Psychological Assessment

Module 1-5

Psychological testing

The use of standardized tests and assessments to measure various aspects of an individual's psychological functioning.

Psychological assessment

The broader process of gathering and interpreting information about an individual's psychological functioning, which may include psychological testing as well as other methods such as interviews and observations.

Methods of assessment

The different approaches and techniques used to gather information about an individual's psychological functioning, including tests, interviews, observations, and self-report inventories.

Parties involved in using testing

The individuals or groups who are involved in the administration, interpretation, and utilization of psychological tests, such as psychologists, researchers, educators, and clinicians.

Settings that utilize testing and assessment

The various contexts and environments where psychological testing and assessment are commonly used, such as schools, clinics, research institutions, and workplaces.

Charles Darwin

A 19th-century scientist who proposed the theory of natural selection and sparked scientific interest in individual differences, which influenced the development of psychological testing and assessment.

Francis Galton

A half cousin of Charles Darwin who made significant contributions to the field of measurement and developed various tools of psychological assessment, such as questionnaires, rating scales, and self-report inventories.

Wilhelm Wundt

The founder of the first psychological laboratory and an important figure in the early development of psychological testing and assessment, particularly in the areas of reaction time, perception, and attention span.

James McKeen Cattell

A student of Wilhelm Wundt who coined the term "mental test" and conducted research on individual differences, inspired by the work of Francis Galton.

Alfred Binet

A psychologist who collaborated with Theodore Simon to develop the first intelligence test, known as the Binet-Simon Scale, which aimed to identify mentally retarded schoolchildren in Paris.

David Wechsler

A psychologist who introduced a test designed to measure adult intelligence, known as the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale, which was later revised and renamed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.1. Group intelligence test:A test devised by Binet and introduced in the US during WWI to screen the intellectual ability of recruits.

Measurement of Personality

The need to assess the intellectual functioning and general adjustment of recruits during WWI led to the development of measures such as the Woodworth Psychoneurotic Inventory.

Projective test

A type of test where individuals project their unique needs, fears, hopes, and motivations onto ambiguous stimuli.

Rorschach Inkblot test

The most well-known projective test, developed by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach.

Psychological testing

The process of measuring psychology-related variables using devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior.

Test

A measurement device or technique used to quantify behavior or aid in the understanding and prediction of behavior.

Interview

A method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange.

Portfolio

Work products retained on various mediums (paper, canvass, film, etc.) used as a tool for assessment.

Case history data

Records, transcripts, and other accounts that preserve relevant information about an assessee.

Behavioral observation

Monitoring the actions of others or oneself while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information.

Role playing

Acting out a simulated situation to assess thoughts, behaviors, abilities, and other variables.

Computer as tools

Computers play a role in contemporary assessment by generating simulations and aiding in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests.

Test developer

Individuals or organizations that create tests or other methods of assessment.

Test user

Professionals such as clinicians, counselors, psychologists, and human resources personnel who utilize psychological tests for various purposes.1. Test taker:anyone who is the subject of an assessment or evaluation

Society at large

as society evolves, test developers respond by devising new tests

Other parties

organizations, companies, governmental agencies as sponsors; people responsible for marketing and sales of tests; academicians who review tests and evaluate their psychometric soundness

Educational setting

where school ability tests, achievement tests, diagnostic tests, and informal evaluations are conducted

Clinical setting

where tests or tools are used to help screen for or diagnose behavior problems

Counseling setting

aims to improve the assessee's adjustment, productivity, or some related variable; includes measures of social and academic skills, personality, interest, attitudes, and values

Geriatric setting

evaluates cognitive, psychological, adaptive, or other functioning

Business and military setting

tests are used in decision-making about careers of personnel

Governmental and organizational credentializing

tests are used for credentialing purposes

Test catalogues

contain brief descriptions of tests but may not provide detailed technical information

Test manuals

detailed information concerning the development and technical aspects of a particular test

Reference volumes

provide detailed information for each test listed, including test publisher, test author, test purpose, intended test population, and test administration time

Journal articles

may contain reviews of tests, updated or independent studies of their psychometric soundness, or examples of how the instrument was used in research or applied contexts

Online databases

a source of authoritative information on tests

Classification

the assigning of a person from one category to another

Placement

sorting individuals into different programs appropriate to their needs and skills

Screening

quick and simple tests or procedures to identify persons with special characteristics or traits

Selection

choosing what or who is better for a particular situation

Diagnosis and treatment planning

using psychological tests to determine the nature and source of abnormal behavior and classify behavior patterns1. Self-knowledge:Test results can help individuals gain a better understanding of themselves.

Program evaluation

Tests can be used to evaluate the success of a program.

Level A

Straightforward paper-and-pencil measures that can be administered, scored, and interpreted with minimal training.

Level B

Tests that require knowledge of test construction, statistics, and psychology, typically requiring advanced training.

Level C

Tests that require a substantial understanding of testing and supporting topics, typically only available to individuals with a minimum of a master's degree in psychology or a related field.

Control of psychological tests

Professional standards require that tests can only be released to individuals who have the necessary knowledge and skills for their effective use and interpretation.

Security of materials

Efforts to restrict the distribution of tests aim to maintain the security of test materials.

Culture

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

Ethical practice

Conducting psychological assessment in a way that aligns with moral principles and standards.

Ethical standards

Guidelines and principles that govern the practice of testing and assessment.

