Psychological Assessment (Prelims)

Testing

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

Assessment

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

Objectives of Testing

typically to obtain some gauge, usually numerical in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute

Objective of Assessment

typically to answer a referral question, solve a problem, or arrive at a decision through the tools of evaluation

The Process of Assessment

• Referral

• Meeting

• Prepares the assessment tools

• Formal assessment

• Writing a report

Role of Assessor

• Collaborative psychological assessment

• Therapeutic psychological assessment

Collaborative psychological assessment

The assessor and assessee work as partners

Therapeutic psychological assessment

Therapeutic self-discovery is encouraged through the assessment process

Dynamic Assessment

typically employed in educational settings but may also be used in correctional, corporate, neuropsychological, clinical, and other settings

Tools of Psychological Assessment

• Test

• Portfolio

• Case history data

• Behavioral observation

• Role-play tests

• Computers as tools

Test

a device or procedure designed to measure variables related to psychology. they vary by content, format, technical quality, and administration, scoring, and interpretation procedures

Content

subject matter of the test varies with the focus of the particular test and based on the theoretical orientation of different test developers

Format

the form, plan, structure, layout of test items, and other considerations (e.g., time limits)

Administration

tests may either involve demonstration of certain tasks demanded of the assessee and trained observation of performance or may not require the involvement of test administrators

Scoring and Interpretation

it may be simple, such as summing responses to items. it may require more elaborate procedures. some test results can be interpreted easily or interpreted by computer, whereas other tests require expertise for proper interpretation

Cut Score

reference point, usually numerical, used to divide data into two or more classifications (e.g., pass or fail)

Technical quality or Psychometric soundness

depends on how consistently and accurately the test measures what it purports to measure

Psychometrics

the science of psychological measurement

Interview

method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange. they may vary based on their purpose, length, and nature. quality of information obtained in this often depends on the skills of the interviewer 

Portfolio

file containing the products of one’s work; it may serve as a sample of one’s abilities and accomplishments

Case History Data

information preserved in records, transcripts, and/or other forms

Behavioral Observation

Monitoring the actions of people through visual or electronic means

Role-play tests

assessees are directed to act as if they were in a particular situation; this is useful in evaluating various skills

Computers as tools

can assist in test administration, scoring, and interpretation. scoring may be done on-site (local processing) or at a central location (central processing). reports may come in the form of a simple scoring report, extended scoring report, interpretative report, consultative report, or integrative report

Computer assisted psychological assessment (CAPA) and computer adaptive testing (CAT)

allowed for tailor-made tests with built-in scoring and interpretative capabilities

Advantages of Internet Testing

1. Greater access to potential test users

2. Scoring and interpretation tend to be quicker

3. Costs tend to be lower

4. Facilitates testing of otherwise isolated population and people with disabilities

Test Developer

creates tests for research studies, publications, or modifications of existing tests

Test User

tests are used by a wide range of professionals

Test administrator or examiner

person giving the test

Test taker or examinee

person answering the test. anyone who is the subject of an assessment or evaluation. may differ on a number of variables at the time of testing

Society at large

test developers create tests to meet the needs of an evolving society. laws and court decisions may play a major role in test development, administration, and interpretation

Other parties - organizations, companies, and governmental agencies sponsor the development of tests

companies may offer test-scoring and interpretation services. academicians may review tests and evaluate their psychometric soundness

Educational setting

students typically undergo school ability tests and achievement tests. diagnostic tests may be used to identify areas of educational intervention

Diagnostic test

refers to a tool of assessment used to help narrow down and identify areas of deficit to be targeted for intervention

Clinical setting

include hospitals, inpatient and outpatient clinics, private-practice consulting rooms, schools, and other institutions. assessment tools are used to help screen for or diagnose behavior problems

Counseling settings

include schools, prisons, and governmental or privately owned institutions. the goal of assessments in this setting is improvements in adjustment, productivity, or some related variable

Geriatric setting

assessments primarily evaluate cognitive, psychological, adaptive, or other functioning; it focuses on the quality of life

Business and military setting

decisions regarding careers of personnel are made with a variety of achievement, aptitude, interest, motivational, and other tests

