me well! if all is, ill be in the academy in december!

[zen_out]

just had my oral psych interview!9/22/06, probably the weirdest i felt through the whole process! anyone else walk out feeling unsure about it? now its time to wait! this wait is gonna suck! anyone out there that cares, wish me well! if all is, ill be in the academy in december!

Good luck! :biggrin:

[marshallortiz]

thanks zen out! i need those good lucks! never imagined the psych could be like that!:confused::

[dw]

If you read through some past threads, you'll see most people come out with a similar feeling.

[HippieChip]

You are who you are.....don't try to be anything else!

[marshallortiz]

Thanks dw and hippie chip! :biggrin: at least i know im not the only one! well wish me well guys! I guess ill do as the others do when they are waiting! PT myself so when i get there im ready!

[GoFasterDammit]

I just finished my physical, now the psych is the only thing standing in my way. I've heard alot of mixed opinions/comments on the evaluation so I'll just go in with a clear head. My BI said I should have nothing to worry about and the results of my background were very good. It leaves me uneasy to think that my potential future with the CHP relies on a single person. :confused:

[Sportbiker]

I just finished my physical, now the psych is the only thing standing in my way. I've heard alot of mixed opinions/comments on the evaluation so I'll just go in with a clear head. My BI said I should have nothing to worry about and the results of my background were very good. It leaves me uneasy to think that my potential future with the CHP relies on a single person. :confused:

youre right, it relies soley on you!

[GoFasterDammit]

Well I was referring to the psychcologist. I'm 100% confident in myself but I've heard horror stories first hand of very respectable people getting DQ'd because they said they had 1-2 drinks a month on their survey. They said to the psych that meant that they were inoxicated 1-2 times a month, 24 times a year which equals an alcohol problem. I put I had 1 or less drinks a month, haven't had a drink since July, and I can't remember the time before that. The person I am talking about later found out that the same psych DQ'd 10 other candidates for the same reason and all had to appeal.

[DOMMERFAN]

just had my oral psych interview!9/22/06, probably the weirdest i felt through the whole process! anyone else walk out feeling unsure about it? now its time to wait! this wait is gonna suck! anyone out there that cares, wish me well! if all is, ill be in the academy in december!

Good luck. I only have the oral psych to go. Hope to see you in the Dec. 11 class.

[23112]

Tips for passing the psychological interview:

1) Randomly increase your vocal volume for certain words in the middle of a sentence while responding.
2) Avoid making eye contact at all costs; address the lamp instead of your interviewer when answering questions.
3) Keep asking, "You're going to let me go after this, right?"
4) When asked about your mother, refer to her as "Sweet-cheeks" in your reply.
5) Tell your psychologist you really want the job because you want the opportunity to see injuries you aren't responsible for.
6) Keep scratching your arms for the duration of the interview.
7) When your psychologist gets quiet for a moment, shout, "Leave me alone, I'm trying to have an interview!" while looking over your shoulder.
8> Walk backwards when entering and leaving the office.
9) Sit Indian-style and wear pants that are too short. Make sure you have two different colored socks on.

Okay, I'll stop there before DW locks this thread up for revealing too many secrets. Good luck. :smile:

[Mac]

a few more tips......

10) End every answer with "...in accordance with prophesy".
11) Mention that the world will never forget your name (and/or deeds) if you become an officer.
12) Bring a stuffed animal with you to the interview. Pet it continuously, and whisper to it often before answering questions.
13) Mutter "redrum" in the middle of sentences frequently.
14) If asked when the last time was that you used drugs, glance at your watch and appear to do mental calculations before answering.
15) Occasionally stare blankly and say nothing rather than answering a question.

[zen_out]

7) When your psychologist gets quiet for a moment, shout, "Leave me alone, I'm trying to have an interview!" while looking over your shoulder.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[23112]

a few more tips......

10) End every answer with "...in accordance with prophesy".
11) Mention that the world will never forget your name (and/or deeds) if you become an officer.
12) Bring a stuffed animal with you to the interview. Pet it continuously, and whisper to it often before answering questions.
13) Mutter "redrum" in the middle of sentences frequently.
14) If asked when the last time was that you used drugs, glance at your watch and appear to do mental calculations before answering.
15) Occasionally stare blankly and say nothing rather than answering a question.

