Basic Concepts in Psychological Testing and Assessment

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the basic concepts, philosophies, historical milestones, classifications, and levels of psychological testing and assessment based on the lecture transcript.

Psychometric Approach

An American-origin philosophy of assessment that gives numerical estimates of single aspects of performance, resting on the belief that if a thing exists, it exists in some amount (Thorndike) and can be measured (McCall).

Impressionistic Approach

A German-origin philosophy that leads to a comprehensive, descriptive picture of an individual by looking for significant cues to understand dynamics and integrating them into a total picture.

Individual Differences

The concept that 'no two individuals are exactly alike,' focusing on how people differ (via assessment tools) and why they differ (via in-depth analysis) across people or within the same person over time.

Psychological Assessment

The gathering and integration of psychology-related data through tools like tests, interviews, and observations for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman 2013).

Psychological Testing

The process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior, usually through standardized tests (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman 2013).

Seguin Form Board

A test developed by Seguin in 1837, who also opened a school for mentally retarded children.

Esquirol

An individual who in 1838 differentiated mental retardation from mental illness and proposed that retardation has several levels of severity.

Francis Galton

Author of Hereditary Genius (1869) and 'Classification of Men According to their Natural Gifts,' who sparked the study of individual differences and cognitive heritability.

Wilhelm Wundt

Established the world's first psychological laboratory in 1879 at the University of Leipzig in Germany, attempting systematic measurement of intelligence based on physical reaction time.

Mental Test

A term coined by James McKeen Cattell in 1888 when establishing his assessment laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania.

Two-factor theory of intelligence

A theory proposed by Charles Spearman in 1904 consisting of a general factor $g$ and a specific factor $s$.

Binet-Simon Scale

The first 'intelligence tests' introduced in 1905 to screen French public school children; the 1908 revision introduced the concept of 'mental age.'

Mental Quotient

A term introduced by William Stern in 1912.

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

Published by Lewis Terman in 1916 as a revision and extension of the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale.

Army Alpha

A verbal group intelligence test developed by Robert Yerkes and colleagues for U.S. military recruits during World War I.

Army Beta

A non-verbal group intelligence test developed by Robert Yerkes and colleagues for U.S. military recruits during World War I.

Woodworth Personal Data Sheet

The first structured personality test, developed in 1917 during World War I.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A test developed by Henry Murray and Christina Morgan in 1935.

Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale

Introduced by David Wechsler in 1939, yielding scores for Verbal IQ, Performance IQ, and Full Scale IQ.

Mental Measurement Yearbook

A reference volume first published by Oscar Buros in 1939, updated every three years.

Standardized Test

A measurement instrument that involves a sample of behavior obtained under standardized conditions with established rules for scoring.

Tests of maximal performance

Instruments measuring the highest level an individual can perform based on potentials and abilities, such as intelligence, aptitude, or achievement tests.

Tests of typical performance

Instruments measuring how a person would typically behave in a situation, including personality, interests, values, and attitudes.

Cognitive instruments

Tests that assess abilities such as intellectual functioning, working memory, perceives, abstract reasoning, and logical thinking.

Affective instruments

Tests that assess emotional functioning, motives, temperaments, and non-cognitive aspects of personality.

Psychomotor instruments

Tests measuring physical skills such as finger dexterity, manual dexterity, and psychomotor speed.

Performance test

A test form where the examinee responds by manipulating objects like assembling blocks, arranging pictures, or putting a puzzle together.

Computer-adaptive testing

Also known as response-contingent or item-branched testing, where the administration is individualized or programmed based on examinee responses.

Level A Qualification

The minimum level of test user qualification requiring a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and licensure as a Psychometrician; includes objective tests.

Level C Qualification

The most stringent test user qualification level requiring a doctoral degree and licensure in Psychology; includes projective tests.

Psycho diagnosis

The use of tests to identify potential learning problems, pathology, or adjustment problems to plan remediation or treatment approaches.

Test Manual

A source providing detailed information on test development, psychometric properties, and limitations, often requiring professional documentation to purchase.