Commonly Used Psychological Tests

Question 1

What are the 5 factors within the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, and who was it modelled off?

Answer 1

Based upon the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Model of Intelligence (hierarchical model).

1. Fluid Reasoning (intelligence)
2. Knowledge (crystallised intelligence)
3. Quantitative reasoning (numeric ability)
4. Visual-spatial reasoning
5. Working memory (short-term)

Question 2

How do you interpret the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale?

Answer 2

55-69: Mildly Impaired
90-109: Average
130-144: Gifted

Question 3

What is the WPPSI-IV?

Answer 3

WPPSI-IV: Wechsler Pre-School and Primary Scale of Intelligence (4th Edition) - For 3-7 year olds

Question 4

What is the WISC-V?

Answer 4

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (5th Edition) - For 6-16 year olds

Question 5

What is the WAIS-IV?

Answer 5

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (4th Edition) - For 16 years upwards

Question 6

What is the WASI-II?

Answer 6

Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (2nd Edition) - 30 minute and 15 minute versions

Question 7

Which of the Wechsler tests have the most overlap?

Answer 7

WPPSI-IV
WISC-V
WAIS-IV

Question 8

What are the five primary scores on the WISC-V?

Answer 8

Verbal comprehension
Visual perceptual
Fluid reasoning
Working memory
Processing speed

These can be combined to form a measure of general intellectual functioning (Full Scale IQ). The tests can be given on a pair of linked iPads.

Question 9

How do you interpret the WISC-V?

Answer 9

< 69: Extremely low
90-109: Average
> 130: Very superior

Question 10

What is the Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM) test?

Answer 10

A non-verbal group ability test delivered for ages 5 and upward. Language is not required, and it was designed to assess military recruits independent of educational factors.

Question 11

What evidence is there that the RPM is a valid measure?

Answer 11

Correlates with other aptitude tests and to a lesser degree with academic ability (though correlations not high)

Question 12

What is the version of the RPM used for the general population?

Answer 12

Standard Progressive Matrices

Question 13

What is the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT)?

Answer 13

A multiple choice test for people aged between 2 and upward that only requires a pointing response. It provides a rough measure of IQ for people who may not be able to do the Binet or Wechsler tests, although it is not a substitute.

Question 14

When might the PPVT be inappropriate to deliver?

Answer 14

When the participant is unable to hear.

Question 15

What are the psychometric properties of the PPVT?

Answer 15

Reliability (alternative forms: .87 - .93, internal consistency: .96 - .97, test-retest coefficients: .92 - .96)

Content Validity (all words in the dictionary)

Empirical Validity:
1. Test scores increase with age as predicted
2. Convergent validity (correlates well with other established vocabulary tests)
3. Special populations were found to score as expected (mental retardation, developmental delay, autism and language disorder)

Question 16

What is the test interpretation for the Neale Analysis, and what does it measure?

Answer 16

Measures oral reading, comprehension and fluency of non-special needs students aged 6 to 12 years.

Test administrator notes down any errors and how long the child took to read it (gives measures of reading accuracy, reading rate and comprehension).

Question 17

What is the WIAT-III?

Answer 17

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test

“Assists you in identifying the academic strengths and weaknesses of a student; informing decisions regarding eligibility for educational services, educational placement, or diagnosis of a specific learning disability; and designing instructional objectives and planning intervention”

Question 18

What tests are included in the WIAT-III?

Answer 18

Word reading, text comprehension, maths problem solving, oral expression, writing fluency, spelling, sentence composition

Question 19

How was the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire created?

Answer 19

Cattell reviewed earlier work which identified 18000 names for personality traits.

Got people to rate just distinguishable differences between words, which narrowed it down to 171 trait names.

Factor analysis narrowed it down to 36.

Further research narrowed to 16 basic traits - YET some of them are intercorrelated.

Question 20

What factors are in the Big Five?

Answer 20

1. Openness to experience
2. Conscientiousness
3. Extroversion
4. Agreeableness
5. Neuroticism

OCEAN

Question 21

What are some characteristics of the NEO-PI-3

Answer 21

It has 240 items, takes 30-40 minutes, uses T-scores, has different self-report and observer rating versions

Question 22

What is the definition of Neuroticism as per the NEO-PI-3?

Answer 22

Degree to which a person is anxious and insecure as opposed to calm and self-confident

Question 23

What is the definition of Extroversion as per the NEO-PI-3?

Answer 23

Degree to which a person is sociable, leader-like, and assertive as opposed to withdrawn, quiet and reserved.

Question 24

What is the definition of Openness to Experience as per the NEO-PI-3?

Answer 24

Degree to which a person is imaginative and curious, as opposed to concrete-minded and narrow in thinking

Question 25

What is the definition of Agreeableness as per the NEO-PI-3?

Answer 25

Degree to which a person is warm and cooperative as as opposed to unpleasant and disagreeable.

Question 26

What is the definition of Conscientiousness as per the NEO-PI-3?

Answer 26

Degree to which a person is persevering, responsible, and organised as opposed to lazy, irresponsible and impulsive

Question 27

What is the MMPI?

Answer 27

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Example of a comprehensive personality test designed to diagnose abnormal/clinical groups (most frequently used test by neuropsychologists)

Uses criterion groups method of development (empirical criterion keying)

Question 28

How was the MMPI created?

Answer 28

1. Created a large pool of items
2. Gave the preliminary questionnaire to several groups of psychiatric inpatients and controls
3. Used item analysis to choose the items that discriminate best between groups
4. Standardised test using a control group
5. More recent versions have refined the question set using other methods (inspecting content, convergent and divergent validity)

Question 29

What are the eight criterion groups from the MMPI?

Answer 29

1. Demoralisation
2. Somatic Complaints
3. Low Positive Emotions
4. Antisocial Behaviour
5. Ideas of Persecution
6. Dysfunctional Negative Emotions
7. Aberrant Experiences
8. Hypomanic Activation

Question 30

What are the validity scales in the MMPI-3, and what do they mean?

Answer 30

Inconsistent Responding Indicators: detect people who are not processing the question content or taking test seriously

Over-reporting Indicators: detect people who may be faking bad

Under-reporting Indicators: detect people who may be faking good

Question 31

What is some evidence that the MMPI-3 Validity Scales do work?

Answer 31

Over-reporting in a sample of forensic disability claimants instructed to simulate exaggerated reporting of symptoms.

Over-reporting in college students claiming they had ADHD to get accommodations for their classes.

Over-reporting in college in effort to not be doing criminally responsible for a serious crime.

Under-reporting in a public safety sample where people conducting pre-employment psychological assessment for a desirable job position they wanted.

Question 32

What are the psychometric properties of the MMPI-3?

Answer 32

Reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability - both high)

Construct Validity (mapped specific MMPI profiles to certain disorders - EDs, alcoholism etc)

Convergent and Discriminant Validity (demonstrated in large range of samples)

Criterion Validity

Question 33

What is the MMPI good for?

Answer 33

1. Eating Disorders
2. Soldiers’ reactions in battle
3. PTSD
4. Detection of sexual abuse in children
5. Prediction of delinquent behaviour
6. Prediction of dropping out of PTSD cognitive behaviour therapy