Assumption in Psychological Testing Flashcards
Psychological traits are temporary patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that change based on the situation.
False
Explanation: Traits are stable and enduring patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, while states are temporary and context-dependent
Q2: Psychological constructs cannot be directly measured but are inferred from observable behaviors.
A: True
Explanation: Constructs are abstract concepts that represent specific aspects of behavior, emotion, or cognition and are inferred from observable actions or responses
Q3: Psychological traits can only be defined by one universal method.
A: False
Explanation: Definitions of traits may vary; for example, aggression can be measured through self-reports or observed behaviors, depending on the test developer’s approach
Q4: Cumulative scoring is used to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s abilities or traits.
A: True
Explanation: Cumulative scoring aggregates multiple data points to give a holistic view of an individual’s performance
Q5: Test-related behavior can always perfectly predict non-test-related behavior.
A: False
Explanation: Tests provide samples of behavior that may predict non-test behavior under certain conditions but are not perfect predictors
Q6: Systematic errors in testing occur randomly and without any consistent pattern.
A: False
Explanation: Systematic errors are consistent and may skew results in a specific direction, unlike random and unpredictable errors
Q7: Social desirability bias can affect the accuracy of psychological assessments.
A: True
Explanation: Response biases, such as social desirability, occur when test-takers provide answers they believe are socially acceptable rather than accurate
Q8: Norms refer to the performance data of a particular group used to interpret individual test scores.
A: True
Explanation: Norms are derived from a representative sample and are used as benchmarks to evaluate individual test results
Q9: Convenience sampling ensures that the sample is representative of the population.
Explanation: Convenience sampling is based on availability and accessibility, which does not guarantee representativeness
Q10: Standardization ensures that a psychological test is validated and reliable.
A: False
Explanation: Standardization establishes norms for interpreting scores, but validation and reliability involve separate processes to ensure the test measures what it claims and is consistent
The Likert scale is commonly used to measure attitudes by having respondents indicate their level of agreement with statements.
True
Explanation: The Likert scale is widely used for measuring attitudes and involves a scale ranging from strong agreement to strong disagreement
Double-barreled questions are recommended when writing items for a psychological test.
A: False
Explanation: Double-barreled questions, which ask about two different things in one item, should be avoided to ensure clarity and accuracy in assessments
Type I error occurs when a psychological test fails to detect an actual mental health disorder.
False
Explanation: A Type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is incorrectly rejected, meaning the test indicates a disorder when there is none. Failing to detect an actual disorder is a Type II error
Stratified sampling ensures the sample represents the diversity of the entire population by dividing participants into subgroups.
True
Explanation: Stratified sampling divides the population into subgroups (e.g., age, gender) to ensure representation in the sample
Q15: Perfect Conditions Fallacy assumes that testing conditions are always ideal, leading to potential inaccuracies in assessment results.
A: True
Explanation: The Perfect Conditions Fallacy arises when assessors overlook real-world factors like distractions, illness, or fatigue that may affect performance
