Assumptions about Psychological Testing and Assessment Flashcards
Psychological Traits and States Exist
Assumption 1
any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from another
Trait
intelligence, specific intellectual abilities, cognitive style, adjustment, interests, attitudes, sexual orientation and preferences, psychopathology, etc.
Psychological Trait
– distinguish one person from another but are relatively less enduring
States
Characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that generalize across similar situations, differ systematically between individuals, and remain rather stable across time
Trait
Permit people predict the present from the past
Trait
Characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving in a concrete situation at a specific moment in time
States
Identify those behaviors that can be controlled by manipulating the situation
States
an informed, scientific concept developed or constructed to explain a behavior, inferred from overt behavior
Construct
an observable action or the product of an observable action
Overt Behavior
Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured
Assumption 2
assumption that the more the testtaker responds in a particular direction keyed by the test manual as correct or consistent with a particular trait, the higher that testtaker is presumed to be on the targeted ability or trait
Cumulative Scoring
The tasks in some tests mimics the actual behaviors that the test user is attempting to understand
Assumption 3: Test-Rlated Behavior Predicts Non-Test-Related Behavior
Test-Related Behavior Predicts Non-Test-Related Behavior
Assumption 3
Competent test users understand and appreciate the limitations of the test they use as well as how those limitations might be compensated for by data from other sources
Assumption 4: Test and Other Measurement Techniques have strengths and weaknesses
Various Sources of Error are part of the Assessment Process
Assumption 5
refers to something that is more than expected; it is component of the measurement process
Error
Refers to a long-standing assumption that factors other than what a test attempts to measure will influence performance on the test
Assumption 5: Various Sources of Error are part of the Assessment Process
– the component of a test score attributable to sources other than the trait or ability measured
Error Variance
Potential Sources of error variance
ASMEARA
1. Assessors
2. Measuring Instruments
3. Random errors such as luck
each testtaker has true score on a test that would be obtained but for the action of measurement error
Classical Test Theory
Despite best efforts of many professionals, fairness-related questions and problems do occasionally rise
Assumption 6: Testing and Assessment can be conducted in a Fair and Unbiased Manner
Considering the many critical decisions that are based on testing and assessment procedures, we can readily appreciate the need for tests
Assumption 7: Testing and Assessment Benefit Society
