Module 1 Lecture 1: Introduction to Psychological Testing and Assessment

Psychological Testing

Process of measuring psychology-related variables

Psychological Assessment

• The gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools.

• Is a procedure whereby a psychologists gathers information about the person in an attempt to answer some questions about behavior, emotions, personality, or cognitive abilities.

• Uses multiple testing procedures and techniques

• Psychologist will integrate the information, develop and test hypotheses about the psychological process in question, and formulate answers to those questions

• Is a comprehensive examination undertaken to answer specific questions about the client’s psychological functioning during a particular time interval or to predict a client’s psychological functioning in the future.

Test Developer

Create tests or other methods of assessment

Test User

Various professionals who are qualified to use and administer the tests and tools for assessment

Test Taker

The individual being assessed or evaluated

Assessment Process

• Referral for Assessment

• Collection of Assessment Data

• Evaluation of Assessment Data

• Formulation of Conclusion

Referral for Assessment

Assessment begins with a referral for assessment from a source

Collection of Assessment Data

Collecting appropriate and sufficient assessment data to address referral questions in meaningful and useful way.

Evaluation of Assessment Data

Interpreting assessment data in a manner that provides accurate description of respondents’ psychological characteristics and behavioral tendencies.

Formulation of Conclusion

Utilizing assessment data to formulate conclusions and recommendations that help answer the psychological process in question.

Ability Test

Measure skills in terms of speed, accuracy, or both

Achievement Test

Measures previous learning

Aptitude Test

Measures potential for acquiring a specific skill

Intelligence Test

Measures potential to solve problems, adapt to changing circumstances, and profit from experience

Personality Test

Measures typical behavior - traits, temperaments, and dispositions

Structured (objective) test

Provides a self-report statement to which the person responds True or False and Yes or No

Projective Test

Provides and ambiguous test stimulus, response requirements are unclear

Case History Data

Includes records, transcripts and other accounts in written, pictorial, or other form that preserve archival information, official and informal accounts, and other data and items relevant to the assessee.

Portfolio

• Work products done by the assessee.

  • It can serve as a sample of one’s ability and accomplishment and can be used as basis for an employer’s decision for hiring.

Behavioral Observation

• Involves monitoring the actions of others or oneself by visual or electronic means while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information regarding those actions.

• It can be used as a diagnostic aid in various settings like inpatient facilities and classrooms, as well as used for purposes of selection or placement in corporate or organizational settings.

• Naturalistic observation

Interviews

• An interview is method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange.

• It can be done in various formats if face-to- face is not possible.

• Interviews differ with regards to many variables, such as their purpose, length, and nature.

Role Play Tests

• A tool of assessment wherein assessee is directed to act as if he was in a particular situation.

• It is useful for evaluating a variety of skills, such as decision making skills or leadership ability.

• It is used in situations where it is too time- consuming, too expensive, or simply too inconvenient to assess in a real situation.

Computer assisted psychological assessments (CAPA)

• Assistance of computers in the administration, scoring and interpretation of an assessment tool.

• Computer adaptive testing (CAT) refers to the computer’s ability to tailor the test to the test taker’s ability or test-taking pattern.

Videos

Used for training and evaluation contexts

Biofeedback Equipment

Used to obtain measures of bodily reactions (such as muscular tension) to various sorts of stimuli.

Evaluating Psychological Test

• Theoretical Orientation

• Practical Considerations

• Standardization

• Reliability

• Validity

Considering Examiner Issues

• Qualifications and competence of the examiner.

• Personal influence on collecting information

Respondent / Test Taker Issues

• Respondent’s preferences

• Informed consent

• Attitudes toward being examined

Assessments in Various Settings

• Educational setting

• Clinical setting

• Counseling setting

• Geriatric settings

• Business & military settings

• Governmental and organizational credentialing

• Academic research settings

• Other settings