Clinical judgement in context: a review of situational factors in person perception during clinical interviews

The literature on the clinical interview and clinical judgement has generally tended to ignore relevant research in social psychology. It is argued that the basic psychological processes involved in clinical judgement can be compared with those involved in everyday social judgement. This review summarises evidence on the sophistication and complexity of clinical judgement and on the likely impact on it of a number of factors: the judge's personality, the stimulus background, institutional norms, objectives in the interview, and the interaction process as influenced by situational factors. It is suggested that a model of clinical judgement is required that can encompass, interpret and find value in the artifacts of the clinician's situation.