2.6 Assumptions in Psychological Testing & Assessment

Assumption 1: Psychological Traits and States Exists

Assumption 2: Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

Assumption 3: Test-Retest Behavior Predicts Non-Test Related Behavior

Assumption 4: Test and Other Measurement Techniques have Strengths and Weaknesses

Assumption 5: Various Sources of Error are Part of Assessment Process

Assumption 6: Testing and Assessment can be Conducted in a Fair and Unbiased Manner

Assumption 7: Testing and Assessment Benefit Society

Assumptions in Testing

Trait

Any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from another

Psychological Traits

Traits such as intelligence, specific intellectual abilities, cognitive style, adjustment, attitude, sexual orientation and preferences, psychopathology, specific-, and general personality traits

State

Distinguishes one person from another but relatively less enduring and state-dependent

Cumulative Scoring

Scoring in which the more the test taker responds in a particular direction as keyed by the test manual as correct or consistent with particular trait, the higher the test taker is presumed to be on the targeted ability or trait

Domain Sampling

Involves sampling behavior (test items) from all possible behaviors (items) that could conceivably be indicative of a particular construct

Postdict

Estimate or suppose something which took place in the past

Predict

Say or estimate what (a specific thing) will happen in the future or will be consequence of something

Error

Something that is more than expected. A long-standing assumption that factors other than what a test attempts to measure will influence performance on the test

Error Variance

Component of a test score that occurs unexpectedly

Assumption 1: Psychological Tests Measure What They Purport to Measure or Predict What They are Intended to Predict

Assumption 2: An Individual’s Behavior, and therefore Test Scores, will typically remain Stable Over Time

Assumption 3: Individuals Understand Test Items the Same Way

Assumption 4: Individuals Will Report Accurately About Themselves

Assumption 5: Individuals Will Report Honestly their Thoughts and Feelings

Assumption 6: The test score an individual receives is equal to his or her true score plus some error, and this error may be attributable to the test itself, the examiner, the examinee, or the environment

Assumptions in Psychological Tests