The Role of the Clinical Interview in Constructing Psychological Diagnosis: Between Subjective Data and Objective Indicators

Abstract

This theoretical article examines the role of the clinical interview in constructing psychological diagnosis by analyzing how subjective data—the interviewee’s account of distress, history, and inner experience—interact with objective indicators drawn from observed behavior, collateral sources, and standardized instruments. Using an analytical review approach, the article discusses interview formats and their diagnostic functions, together with the strengths and limits of self-report and of objective indicators. It then proposes an integrative model that treats diagnosis as a gradual inferential process grounded in triangulation across sources. The review concludes that the diagnostic value of the clinical interview derives from neither source alone; it depends on the degree of structure in the interview, the clinician’s ability to manage cognitive biases, and sensitivity to cultural context. Recommendations for training, practice, and research are offered.