Psychological Testing
Definition of Terms
Assessment: the process of gathering information
Measurement: the process of assigning numbers
Evaluation: the process of determining worth of something based
on numbers
Testing: quantifying behavior by using a test (items, questions
that make up a test)
Test: a tool used to quantify behavior (e.g. personality, spelling,
ability, and interest test)
Psychological test
A psychological test is used to measure an individual’s different
abilities, such as their aptitude in a particular field, cognitive
functions like memory and spatial recognition, or even traits like
introvertedness. These tests are based on scientifically tested
psychological theories.
It contains a set of items designed to measure characteristics of
human behavior
Overt behavior: observable action
Covert behavior: takes place inside a person (cannot be directly
measured)
Psychological Assessment
A psychological assessment is gathering information to evaluate a
person’s behavior, character, strengths, and needs for the purpose
of diagnosing, setting goals, and recommending treatment,
A general approach that utilizes various sources of data (portfolio,
interviews, observations, etc in addition to a test) to make
decisions
Combines both qualitative (subjective )and quantitative
(objective) approach
Individualized and comprehensive
Tools of psychological
assessment
Test
Portfolio
Case history data
Observation
Role play
Technology (EEG, etc)
Interviews (panel)
Psychological Test
A psychological test is a standardized measure of a sample of a
person’s behavior that is used to measure the individual
differences that exist among people.
A psychological test is an objective and standardized measure of
an individual's mental and/or behavioral characteristics.
The main purpose of psychological testing is to gain a better
understanding of a person and her/his behavior.
Cont..
A psychological test is a systematic procedure for observing a
person’s behavior or performance, describing it with the aid of a
numerical scale or category system.
Mostly tests are used as a way of measuring differences between
people or differences in the same person over time.
Psychological testing
Psychological testing is a field characterized by the use of
samples of behavior, most often administered as a series of items
in which the individual must give a response, in order to assess
psychological construct(s), such as ability, cognitive and
emotional functioning, or personality.
Psychological testing is not one single test, but a series of
scientifically developed tests and procedures that assess various
aspects of a person’s psychological functioning
Goals of psychological testing
• The goals of psychological assessment are to better understand
a person’s strengths and weaknesses, identify potential
problems with cognitions, emotional reactivity, and make
recommendations for treatment/remediation.
• All types of psychological evaluations measure an individual’s
functioning at a specific point in time and provide a “snapshot”
of a person.
• Almost all psychological testing is administered by a licensed
psychologist (or trainee) and is a formal process that requires
extensive training and expertise. Psychologists are the only
professionals that are expertly trained in administering and
interpreting psychological tests.
Traits and States
Tests often try to measure traits and states
Traits: enduring predispositions
States: specific status of a person (e.g. mood,
situations)
Function of Psychological
Testing
Decision making: psychological tests can be used determining
promotion etc
Placement: place students and workers to different categories
(based on tests scores)
Administrative function
Diagnosis: identifying psychological problems, learning
difficulties, etc.
Research: using psychological tests for research purpose
Self-understanding and personal development
Participants in the Testing Process
Developers
Publishers
Reviewers
Users
Examiners
Takers
Scorers
interpreters
Psychological Assessment versus Psychological
Testing
Degree of complexity
Duration
Data sources
Focus
Qualifications for use
Procedural basis
Cost
Purpose
Degree of structure
Evaluation of results
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