Introduction to Psychological Testing Flashcards
Mental age
a concept related to intelligence. It looks at how a specific individual (usually a child), at a specific age, performs intellectually, compared to average intellectual performance for that individual’s actual chronological age (i.e. time elapsed since birth)
Objective procedure
the use of the same standardised materials, administration instructions, time limits and scoring procedures for all test takers
Definition
Divide frequency distributions into equal fourths
Quartile
Educational and developmental psychologist
a psychologist who specialises in assessing and treating children and adults with learning and developmental needs
What are the 7 assumptions of testing and assessment?
- Psychological traits and states exist
- Psychological traits and states can be quantified and measured
- Test-related behaviour predict non-test-related behaviour
- Tests and other measurement techniques have strengths and weaknesses
- Various sources of error are part of the measurement process
- Testing can be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner
- Testing/assessment benefits society
Psychometric properties
the criteria that a psychological test has to fulfil in order to be useful; they include how accurate and reproducible the test scores are, and how well the test measures what it intends to measure
Definition
the practice or advocacy of improving the human species by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits.
Eugenics
T score
a score standardised to a distribution with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10
Psychological assessment
a broad process of answering referral questions, which includes but is not limited to psychological testing
Definition
the application of neuropsychological tests and other data-collection techniques to answer referral questions or solve problems for individuals with a known or suspected brain injury
Neuropsychological assessment
Definition
a linear transformation of test scores that expresses the distance of each score from the mean of the distribution of scores in units of the standard deviation of the distribution
Z score
Definition
A type of psychological test to determine preference for activities or choices. Used to determine occupational or social choices
Interest Inventory
Definition
a test devised to measure intelligence while relying as little as possible on culture-specific knowledge (e.g. language); tests are devised to be suitable across different peoples, with the goal to measure fluid rather than crystallised intelligence
Culture fair test
Definition
a scale that has the properties of an interval scale but also has a true zero
Ratio scale
Ordinal scale
a scale that has the property of a nominal scale, but also identifies an ordering of objects in terms of the attribute
Definition
tables of the distribution of scores on a test for specified groups in a population that allow interpretation of any individual’s score on the test by comparison to the scores for a relevant group
Norms
Which region developed test batteries for a range of issues from 206BC to 200CE?
China
Definition
a psychological test that requires test takers to respond by answering questions or solving problems; they are usually administered individually
Performance test
Self-report test
a psychological test that requires test takers to report their behaviour or experience; these tests can be administered individually or in a group
Clinical psychologist
a psychologist who specialises in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and prevention of psychological and mental health problems
Definition
a broad process of answering referral questions, which includes but is not limited to psychological testing
Psychological assessment
Meritocracy
government or the holding of power by people selected according to merit
Why do we use psychological testing?
Classification
Diagnosis and treatment planning
Self-knowledge
Program evaluation
Research
What type of data is BMI?
Interval
Definition
the notion that a psychological test loses its utility because the theory that is was based on has been shown to be wrong, or because the content of its items is no longer appropriate because of social or cultural change
Test obsolescence
Definition
a test to assess future learning potential
Aptitude test
What type of data is the list of students in a lab class?
Nominal data
Forensic psychologist
a psychologist who specialises in the provision of psychological services relating to the legal and criminal justice areas
What are the differences in the evaluator of testing and assessment?
Testing: Should have no influence
Assessment: Key to process. Selection of tools and formulation of conclusions
What type of data is degrees C? What about K?
Degrees C is interval
K is ratio (absolute 0!)
How has psychological testing been used in the past?
Eugenics - Galton promoted the improvement of the human species through selective parenthood.
Others such as Goodard and Jensen furthered this
Norms
tables of the distribution of scores on a test for specified groups in a population that allow interpretation of any individual’s score on the test by comparison to the scores for a relevant group
Creativity Test
A type of ability test for novel or original thinking and finding unique solutions
Eugenics
the practice or advocacy of improving the human species by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits.
Definition
a concept related to intelligence. It looks at how a specific individual (usually a child), at a specific age, performs intellectually, compared to average intellectual performance for that individual’s actual chronological age (i.e. time elapsed since birth)
Mental age
What type of data is the race placings?
Ordinal
What are the differences in objective between testing and assessment?
Testing: Gauge an individual ability. Scored and categorised
Assessment: Answer a referral question. Solve a problem. Use multiple tools of evaluation
How did WWI and WWII contribute to development of psychological tests?
There was a great need for group testing. Some tests were needed to test intelligence in illiterate adults (Army Beta). WWII gave rise to the role of a clinical psychologist as the tester
Definition
a psychologist who specialises in assessing and treating children and adults with learning and developmental needs
Educational and developmental psychologist
Interest Inventory
A type of psychological test to determine preference for activities or choices. Used to determine occupational or social choices
Definition
a psychologist who specialises in the area of work, human resource management and organisational training and development
Organisational psychologist
What was personality testing post WWII designed to measure?
Behaviour and measured ability rather than ability.
What type of data is speed?