Government and organizational credentialing

include governmental licensing, certification, or general credentialing of professionals (e.g., attorneys, physicians, and psychologists)

Accommodations

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

Test catalogues

catalogues distributed by publishers of tests; they usually contain brief and uncritical descriptions of tests

Test manuals

contain detailed information concerning the development of a particular test and technical information

Reference volumes

provide detailed information on many tests (e.g., Mental Measurements Yearbook, Tests in Print)

Journal articles

contain reviews of a test, updated or independent studies of its psychometric soundness, or examples of how the instrument was used in either research or an applied context

Online databases

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) contains a wealth of resources and news about tests, testing, and assessment; there are abstracts of articles, original articles, and links to other useful websites

American Psychological Association (APA)

has a number of databases including PsycINFO, ClinPSYC, PsycARTICLES, and PsycSCAN

Other sources

Directory of Unpublished Experimental Mental Measures; also, university libraries provide access to online databases, such as PsychINFO and electronic journals

China

The first systematic tests were developed in ______ as early as 2200 B.C.E. as a means of selecting people for government jobs. Individuals passing the tests were entitled to a number of privileges, which varied depending on the current dynasty

Ancient Greco-Roman writings

attempted to categorize people in terms of personality types

civil service testing programs

The use of tests or test batteries started in China during the Han Dynasty in the form of _________

British government

The ________ and the US government adapted the testing programs of China for the efficient employee selection for government jobs

Francis Galton

Darwin’s half cousin who devised a number of measures for psychological variables. He sets up an anthropometric laboratory at the International Exposition of 1884

Applied Darwinist

Some people possessed characteristics that made them “more fit” than others

Hereditary Genius

the book Francis Galton wrote in 1869

Karl Pearson

• student of Galton

  • extended Galton’s early work with statistical regression

James McKeen Cattell

• first to use the term “mental test”

• U.S. dissertation on reaction time based upon Galton’s work

• inspired by his interaction with Galton, and was responsible for introducing mental testing in America

Wilhelm Wundt

started the first experimental psychology laboratory and measured variables such as reaction time, perception, and attention span

20th century

brought the first tests of abilities such as intelligence

Binet and Simon

• In 1905, they developed the fist intelligence test to identify intellectually disabled Paris schoolchildren

  • The test was then revised in 1908 and it determined a child’s mental age - measurement of a child’s performance on the test relative to other children of that particular age group

Lewis Terman

the man who revised the Binet-Simon Scale

Stanford-Binet Scale

• In 1911, the Binet-Simon Scale was revised by Lewis Terman and it became widely known as the _________

  • The scale was further revised in 1916 and 1937

Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale

In 1939, David Weschler published the first version of the ______ which added the performance or non-verbal IQ

Woodworth Personal Data Sheet

First structured personality test which was developed during World War I. Its main purpose is to screen military recruits. It represented an attempt to standardize the psychiatric interview

Projective Tests

are tests in which an individual is assumed to “project” onto some ambiguous stimulus his or her own unique needs, fears, hopes, and motivation

Herman Rorschach

he published the Rorschach Inkblot Test in 1921

Henry Murray and Christina Morgan

developed the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) in 1935

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

In 1943, the _______ began a new era for structured personality tests by using empirical methods to determine the meaning of a test response. The test has a primary function of assigning appropriate diagnostic labels to people with mental illness

Factor analysis

method of finding the minimum number of dimensions (factors) to account for a large number of variables

16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF)

Raymond Cattell introduced this questionnaire which utilized factor analysis

Culture

the socially transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, and products of work of a particular population, community, or group of people 

Culture-specific tests

In the 1930s and 1940s, developers of IQ tests devised _____ and clarified that the tests were not intended for minority cultures; yet, the tests were used on individuals belonging to other cultures

Verbal communication in culture and assessment

Certain nuances of meaning may be lost in translation. In interviews, language deficits may be detected by trained examiners but may go undetected in written tests. Assessments need to be evaluated in terms of the language proficiency required and the language level of the testtaker

Nonverbal communication and behavior culture and assessment

May vary from one culture to another. Psychoanalysis pays particular attention to the symbolic meaning of these

