Introduction Flashcards
Measurement in Psychology
Developing adequate measures is essential for the advancement of psychology as a science. Without the ability to adequately measure intended constructs, it is difficult for scientists to conduct experiments, form theories, or improve interventions.
Why is there a need for measurement in psychology?
- To Quantify Behavior
- To determine frequencies, norms, etc.
- To know how and when?
How do you quantify behavior?
- Experimental (i.e., measuring reaction time)
- Measuring loneliness, happiness, anxiety,
depression… etc.
Inventory and Scales
indicates
measurement of variables.
Assessment
procedure to gather information
about people, consists of more than just testing
Factors of Tests
– Use of specific or systematic procedures
– Scoring of responses
– Sample of behavior
Test
type of assessment that uses specific procedures to obtain information and convert that information to a number or
scores.
Use of Specific or Systematic
Procedures
● Selecting a set of items or test
questions.
● Specifying conditions under
which the test is administered.
● Developing a system of scoring
and interpreting responses.
Scoring of Responses
Objective and Subjective Scoring
Objective Scoring
Responses are converted to
numbers by comparing them
to a list of possible answers.
Example of Objective Scoring
- Scaling
- Likert
Subjective Scoring
Answers are evaluated relative
to a set of scoringprocedures
Example of Subjective Scoring
- Interpretations
Sample of Behavior
Finite number of questions; sample of characteristics
Testing
the term used to refer to the process that covers the administration of a test to the interpretation of a test score.
Psychological Testing
The process of measuring psychology-related variables through the use of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior.
Psychological Assessment
The collection and integration of psychology- related data for the use in a psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observations, and specially designed apparatuses and measurement procedure.
Objective of Psychological Testing
Typically, to obtain more gauge, usually numerical in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute.
Objective of Psychological Assessment
Typically, to answer a referral question, solve a problem, or arrive at a decision through the use of tools of evaluation.
Process of Psychological Testing
May be individual in nature.
After test administration, the tester will typically add up “the number of correct answers or the number of certain types of responses… with little, if any, regard for the how or mechanics of such content” (Maloney & Ward, 1976)
Process of Psychological Assessment
Typically individualized.
More typically focused on how an individual processes rather than simply the results of that processing.
Role of Evaluator in Psychological Testing
The tester is not a key to the process; practically speaking, one tester may be substituted for another tester without appreciably affecting the evaluation.
Role of Evaluator in Psychological Assessment
The assessor is the key to the process of selecting tests and/ or other tools of evaluation as well as in drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation.
Skill of Evaluator in Psychological Testing
Typically requires technician-skills in terms of administering and scoring a test as well as in interpreting a test result.