Module 1: Overview of Psychological Measurement

Psychological Measurement

Field of psychology that discusses theories, concepts, or methods used in measuring or quantifying a psychological variable or construct; AKA Psychometrics

Psychometrician

A licensed professional who practices the field of psychometrics

Psychological Testing

Process of measuring psychological-related variables (application of psychological measurement)

Psychological Assessment

Integration of psychological-related data through different methods of psychological testing

Objective of Testing

Determine the specific score of one’s client in relation with a specific test

Objective of Assessment

Answer the client’s reason for referral through the use of different assessment techniques

Process of Testing

Standardized and objectives tests; can be administered individually or by group

Process of Assessment

Usually individual and more comprehensive; deep dive into the world of the individual; objective and/or projective tests

Outcome of Testing

Yields a specific score from a single test, usually numeric score, and obtain an objective interpretation

Outcome of Assessment

Results are in-depth and comprehensive; includes integration of different scores to make  conclusion; and to answer the reason for referral

Purpose of Psychological Measurement

Diagnosis and evaluation, classification, selections and placement, prediction

Process of Assessment

Referral Question → Preparation of Assessment Tools → Report Writing of Findings

Referral Question

Specific query that prompts a psychological evaluation or therapy intake. It guides the clinician in selecting tests and structuring treatment

Tools in Psychological Assessment

Test, Interview, Behavioral Observation, Case History

Psychological Test

Tool or procedure intended to measure a specific psychological variable; Regardless of content, format, etc., any test administered to clients should be psychometrically sound

Psychometrically Sound

A test has proven, data-driven evidence that it is both reliable (consistent) and valid (accurate) in measuring psychological traits

Psychological Test Scoring

Cutoff, Range, and Continuous

Cutoff Score Example

70% to pass

Range Score Example

0-13 = Minimal

14-19 Mild

20-28 = Moderate

29+ = Severe

Continuous Score Example

“Higher scores mean higher SWB”

Interview

Process of gathering data through their verbal and non-verbal responses; Can be through face-to-face, telephone, telepsychology

Verbal Responses

Information shared through speaking

Non-verbal Responses

Behavior displayed (body language)

Client History

Process of gathering data through records, transcripts, other accounts (pictures, videos, journals); a case history report generally contains your client’s record of all personal, medical, and psychological history; continuously updated per session

Things to Consider During an Assessment

Who, What, Why, How, and Where?

Who?

Who is usually included in the test?

Test developer, Test user, Testtaker

What and Why?

What settings and why conduct in such settings?

Clinical, Educational, Career, Geriatric, Professional

How?

Professional - psychometrician, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc; ethically competent; properly follows the test protocol (testing procedures)

Where?

Where to source tests?

Test Publishers, Test Manuals, Journal Articles

History of Psychological Testing?

2200 B.C.E. in China → Galton in 1869 → Karl Pearson (Pearson R) → Wilhelm Wundt → James Cattell in 1888

2200 B.C.E. in China

China started doing assessments for government jobs. It evolved from archery to geography to horse riding to literature

Galton in 1869

Galton wanted to classify individuals according to their “natural gifts” and how one individual differs from another

Karl Pearson (Pearson R)

Galton influenced Karl Pearson in developing the correlation technique (Pearson R) - how one variable is related with one another

Wilhelm Wundt and his laboratory

Pearson R played an important role with Wilhelm Wundt and the first psychological laboratory focusing how individuals are similar with one another

James Cattell in 1888

He developed the first ever mental test, where it measures one’s intelligence

Two Major Areas of Psychological Testing

Intelligence Tests and Personality Tests

History of Intelligence Tests

1. Alfred Binet & Victor Henry (measurement for memory and social comprehension)
   

2. Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon (30 item scale of intelligence to assist Paris schoolchildren with intellectual disability called the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale)
   

3. ‘Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale (SB5)’
   

4. David Wechsler
   

5. “Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale” (WAIS) - 16 y/o to 90 y/o
   

6. WAIS is on it’s 5 Edition revised in 2024
   

7. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) - 6 y/o to 16 y/o

History of Personality Tests

1. After World War 1, psychologist Robert Woodworth was assigned to develop a measure of adjustment and emotional stability for recruits

2. Woodworth Psychoneurotic Inventory – a self-report scale

3. Criticizing self-report measures, projective tests were developed