CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Psychological Testing and Assessment

This set of 30 vocabulary flashcards covers the foundational concepts, history, and tools of psychological testing and assessment as discussed in the lecture notes.

Psychological Assessment

The process of gathering and integrating psychology-related data to make an evaluation through tools like tests, interviews, case studies, and behavioral observation.

Psychological Testing

The procedure of measuring psychology-related variables using specific devices or tasks to obtain a sample of behavior.

Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon

Collaborators who in $1905$ published a test in France designed to help place schoolchildren in appropriate classes.

William Stern

The individual who developed a refined scoring method for early intelligence tests known as the Intelligence Quotient or IQ.

Psychometrics

The formal science of psychological measurement.

Psychometric Soundness

The technical quality of a test, referring to how consistently and accurately it measures what it is intended to measure.

Collaborative Psychological Assessment

An approach where the assessor and assessee work together as partners throughout the evaluation and feedback process.

Therapeutic Psychological Assessment

A style of assessment pioneered by Stephen Finn and colleagues that aims to provide helpful self-discovery and insights to the assessee throughout the process.

Dynamic Assessment

An interactive model typically used in educational settings that follows a sequence of evaluation, intervention, and subsequent evaluation.

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

The 'in the moment' evaluation of specific variables at the exact time and place they naturally occur.

Format

The plan, structure, and layout of test items, as well as the medium through which the test is administered.

Score

A code or summary statement, often numerical, that reflects the evaluation of a performance or behavior sample.

Cut Score

A reference point, usually numerical, used to divide data into distinct classifications to assist in decision-making.

Interview

A method of gathering information via direct communication involving reciprocal exchange, including the observation of verbal and nonverbal behavior.

Panel Interview

An assessment technique involving multiple interviewers to help minimize individual biases during the evaluation.

Motivational Interviewing

A therapeutic dialogue combining person-centered listening with techniques designed to affect motivation and positive behavioral change.

Portfolio

A collection of work products, such as files, films, or recordings, maintained as a sample of an individual's abilities and accomplishments.

Case History Data

Archival information, records, and accounts relevant to an assessee, such as school files, hospital records, or social media postings.

Case Study

An illustrative account or report concerning a person or event that is compiled based on case history data.

Behavioral Observation

The monitoring of actions by visual or electronic means while recording quantitative or qualitative information about those actions.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in the specific setting where it would typically be expected to occur naturally.

Role-Play Test

A tool where assessees act as if they are in a particular simulated situation to evaluate their skills, thoughts, or abilities.

CAPA

An acronym for computer-assisted psychological assessment, referring to how computers assist the test user during the assessment process.

CAT

An acronym for computer adaptive testing, where the computer tailors the test content or difficulty to the testtaker's ability level.

Psychological Autopsy

A postmortem reconstruction of a deceased individual's psychological profile using archival records and interviews with those who knew them.

Achievement Test

An evaluative tool used in educational settings to measure the degree of learning or accomplishment that has occurred.

Diagnostic Test

A tool used to identify and narrow down specific areas of deficit that require intervention.

Protocol

The booklet or sheet on which responses are entered, or the description of a formal set of assessment procedures.

Rapport

A working relationship between the examiner and the examinee characterized by a level of trust and cooperation.

Accommodation

The adaptation of a test, procedure, or situation to make assessment suitable for an assessee with exceptional needs.