Three Aspects of Communication

• Verbal Communication

• Paraverbal Communication

• Nonverbal Communication

Verbal Communication

Refers to the speaker’s grammar, choice of words and fluency. Its impact is usually less than 10%

Paraverbal Communication

Refers to the speaker’s spontaneity, accent, intonation, and vocal tone. Its impact is usually 30%-40%

Nonverbal Communication

Refers to the speaker’s body language and comprehension. Its impact is commonly 50%-60%

Smiling

A genuine smile means the communicator appreciates you or accepts your ideas

Fake Smile

pull back only the mouth while genuine smiles pull back both the mouth and eyes

Detecting Deceit

Liars want to make an honest impression on you, and they attempt to control their deceptive behavior accordingly. Truth Tellers are not as wary of their behavior, and can look more uncomfortable when challenged

Signs of Lying

• greater eye contact

• high-pitched voice

• slower speech rate

• fake smile

• persuasive head movements

• throat clearing

• non-immediate answers

• scratching after the talk

Open hands with palms expose

infer an open, honest approach

Hands on the pocket or hands at the back

infer close dishonest approach

Palm-up position

used as a submissive, non-threatening gesture. Let them know you expect them to talk and that you’re ready to listen

Palm-down position

if the person is your subordinate, this gesture is seen as acceptable because you have the authority to use it

Palm-closed-finger-pointed position

one of the most annoying gestures anyone can use while speaking, particularly when it beats time to the speaker’s words

Collectivist cultures

this culture value traits such as conformity, cooperation, interdependence, and striving toward group goals

Individualist cultures

this culture place value on traits such as self-reliance, autonomy, independence, uniqueness, and competitiveness

Bases of Assessment

• Our recommendations, reports, and diagnostic or evaluative statements are based on substantial information and appropriate assessment techniques

  • We only provide expert opinions about the psychological characteristics of a person after employing adequate assessment procedures and examinations

Informed Consent

educate clients about the nature of services, financial arrangements, potential risks, and limits of confidentiality

Assessment Tools

• We select and administer only those tests which are pertinent to the reasons for referral and purpose of the assessment

• We use data collection, methods, and procedures that are consistent with current scientific and professional developments

• We use tests that are standardized, valid, reliable, and has a normative data directly referable to the population of our clients

• We administer assessment tools that are appropriate to the language, competence, and other relevant characteristics of our client

Obsolete and Outdated Test Results

• We do not base our interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations on outdated test results

• We do not provide interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations on the basis of obsolete tests

Interpreting Assessment Results

• In fairness to our clients, under no circumstances should we report the test results without taking into consideration the validity, reliability, and appropriateness of the test. We should therefore indicate our reservations regarding the interpretations

• We interpret assessment results while considering the purpose of the assessment and other factors such as the client’s test taking abilities, characteristics, situational, personal, and cultural differences

Release of Test Data

• It is our responsibility to ensure that test results and interpretations are not used by persons other than those explicitly agreed upon by the referral sources prior to the assessment procedure

• We do not release test data in the forms of raw and scaled scores, client’s responses to test questions or stimuli, and notes regarding the client’s statements and behaviors during the examination unless regulated by the court

Explaining Assessment Results

• We release test results only to the sources of referral and with a written permission from the client if it is a self-referral

• Where test results have to be communicated to relatives, parents, or teachers, we explain them through a non-technical language

Test Security

the administration and handling of all test materials shall be handled only by qualified users or personnel

Assessment by Unqualified Persons

• We do not promote the use of assessment tools and methods by unqualified persons except for training purposes with adequate supervision

• We ensure that test protocols, their interpretations and all other records are kept secured from unqualified persons

Confidentiality

• Psychologists have a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to protect confidential information

• Our profession is entrusted by the public to provide professional services without sharing the private, personal details offered in the process

Multiple Relationships

• Occur when counsellors or psychotherapists assume two or more roles simultaneously or sequentially with a client

• Can either have unforeseeable beneficial or detrimental effects on the client but we need to maintain a professional relationship with our clients

• Self-monitoring is critical. It is a good idea to ask yourself whose needs are being met and to examine your motivations for being involved in a dual relationship

Who may obtain tests?

Test developers, publishers, and psychological examiners generally release psychological tests only to qualified persons who have a legitimate need to study or use these materials