Holy mackerel, Mac--this was too funny! #14 really got me chuckling...you must have spent some time with some crazies in your life to come up with that list! :-)

[SB 405]

I hear talking about yourself in the third person might help as well:lol:

[Mac]

Holy mackerel, Mac--this was too funny! #14 really got me chuckling...you must have spent some time with some crazies in your life to come up with that list! :-)
Just remember - when you're schizophrenic, you're never alone! :badgrin:

[PeckerHead]

I really wow'd my pshchologist when I took out my roll of toilet paper and made him some origami figures. He recommended me for some free psychosomantic therapy. I guess that means he was really impressed with my foil hat? Seems to me with that kind of recommendation I shouldn't have had to endure 26 weeks at the Academy! They should have just made me a sergeant.:confused:

[23109]

Tips for passing the psychological interview:

1) Randomly increase your vocal volume for certain words in the middle of a sentence while responding.
2) Avoid making eye contact at all costs; address the lamp instead of your interviewer when answering questions.
3) Keep asking, "You're going to let me go after this, right?"
4) When asked about your mother, refer to her as "Sweet-cheeks" in your reply.
5) Tell your psychologist you really want the job because you want the opportunity to see injuries you aren't responsible for.
6) Keep scratching your arms for the duration of the interview.
7) When your psychologist gets quiet for a moment, shout, "Leave me alone, I'm trying to have an interview!" while looking over your shoulder.
8> Walk backwards when entering and leaving the office.
9) Sit Indian-style and wear pants that are too short. Make sure you have two different colored socks on.

Okay, I'll stop there before DW locks this thread up for revealing too many secrets. Good luck. :smile:

Having been 23112's roommate for 6 months, I can truthfully state that I've seen most of these examples in person at one time or another.

[23112]

Tips for passing the psychological interview:

1) Randomly increase your vocal volume for certain words in the middle of a sentence while responding.
2) Avoid making eye contact at all costs; address the lamp instead of your interviewer when answering questions.
3) Keep asking, "You're going to let me go after this, right?"
4) When asked about your mother, refer to her as "Sweet-cheeks" in your reply.
5) Tell your psychologist you really want the job because you want the opportunity to see injuries you aren't responsible for.
6) Keep scratching your arms for the duration of the interview.
7) When your psychologist gets quiet for a moment, shout, "Leave me alone, I'm trying to have an interview!" while looking over your shoulder.
8> Walk backwards when entering and leaving the office.
9) Sit Indian-style and wear pants that are too short. Make sure you have two different colored socks on.

Okay, I'll stop there before DW locks this thread up for revealing too many secrets. Good luck. :smile:

Having been 23112's roommate for 6 months, I can truthfully state that I've seen most of these examples in person at one time or another.

We don't appreciate such accusations because we're as normal as you are! You're just jealous because I have a ruby in my pocket that controls the weather...if you would only stop stalking me I wouldn't have to ask my angelic friends to inflict you with gastrointestinal problems. Worms are the smartest pets. To any who can read this: ;lk,nd,m ai ick, lkjdkie0999 de redrum 23109!

While on break-in (in the not-so-distant past), the front desk officer called me up front and asked me to sign off a guy's ticket. I walked outside with the guy and he said, "There sure are a lot of trucks out there." I agreed. He sort of looked around and in a low voice muttered, "They're trying to kill people." I said, "Sure seems that way, sometimes" while I fumbled around with his ticket and wondered how to sign it off while simultaneously trying to appear like I knew what I was doing. He elaborated, "Aliens are trying to mess with trucker's brakes so they'll crash." "Excuse me?" I asked. He repeated himself and then went into a quiet tirade about aliens and their evil plans for the 101. He was dead serious. I handed him his ticket and wished him well. When I walked back into the office, the front desk officer was proudly chuckling to himself because I finally met (the guy's name). I guess he comes by the office every now and again to report the doings of unidentified life forms and their nefarious acts in our area. People are nuts.

[Royd5150]

This was posted on the POST website today. Wondering what the physc people are looking for here ya go. Note: this may not be specific to CHP.

http://www.post.ca.gov/selection/psychological-traits.pdf

[snowdog]

This was posted on the POST website today. Wondering what the physc people are looking for here ya go. Note: this may not be specific to CHP.

http://www.post.ca.gov/selection/psychological-traits.pdf


That was clear as mud. Now all you have to do is memorize all ten pages and make certain you applly all of those guidelines when answering your 300+ questions during your psych written and ensure everything in your background, especially the past 7 years, matches all of the guidelines. I'm glad I didn't have to pass a psych test when I came on. Otherwise I would be very accustomed to saying "would you like some fries with your order"?

[Retread]

I just finished my physical, now the psych is the only thing standing in my way. I've heard alot of mixed opinions/comments on the evaluation so I'll just go in with a clear head. My BI said I should have nothing to worry about and the results of my background were very good. It leaves me uneasy to think that my potential future with the CHP relies on a single person. :confused:

Don't let it bother you, and don't second guess yourself. Without violating dw's posting rules, I'll say that I found sitting through the psych written tests was the tedious part. When you get to the sit-down with the head doctor, just be polite and anwser their questions. Don't try to second-guess them, and try not to be nervous.

The person who controls your destiny at this point of the hiring process is you. Good luck!

[CHPUSMC]

just had my oral psych interview!9/22/06, probably the weirdest i felt through the whole process! anyone else walk out feeling unsure about it? now its time to wait! this wait is gonna suck! anyone out there that cares, wish me well! if all is, ill be in the academy in december!

