Chapter 1: Psychological Testing and Assessment - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, types of assessment, assessment tools, parties involved, and information sources from Chapter 1 of Psychological Testing and Assessment.

Psychological Assessment

The gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation through tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observation, and specially designed apparatuses and measurement procedures.

Psychological Testing

The process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior.

Educational Assessment

Refers to the use of tests and other tools to evaluate abilities and skills relevant to success or failure in a school or pre-school context.

Retrospective Assessment

Refers to the use of evaluative tools to draw conclusions about psychological aspects of a person as they existed at some point in time prior to the assessment.

Remote Assessment

Refers to the use of tools of psychological evaluation to gather data and draw conclusions about a subject who is not in physical proximity to the person or people conducting the evaluation.

Ecological Momentary Assessment

Refers to the 'in the moment' evaluation of specific problems and related cognitive and behavioral variables at the exact time and place that they occur.

Collaborative Psychological Assessment

An assessment approach where the assessor and assessee work as partners.

Therapeutic Psychological Assessment

An assessment approach wherein an element of therapy is part of the process, encouraging therapeutic self-discovery and sharing results immediately so both parties can co-develop an interpretation.

Dynamic Assessment

Refers to an interactive approach to psychological assessment that usually follows a model of evaluation, intervention of some sort, and evaluation.

Psychological Test

A device or procedure designed to measure variables related to psychology, such as intelligence, attitudes, personality, and interests.

Format

The form, plan, structure, layout of test items, and other considerations such as time limits.

Cut Score

A reference point, usually numerical, derived by judgment and used to divide data into two or more classifications (for example, pass or fail).

Psychometrics

Defined as the science of psychological measurement.

Psychometric Soundness

Refers to how consistently and how accurately a psychological test measures what it purports to measure.

Psychometricians

Professionals who use, analyze, and interpret psychological test data.

Interview

A method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange.

Portfolio

A file containing the products of one's work; it may serve as a sample of one's abilities and accomplishments for the purpose of evaluation.

Case History Data

Information preserved in records, transcripts, and/or other forms that preserve archival information, official and informal accounts, and other data and items relevant to an assessee.

Behavioral Observation

Monitoring the actions of people by visual or electronic means while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information regarding those actions.

Role Play Tests

Tests in which assessees are directed to act as if they were in a particular situation, useful in evaluating various skills.

Computer Assisted Psychological Assessment (CAPA)

Assistance by computers in assessment that allows for tailor-made tests with built-in scoring and interpretive capabilities.

Test-Client Integrity

Refers to the verification of the identity of the testtaker when a test is administered online, as well as the management of varying interests between testtaker and administrator.

Test Developer

An entity or individual that creates tests for research studies, publications (as commercially available instruments), or modifications of existing tests.

Test User

Wide range of professionals who select, administer, score, or interpret psychological tests and assessment methodologies.

Testtaker

Anyone who is the subject of an assessment or evaluation.

Health Psychology

A discipline that focuses on understanding the role of psychological variables in the onset, course, treatment, and prevention of illness, disease, and disability.

Rapport

A working relationship between the examiner and the examinee established during test administration.

Accommodations

The adaptation of a test, procedure, or situation, or the substitution of one test for another, essential to make the assessment more suitable for an assessee with exceptional needs.

Test Manual

A publication containing detailed information concerning the development of a particular test, its standardization sample, administration instructions, and psychometric soundness.

Mental Measurements Yearbook

A reference volume providing descriptions and critical reviews of tests written by third parties.