Cultural and Legal/ Ethical Considerations

Culture

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

Alfred Binet

Who introduced intelligence testing in France?

Immigration

How did the U.S. Public Health Service use Binet's test?

cultural and laguage

What concern did Goddard raise about intelligence testing?

interpreter, bilingual psychologist

How did Goddard administer tests to immigrants?

mentally deficient

Goddard’s testing of immigrants revealed that most immigrants appeared ______________ according to the test results.

Henry H. Goddard

Who was responsible for introducing Binet’s test in the United States?

environmental deprivation

Goddard wondered whether the results were due to hereditary defect or apparent defect caused by _____________

overestimated

major flaw in testing process of the translated Binet test is it _______________ mental deficiency, even among native English speakers.

cultural variable

One way that early test developers attempted to deal with the impact of language and culture on tests of mental ability was to isolate the ___________

Culture specific test

Tests that are designed for use with people from one culture but not from another

To ensure accurate understanding and valid assessment results.

Why is it important for the examiner and examinee to speak the same language during assessment?

Differences in dialect can lead to miscommunication and affect test results.

What issue may arise even when examiner and examinee speak the same language?

What must a testtaker be able to do if a test includes written instructions?

Read and comprehend the written material.

The assessee may not fully understand the instructions or test items.

What happens when assessment is conducted in a language that is not the assessee’s primary language?

The use of rare vocabulary or unfamiliar idioms.

What increases the risk of misunderstanding in cross-cultural assessments?

Words may change meaning in translation, and translators may lack understanding of mental health concepts.

What problems can arise when a translator is used during assessment?

Assessors may have limited experience working with translators, affecting assessment accuracy.

What difficulty may arise for assessors working with translators?

Through verbal or nonverbal cues during the interview or assessment.

How can an examiner know if the examinee’s language ability is insufficient?

Tests may include culture-specific material that disadvantages those unfamiliar with that culture.

How can cultural bias affect test content?

The testtaker’s familiarity with the culture the test is based on.

What does test performance reflect aside from the intended psychological traits?

Body language and behavioral norms differ from one culture to another.

How can nonverbal communication vary across cultures?

A child may seem noncommunicative due to cultural norms that discourage speaking to adults unless spoken to.

Give an example of how culture affects verbal responses in assessment.

To interpret responses accurately and avoid misjudgments based on cultural misunderstandings.

Why must test users be knowledgeable about the assessee’s culture?

Judgments about behavior and psychological traits vary depending on cultural norms.

How are standards of evaluation culturally relative?

The prevailing societal and cultural standards.

What influences whether behavior is seen as masculine, feminine, or pathological?

Some cultures are individualistic while others are collectivist, affecting how behavior is expressed and interpreted.

How do cultures differ in values that affect assessment interpretation?

Verbal communication, nonverbal communication, Standards of evaluation

Some Issues regarding Culture and Assessment

ethics

A body of principles about right, proper, or good conduct.

Code of Professional Ethics

A set of standards recognized by professionals that defines the level of care and conduct expected in the field.

standard of care

The level at which the average, reasonable, and prudent professional would provide services under similar conditions.

APA’s “Ethical Standards for the Distribution of Psychological Tests and Diagnostic Aids.”

What document outlines qualifications for psychological test users?

Level A

Tests that can be administered and interpreted using the manual, e.g., achievement or proficiency tests.

Level B

Tests that require technical knowledge of testing and psychology, e.g., aptitude tests and adjustment inventories.

Level C

Tests requiring advanced understanding and supervised experience, e.g., projective and individual mental tests.

to ensure the accuracy, fairness, and ethical integrity of the assessment process

Why must only qualified professionals conduct certain assessments?

Tests may need to be adapted based on the nature of the disability, and some items may not be translatable.

How does disability affect psychological test administration?

Test items that rely on artwork analysis.

Give an example of a non-translatable test item for someone blind.

informed consent

The testtaker's full understanding and voluntary agreement to be tested.

Choice to participate, factual understanding, reasoning ability, and appreciation of the situation.

What are components of informed consent?

Sometimes, depending on their condition and level of understanding.

Can individuals with mental illness give informed consent?

A parent or legal representative.

Who provides consent if a person is deemed incompetent?

Written form, specifying purpose, reason, and types of tests.

In what form must informed consent be given?

To be informed in understandable language about findings and recommendations.

What rights do testtakers have regarding test results?

Purpose, score meaning compared to others, limitations, and possible errors.

What should a test user explain about scores?

A qualified professional.

Who should answer follow-up questions about test results?

right to privacy

The individual's freedom to control when and how personal information is shared.

privileged information

Legally protected information that cannot be disclosed in legal proceedings without consent.

confidentiality

The ethical obligation to keep information between client and psychologist private.

If disclosure prevents serious harm (e.g., intent to commit homicide).

When can a psychologist break confidentiality?

In locked cabinets or secure digital systems with controlled access.

How should test data be stored?

Policies on data storage duration, access, and retirement of outdated records.

What should institutions have regarding test records?

The obligation to use respectful, minimally damaging terms when reporting results.

What is the right to the least stigmatizing label?

Achievement tests and proficiency tests (e.g., spelling, reading comprehension tests).

What are common examples of Level A tests?

Aptitude tests, adjustment inventories, and personality assessments for normal populations.

What are examples of Level B tests?

Projective tests (e.g., Rorschach, TAT), and individual intelligence tests (e.g., WAIS, WISC).

What are examples of Level C tests?

The test publisher, based on APA guidelines and the complexity of test use.

Who determines the level of a psychological test?

Teachers, counselors, human resource personnel, and others with general training in administration and use of basic tests.

Who can administer Level A psychological tests?

Ability to read and follow the manual, plus general orientation to the setting in which the test is being used.

What kind of training is typically required for Level A test users?

Individuals with some formal training in psychology, education, or related fields — such as school psychologists, guidance counselors, and some psychometricians.

Who can administer and interpret Level B psychological tests?

Knowledge of psychological principles, test construction, statistics, measurement, and individual differences.

What background is expected of a Level B test user?

Licensed or certified psychologists, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other professionals with advanced degrees and supervised experience.

Who is qualified to use Level C psychological tests?

A doctoral or master’s degree in psychology or related fields, plus formal training and supervised practice in assessment.

What educational background is typically required for Level C users?

Supervised experience in administering, scoring, and interpreting complex psychological tests, especially in clinical or diagnostic contexts.

What experience must a Level C test user have?

Only under direct supervision of a qualified professional (e.g., a licensed psychologist).

Can a non-psychologist administer a Level C test?

To ensure ethical use, protect testtakers from harm, and maintain validity and reliability of test results.

Why must professionals be qualified to use certain tests?