Chapter 1-intro Flashcards
Test definition
Measurement device or technique used to quantify behavior or aid in the understanding and prediction of behavior.
- E.g. spelling test - measures how well someone spells/extent to which someone has learned how to spell
A test measures only a ______ of behavior.
SAMPLE
-> Error is always associated with a sampling process!
Item def
Specific stimulus to which a person responds overtly. (i.e. specific questions or problems that make up a test).
-> This response can be scored/evaluated (e.g., classified, graded on a scale, or counted).
Because psychological and educational tests are made up of ______, the data they produce are ______ and hence subject to scientific inquiry.
items, explicit
Psychological (or educational) test def
A standardized tool/instrument designed to measure a specific psychological attribute like personality traits, intelligence, or mental health status.
Overt behavior def
Individual’s observable activity
Covert behavior def
Takes place within an individual and cannot be directly observed (e.g. feelings/thoughts)
Scores on tests may be related to ______ or _______.
traits, state
Trait def
Enduring characteristics/tendencies to respond in a certain manner
State def
Specific condition or status of an individual
The meaning of the scores can change dramatically, depending on how a well-defined sample of individuals scores on a test.
How do psychologists deal with such problems?
Psychologists make use of scales, which relate raw scores on test items to some defined theoretical or empirical distribution
Individual test def
Test that can be given to only one person at a time.
Group test def
Can be administered to more than one person at a time by a single examiner
- E.g. when an instructor gives everyone in the class a test at the same time.
Test administrator (or examiner) def
Person giving the test
One can also categorize tests according to the _______________ they measure.
type of behavior
2 main categories of tests
Ability tests vs Personality tests
Ability test def
Measure skills in terms of speed, accuracy, or both.
=> The faster or the more accurate your responses, the better your scores on a particular characteristic.
What are the 3 types of ability tests?
Achievement, Aptitude and Intelligence tests
Achievement test def
Measures previous learning.
- E.g. A test that measures or evaluates how many words you can spell correctly is called a spelling achievement test.
Aptitude test def
Measures potential for acquiring a specific skill.
- A spelling aptitude test measures how many words you might be able to spell given a certain amount of training, education, and experience.
Intelligence test def
Measures potential to solve problems, adapt to changing circumstances, and profit from experience.
In view of the considerable overlap of achievement, aptitude, and intelligence tests, all three concepts are encompassed by the term________.
human ability
Personality test def
Measure TYPICAL behavior - traits, temperament, and dispositions.
- E.g. Remaining isolated from others, for instance, does not require any special skill or ability, but some people typically prefer or tend to remain thus isolated.
Types of personality tests
Structured (objective) and Projective tests
Structured personality tests def
Provides a self-report statement which require the subject to choose between two or more alternative responses such as “True” or “False”; “Yes” or “No”.
Projective personality tests def
Either the stimulus (test materials) or the required response—or both—are ambiguous, unclear.
- E.g. Rorschach test (inkblot)
Projective tests assume that ________________________________ will reflect his or her unique characteristics.
a person’s interpretation of an ambiguous stimulus
Psychological testing def
Refers to all the possible uses, applications, and underlying concepts of psychological and educational tests.
Main use of psychological tests
Evaluate INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES or variations among individuals.
Reliability def
Degree to which test scores are FREE OF MEASUREMENT ERRORS.
-> There are many ways a test can be reliable (e.g., test results may be reliable over time).
Validity def
Degree to which a certain inference or interpretation based on a test is appropriate.
-> “What does this psychological test measure?”
Psychological test def
A standardized tool/instrument designed to measure a specific psychological attribute. Measurement instrument.
E.g. personality traits, intelligence, or mental health status.
A psychological test must be (3)
(1) Objective: reflect reality - not what we want reality to be
(2) Reliable: provide us with the same reading anytime, use instrument under the same conditions
(3) Valid: measure what we want to measure
How do Psychological Tests differ from Other Measurement Tools? (2)
(1) Focus on intangible, theoretical CONSTRUCTS (e.g. psychological attributes) unlike tools measuring physical properties (e.g. rules, scales).
(2) For most of them, you need to have some SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE for proper interpretation unlike physical measurements (e.g. ruler).
Construct def
Unobservable, theoretical abstract concept. Measured indirectly through behaviours, responses or test results
E.g. intelligence, anxiety, self-esteem
Defining Characteristics of Psychological Tests (5)
(1) Representative SAMPLE behaviors
(2) OBSERVABLE and MEASURABLE actions
(3) Thought to measure a PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE
(4) Behavioral samples obtained under STANDARDIZED conditions
(5) Have results for SCORING.
A construct is hypothesized to explain _________________________________
the covariation between observed behaviors
Similarity between psychological tests
All require a person to perform a behavior.
Differences between psychological tests (6)
(1) Behavior performed
(2) Construct measured and outcome predicted
(3) Content
(4) Administration and format
(5) Scoring and interpretation
(6) Psychometric quality
Kinds of Purposes for Testing (4)
(1) Classification
(2) Promoting Self- Understanding and Self-Improvement
(3) Planning, Evaluation and Modification of Treatments and Programs
(4) Scientific Inquiry
Kinds of Purposes for Testing: Classification
Classifying people in categories.
-> Diagnosis
-> Selection (e.g. selecting people for certain jobs)
Huge implications.
Example of a test promoting Self- Understanding and Self-Improvement
Holland’s Vocational Preference Inventory
Kinds of Purposes for Testing: Scientific Inquiry
Quantification & Hypothesis testing + Reducing Type II error (noise in data)