Psychological tests

Tools and measures used to assess an individual's thoughts, behaviors, and abilities.

Code of Ethics for Philippine Psychologists and Psychometricians

A set of ethical guidelines specifically designed for psychologists and psychometricians in the Philippines.

Cultural factors

Aspects of culture that may influence the ethical practice of psychological assessment.

Regulation

The need to establish rules and guidelines to govern the use of psychological tests.

Ethical decision-making

The process of making moral choices and judgments in the practice of testing and assessment.

Henry H

A psychologist who played a role in introducing Binet's test and questioned its meaningfulness when used with people from different cultural and language backgrounds.

Binet test

A test developed by Alfred Binet to measure intelligence.

Cultural variable

The influence of culture on test performance and results.

Culture-specific tests

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

SB Intelligence scale

An intelligence test developed in 1937 and 1960.

Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale

A widely used intelligence test.

Bias

The presence of unfair or discriminatory elements in a test that may disadvantage certain groups based on race, gender, or culture.

Verbal communication

The use of language in assessment, which can be affected by factors such as vocabulary, idioms, and translation.

Translator

A person who assists in the assessment process by translating test materials or facilitating communication between the assessor and the testtaker.

Oral exchange

An interaction between the assessor and the testtaker that involves spoken language.

Language deficit

Difficulties or limitations in language skills that may impact the assessment process.

Nonverbal means

Communication methods other than spoken language, such as body language or facial expressions.1. Miscommunication:The lack of understanding or clarity in communication between the examiner and examinee, which can lead to consequential effects on test results.

Dialect

Differences in language variation or regional accents that can contribute to miscommunication and affect test results.

Proficiency in English

The level of skill or ability in the English language that is required for the test taker, and whether they possess that level of proficiency.

Trained interpreter

An individual who is proficient in both the test language and the examinee's language, and can facilitate meaningful assessment through interpretation.

Cultural content

The items and material in tests that are influenced by a particular culture, including both obvious and subtle references.

Nonverbal communication

The messages conveyed through body language, which can vary across different cultures.

Cultural knowledge

The understanding and awareness of an assessee's culture that is relevant to the assessment, which is important for test users.

Cultural relativism

The idea that judgments related to certain psychological traits are influenced by cultural norms and standards.

Laws

Rules that individuals must obey for the benefit of society as a whole, including laws related to testing and assessment.

Ethics

Principles of right, proper, or good conduct that guide the behavior of professionals in a particular field, such as psychological assessment.

Standard of care

The level at which an average, reasonable, and prudent professional would provide diagnostic or therapeutic services under similar conditions.

Public misunderstanding

Lack of understanding or misconceptions about psychological assessment among the general public, which can lead to fear, anger, and regulatory actions.

Concerns about test quality

Expressions of worry or apprehension about the accuracy and reliability of tests being administered.

Test-user qualifications

The qualifications or criteria for individuals who are allowed to purchase and use psychological test materials.1. Ethical Standards for the Distribution of Psychological Tests and Diagnostic Aids:A report published by the APA Committee on Ethical Standards for Psychology that defines three levels of tests based on the required knowledge of testing and psychology.

Level A

Tests or aids that can be administered, scored, and interpreted with the aid of the manual and a general orientation to the institution or organization.

Level B

Tests or aids that require technical knowledge of test construction and use, as well as knowledge of supporting psychological and educational fields.

Level C

Tests and aids that require substantial understanding of testing and supporting psychological fields, along with supervised experience in their use.

Testing people with disabilities

Challenges faced when testing individuals with disabling conditions, including transforming the test into a suitable form, transforming responses for scoring, and meaningful interpretation of test data.

Computer-assisted psychological assessment (CAPA)

The use of computer technology for test administration, scoring, and interpretation.

Access to test administration, scoring, and interpretation software

The issue of unauthorized copying and duplication of computer-administered tests.

Comparability of pencil-and-paper and computerized versions of tests

The need for research on the comparability of traditional and computerized forms of tests.

Value of computerized test interpretations

The questionable value of computerized scoring and interpretation procedures.

Unprofessional, unregulated "psychological testing" online

Concerns about the long-term effects of online sites offering psychological tests that do not meet professional standards.

The right of informed consent

Testtakers have the right to know why they are being evaluated, how the test data will be used, and what information will be released to whom.

The right to be informed of test findings

Testtakers have the right to be informed of the nature of the findings and recommendations based on the test data.

The right to privacy and confidentiality

Testtakers have the right to privacy and confidentiality regarding their test results and personal information.

The right to the least stigmatizing label

Testtakers have the right to be labeled in a way that minimizes stigma.1. Stigmatizing labels:Labels that are assigned when reporting test results in a way that minimizes stigma.

Code of Ethics for Psychologists

A set of guidelines that outlines the ethical standards and principles that psychologists should adhere to in their professional practice.

General Principles

Aspirational guidelines that describe the ideal level of ethical functioning for psychologists.

Ethical Standards

Enforceable rules of conduct that psychologists must follow, violation of which can result in ethical violations.

Competence

The obligation of clinicians to present themselves accurately and only engage in treatment or assessment procedures for which they have specific training or supervised experience.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The ethical duty of clinicians to respect and protect the confidentiality of client information.

Tarasoff case

A legal case that raised questions about the extent of confidentiality in therapy and the duty of psychologists to protect potential victims of their clients.