Weirdest I felt was after the laytex glove episode in the previous hiring step...I was relieved to find out that everything works as it should.

[CHP 44]

Just had my Psych with a different department and it took 5-10 mins. They talked about my jobs and what I did in the Military...And then asked about my family and things like that....At the very end he asked if I were to pick and animals to live out the rest of my life what animal would it be...??? I said a bird!

Good luck....I would not stress out about it too much!! Pretty stright forward!

[23112]

Just had my Psych with a different department and it took 5-10 mins. They talked about my jobs and what I did in the Military...And then asked about my family and things like that....At the very end he asked if I were to pick and animals to live out the rest of my life what animal would it be...??? I said a bird!

Good luck....I would not stress out about it too much!! Pretty stright forward!

Oh, man, I can't believe you said you wanted to be a bird! I hope you didn't want this job too badly. Let me explain what the psychologist heard (and wrote in his report) when you sang like a canary:

1) A bird is an animal with no arms. A Chippy is an extension of the "arm of the law." The two are incompatible.
2) A bird is an animal that can fly freely without any constraint. This clearly alludes to the fact that you don't want to be hindered by any rules or departmental policy. You'd much rather be on your own program, like our aviary friends.
3) Birds have eyes on the sides of their heads. This told your interviewer that you don't like to see things in a straightforward manner.
4) Birds peck at things. This means you would probably peck at CHP policy and squawk when things don't go your way.
5) Birds have easily-ruffled feathers. So do you, bird-man.
6) Chickens, Do-do's, and Kiwis are all birds. Need I say more?
7) Birds enjoy pooping on people's cars. A Chippy needs to maintain a clean, professional-looking patrol vehicle--he must never poop on it (leave that to the deuces that are sitting on the fatal-blanket).
9) (Because 8 turns into a happy-face) Birds have skinny, scaley feet. A Chippy must wear boots.

What you should have said was, "I want to be an armadillo!" He would have signed you up for Academy right then and there!

In case it needs to be said, I'm just kidding. Congratulations on making this far, CHP44! You're almost there--it'll all be worth it in the end! :-)

[Mac]

Oh, man, I can't believe you said you wanted to be a bird! I hope you didn't want this job too badly. Let me explain what the psychologist heard (and wrote in his report) when you sang like a canary:

<remainder snipped>
Now that right there is funny, I don't care WHO you are! :badgrin: Are you sure you're not one of the psychs masquerading as an officer, 23112?

[CHP 44]

Just had my Psych with a different department and it took 5-10 mins. They talked about my jobs and what I did in the Military...And then asked about my family and things like that....At the very end he asked if I were to pick and animals to live out the rest of my life what animal would it be...??? I said a bird!

Good luck....I would not stress out about it too much!! Pretty stright forward!

Oh, man, I can't believe you said you wanted to be a bird! I hope you didn't want this job too badly. Let me explain what the psychologist heard (and wrote in his report) when you sang like a canary:

1) A bird is an animal with no arms. A Chippy is an extension of the "arm of the law." The two are incompatible.
2) A bird is an animal that can fly freely without any constraint. This clearly alludes to the fact that you don't want to be hindered by any rules or departmental policy. You'd much rather be on your own program, like our aviary friends.
3) Birds have eyes on the sides of their heads. This told your interviewer that you don't like to see things in a straightforward manner.
4) Birds peck at things. This means you would probably peck at CHP policy and squawk when things don't go your way.
5) Birds have easily-ruffled feathers. So do you, bird-man.
6) Chickens, Do-do's, and Kiwis are all birds. Need I say more?
7) Birds enjoy pooping on people's cars. A Chippy needs to maintain a clean, professional-looking patrol vehicle--he must never poop on it (leave that to the deuces that are sitting on the fatal-blanket).
9) (Because 8 turns into a happy-face) Birds have skinny, scaley feet. A Chippy must wear boots.

What you should have said was, "I want to be an armadillo!" He would have signed you up for Academy right then and there!

In case it needs to be said, I'm just kidding. Congratulations on making this far, CHP44! You're almost there--it'll all be worth it in the end! :-)

THAT WAS GREAT!!! :lol: I am not in the process with the CHP anymore....I was going to be in the May class, but had to drop out of the process due to family issues, but I am in the process with the VA State Police and will be in the Feb Academy!! I am glad some on here have a GREAT humor!!

You had me going there for awhile!!:lol:

[23109]

Oh, man, I can't believe you said you wanted to be a bird! I hope you didn't want this job too badly. Let me explain what the psychologist heard (and wrote in his report) when you sang like a canary:

<remainder snipped>
Now that right there is funny, I don't care WHO you are! :badgrin: Are you sure you're not one of the psychs masquerading as an officer, 23112?

23112 had us rolling nightly with his shenanigans !

[Boomer]

That was absolutely hilarious!!!:biggrin: I couldn't stop laughing. How in the world you can up with that is still got me scratching my head but it doesn't matter cause it was damm funny!!