Why is psychological evaluation sometimes included in the PERSEC process?

Psychological evaluation is included in the Personnel Security (PERSEC) process primarily to assess mental stability and the individual's ability to handle classified information effectively. This evaluation helps identify potential psychological issues that could impede an individual's performance or lead to risky behavior, especially in environments requiring high levels of trust and integrity.

When individuals have access to sensitive or classified information, their mental state is crucial, as lapses in judgment or decision-making can have serious national security implications. Assessing mental stability can uncover any history of instability or conditions that could compromise their reliability or trustworthiness in handling confidential materials.

Social skills, teamwork abilities, academic performance, intelligence, and leadership potential are all important factors in a professional context. However, they do not directly address the critical security risks associated with psychological well-being, which is vital in determining an individual's eligibility to be granted access to sensitive information.