Ch. 1 - Intro

Question 1

assessment center approach

Answer 1

using an innovative variety of evaluative tools along with data from the evaluations of highly trained assessors (for personnel evaluation)

Question 2

psychological assessment

Answer 2

the gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tols such as tests, case studies, interviews, behavioral observation.

Question 3

psychological testing

Answer 3

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

Question 4

how does assessment typically begin?

Answer 4

with a referral with one or more referral question. it uses more than one source of data. focuses more on how an individual processes rather than a numerical outcome. assessor uses knowledge to select tools and evaluate the outcome

Question 5

collaborative assessment

Answer 5

assessor and client work together

Question 6

dynamic assessment

Answer 6

interactive, varying, and changing. often has intervention between pre- and post-test. you find how the individual has changed/benefitted from some intervention

Question 7

therapeutic assessment (who?)

Answer 7

Stephen Finn - rather than viewing tests as a way to compare people to a standardized group, use test as an opportunity to have a dialogue with clients about patterns in responding. a way to increase empathy. assessor may stop testing to share observations. may test in “unusual” ways

Question 8

psychometrics

Answer 8

the science of psychological measurement

Question 9

alternate assessment

Answer 9

an evaluative procedure or process that differs from the standardized or “usual” way measurement is derived. not necessarily equivalent. done to accomodate for testtakers with disabilities

Question 10

test user

Answer 10

the person administering the test

Question 11

informal assessment - concerns and benefits

Answer 11

concerns: reliability, validity, cross-cultural issues
benefits: add more info to the overall assessment, gathers specific info, quick, non-intrustive and non-threatening, free, easy to administer and interpret

Question 12

observation - types and who does it

Answer 12

naturalistic (viewing the behavior in the setting in which it typically would be expected to occur). controlled (office or lab). Done by professionals, client, significant others (e.g. spouse)

Question 13

most assessments will have ___ as part of the process? What are the test users interested in?

Answer 13

clinical interview. interviewer is interested in non-verbal AND answers to questions. may be focused or broad

Question 14

CAPA vs CAT

Answer 14

Computer-Assisted Psychological Assessment vs. Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT tailors a test, CAPA just uses a comp)

Question 15

what do classification systems do?

Answer 15

provide information about whether or not an individual has or doesn’t have certain attributes or characteristics

Question 16

Behavior and Feeling Word Checklist

Answer 16

person IDs words best describing their feelings or behaviors. a classifcation system.

Question 17

Sociometric Instruments

Answer 17

maps relative position of individual within a group. Often used to determine the dynamics of individuals within a group. a classification system

Question 18

Situational Tests

Answer 18

reall-to-life situations to examine how an individual is likely to respond in a contrived but natural situation (e.g. role-playing a counselor before admitted to a program)

Question 19

achievement test

Answer 19

evaluates accomplishment or the degree of learning that has taken place

Question 20

protocol

Answer 20

the form, sheet, or booklet on which a testtaker’s responses are entered (can also be used to describe the procedures of a test)

Question 21

rating scale

Answer 21

used to assess a quantity of an attribute. are subjective. the assessment is based on the rater’s “inner judgment”

Question 22

Halo effect

Answer 22

a type of error often associated with rating scales. rating people based on overall impression (rate your great intern highly on everything even though she’s horrible at being on time)

Question 23

Generosity error

Answer 23

a type of error often associated with rating scales. Only using the “good” side of the scale

Question 24

what is the purpose of records and personal documents in assessment?

Answer 24

can help an examiner understand the beliefs, values, and behaviors of a person being assessed. often obtained from client, parents, or institutions

Question 25

when making important decisions about a person, what shouldn’t you use?

Answer 25

informal assessment. can still be used as an important addition to a broader assessment battery!