C. PA Uses of Assessment Tools and Instruments

Testing

process of measuring variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior

Assessment

gathering and integration of data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools and measurement procedures

Trait

characteristic behaviors and feelings that are consistent and long lasting.

State

temporary behaviors or feelings that depend on a person's situation and motives at a particular time

Postdict it

to estimate or suppose something which took place in past

Predict

to estimate that something will happen in the future

Error

long standing assumption that factors other than what a test attempts to measure will influence performance on the test

Error Variance

the component of test score attributable to sources other than the trait or ability being measured

Classification

assigning a person to one category rather than the other

Placement

sorting people into different programs appropriate to their needs/skills

Screening

identifying people who might have special characteristics or needs

Certification

determining whether a person has at least the minimum proficiency in some discipline/activity

Selection

choosing people for a role or program

Aptitude Testing

used to gauge an applicant's potential for success in a given role

Low Selection Ratio

indicates a high level of competition for available positions

Low Success Ratio

indicates a low rate of positive outcomes compared to the total number of attempts

Diagnosis

conveys information about strengths, weaknesses, etiology and best choices for treatment

Diagnostic Evaluation

evaluation conducted before instruction

Formative Evaluation

evaluation conducted during or after instruction

Summative Evaluation

evaluation conducted at the end of a unit or a specified period of time

Nomothetic Approach

characterized by efforts to learn how a limited number of personality traits can be applied to all people

Idiographic Approach

characterized by efforts to learn about each individual's unique constellation of personality traits, with no attempt to characterize each person according to any particular set of traits

Culture Loadings

Extent to which a test incorporates the said culture

Traditional Assessment

Physical presence of both client and clinician is required

Tele

Assessment

Interview

a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers

Documents

a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought

Case History Profile

records, transcripts, and other accounts in any media that preserve archival information, official and informal accounts, and other data and items relevant to the client

Portfolio

samples of one's ability and accomplishment

Behavioral Assessments

used to understand, predict, and sometimes change behavior by observing, describing, and analyzing how individuals respond to specific situations

Reactivity

change in behavior due to awareness they're being watched (ex. Hawthorne Effect)

Drift

deviation of the observer from original conceptualization of a construct

Contrast Effects

when evaluation is contaminated by impressions

Test

a systematic procedure designed to measure a person's behavior or mental attributes

Standardization

rigorous process of establishing a test's psychometric principles and test administration

Test Authors and Developer

create tests or other methods of assessment

Test Publishers

publish, market, and sell tests, controlling their distribution

Test Reviewers

prepare evaluative critiques of tests based on their technical and practical merits

Test Users

professionals that use tests for assessment (ex. clinicians, counselors, etc)

Test Sponsors

institutional boards or government agencies who contract test developers or publishers for a various testing services

Test Takers

those taking the tests

Achievement Tests

Measures prior learning / learned information

Intelligence Tests

Measure general mental ability

Aptitude Tests

Measures potential in learning and performance

Power Tests

Measures extent/depth of skill

Speed Tests

Measures client's speed / reaction time

Battery Tests

collections of individual tests administered together to comprehensively assess different aspects of an individual's functioning

Neuropsychological Tests

evaluates an individual's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning to understand how the brain is working

Norm

Referenced Inference

Criterion

Referenced Inference

Base Rate

proportion of the population in which the trait possibly exists

Hit Rate

correct identifications

Sensitivity

true positive occurrences

Specificity

true negative (non

Miss Rate

correct misidentifications

Type I Error

false positive

Type II Error

false negative