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.
Skill of Evaluator in Psychological Assessment
Typically requires an educated selection of tools of evaluation, skill in evaluation, and thoughtful organization and integration of data.
Outcome of Psychological Testing
Typically, testing yields a test score or series of test scores.
Outcome of Psychological Assessment
Typically, assessment entails a logical problem-solving approach that brings to bear many sources of data designed to shed light on a referral question.
Process of Assesment
Referral for Assessment - Preparation of the Assessor - Formal Assessment - Assessment Report
Referral for Assessment
- Teacher, Judge, Clinician, Parent, HR, GC, Social Worker
- Referral Question
Preparation of the Assessor
- Meeting with the assessee or others
- Selecting appropriate tools
Formal Assessment
- Testing
- Interview (patient and sources)
- Case History
- Others
Assessment Report
Psychological Report Writing
Approaches to Assessment
- Collaborative
- Dynamic
Collaborative Psychological Assessment
- The assessor and assessee works as partners from initial contact to final feedback.
- May include therapy as part of the process:
Therapeutic Psychological Assessment
Therapeutic Psychological Assessment
therapeutic self-discovery and new understandings are encouraged throughout the assessment process
Dynamic Assessment
An interactive approach to psychological assessment that usually follows a model of:
* Evaluation
* Intervention of some sort
* Evaluation
Dynamic Assessment is used in:
- Educational
- Correctional
- Corporate
- Neuropsychological
- Clinical
Tools for Psychological Assessment
- Test
- interview
- Portfolio
- Case History Data
- Behavioral Observation
- Role Play Tests
- Use of Computers
Test
measuring device or procedure
Modifiers of Tests
Medical and Psychological Tests
Medical Tests
- Samples of Blood
- Samples of Tissue
- Samples of Fluids
Psychological Tests
device or procedure designed to measure psychological variables.
* Samples of Behavior
* Oral, Written,
Performance
* Elicited by a test
stimulus or
naturally occurring
Psychological Test: Differences
- Content
- Format
- Administration Procedures
- Scoring and Interpretation Procedures
- Technical Quality
Content
- Subject matter
- ”Focus”
- The case of the same purpose but differing in content:
- Personality Tests
- Different theoretical orientation
- Different operant differences
Format
- Form, plan, structure, arrangement, and layout of test items.
- Time limit.
- Form on which the test is administered.
- Pencil-and-paper, computerized
- Procedures in obtaining samples of behavior.
Administration Procedures
Individual
* Skills
* Tasks
* Knowledge
- TONI-3
* Group Administration
Scoring and Interpretation Procedures
- Score
- Code or summary statement
- Reflects the evaluation
- Scoring
- Process of assigning such evaluative codes or statements to performance on tests, tasks, interviews, or other behavior samples.
- Types of Scores
- Based from summing up or use of elaborate procedures.
- Cut Score
Cut Score
reference point, usually numerical, derived by judgment and used to divide a set of data into two or more classifications.
Technical Quality
Psychometric Soundness
* Psychometrics
* Validity
* Reliability
* Utility
Psychometrics
Science of Psychological Measurement.
Interview
“face-to-face talk”; method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchange.
Interview in Psychology
- More than talking
- ”What is said and how it is said”
- Verbal and Non-verbal behavior
Body Language
- Eye movement/ contact
- Facial expression
- Gestures
- Dress/ Attire, Hygiene
Other forms of interview
- Telephone Interview
- Panel Interview
Portfolio
files containing one’s works
Examples of Portfolio
- Can be in film, canvas, paper, etc.
- Sample of one’s ability.
Case History Data
refers to records, transcripts, and other accounts in written, pictorial, or other form that preserve archival information, official and informal accounts, and other data and items relevant to an assessee.
Examples of Case History Data
- Files or excerpts from files stored in institutions.
- Letters, correspondences, new clippings, work samples, doodles, diary
Behavioral Observation
monitoring the actions of others or oneself by visual or electronic means while recording quantitative and/ or qualitative information regarding the actions.
Behavioral Observation is used as
a diagnostic aid, for selection purposes