Ratio
Definition
A type of ability test for novel or original thinking and finding unique solutions
Creativity Test
Behavioural procedures
a type of psychological test that describes or counts behaviour
Psychological test
an objective procedure for sampling and quantifying human behaviour to make inferences about a particular psychological construct or constructs using standardised stimuli and methods of administration and scoring
Intelligence test
A type of ability test for specific ability or global area
What are the four main types of ability tests?
Intelligence tests
Aptitude tests
Achievement test
Creativity test
Interval scale
a scale that orders objects in terms of the attribute in such a way that the distances on the scale represent distances between objects
Definition
Average deviation around the mean
Standard deviation
Definition
a test to assess past learning
Achievement test
Z score
a linear transformation of test scores that expresses the distance of each score from the mean of the distribution of scores in units of the standard deviation of the distribution
What are the differences in the outcome of testing and assessment?
Testing: The final score(s)
Assessment: Answer to referral question
Definition
Sum of all scores divided by the total number of scores
Mean
Definition
Divide frequency distribution into 10 equal groups
Deciles
Aptitude test
a test to assess future learning potential
Organisational psychologist
a psychologist who specialises in the area of work, human resource management and organisational training and development
Who developed one of the first major general intelligence tests?
Alfred Binet
What are features of the Wechsler-Bellevue Scale?
Non-verbal scales
Multiple facets of IQ
Pattern and combination of abilities
Definition
a psychological test that requires test takers to report their behaviour or experience; these tests can be administered individually or in a group
Self-report test
What encouraged Britain to develop psychological testing in the early 19th century?
Class distinctions and social order; how it relates to intelligence
Definition
the criteria that a psychological test has to fulfil in order to be useful; they include how accurate and reproducible the test scores are, and how well the test measures what it intends to measure
Psychometric properties
Definition
the use of the same standardised materials, administration instructions, time limits and scoring procedures for all test takers
Objective procedure
Neuropsychology
a branch of psychology that aims to study the relationships between the brain and behaviour
Ethics
a set of principles for guiding behaviours; in the case of psychological testing and assessment, for guiding professional behaviours
Definition
the forerunner to the popular Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, it was created by David Wechsler and released in 1939 as a test of general intellectual ability; revised many times, it remains the most widely used individual test of ability
Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale
Definition
an expression of the position of a score in a distribution of scores by dividing the distribution into 100 equal parts; also known as ‘centile’
Percentile
Criterion-referenced test
a psychological test that uses a predetermined empirical standard as an objective reference point for evaluating the performance of a test taker
Definition
a psychologist who specialises in understanding, assessing and treating individuals’ cognitive and behavioural resulting from brain injury
Clinical neuropsychologist
In what areas do tests and assessments differ?
Objective
Process
Evaluator role
Outcome
Norm-referenced test
a psychological test that uses the performance of a representative group of people (i.e., the norm) on the test for evaluating the performance of a test taker
Deciles
Divide frequency distribution into 10 equal groups
Definition
a set of principles for guiding behaviours; in the case of psychological testing and assessment, for guiding professional behaviours
Ethics
Definition
a psychological test that uses the performance of a representative group of people (i.e., the norm) on the test for evaluating the performance of a test taker
Norm-referenced test
Definition
the process of administering a psychological test, and obtaining and interpreting the test scores
Psychological testing
Neuropsychological assessment
the application of neuropsychological tests and other data-collection techniques to answer referral questions or solve problems for individuals with a known or suspected brain injury
What are the issues with norms?
- Initial sample must be large enough to be adequately representative
- Need to be updates regularly to accurately reflect the population
- Criterion-referenced tests are sometimes based on arbitrary cut-points
Mean
Sum of all scores divided by the total number of scores
Morals
one’s perspective of what’s right and proper conduct
Definition
A type of ability test for specific ability or global area
Intelligence test
Is a spelling test a psychological test?
Yes, spelling ability is a psychological construct and it’s being measured
What are the important features of a test?
- Standardised procedure
- Meaningful describing outcomes
- Have norms and standards
- Made up of items
Definition
one’s perspective of what’s right and proper conduct
Morals
What test did Wechsler develop to further Binet’s intelligence test?
Wechsler-Bellevue Scale
Definition
a branch of psychology that aims to study the relationships between the brain and behaviour
Neuropsychology
What are the differences in the process of testing and assessment?
Testing: Administer and score in accordance to specific rules (manual for use)
Assessment: Consider processes beyond the score and how individuals got a score
Definition
government or the holding of power by people selected according to merit
Meritocracy
What are the 8 steps of the assessment process?
- Obtain referral information
- Conduct a clinical interview
- Psyhometric testing
- Collect collateral information
- Formulation of presenting issues
- Formal diagnosis
- Treatment recommendations and plan
- Feedback to the client
Culture fair test
a test devised to measure intelligence while relying as little as possible on culture-specific knowledge (e.g. language); tests are devised to be suitable across different peoples, with the goal to measure fluid rather than crystallised intelligence
Clinical neuropsychologist
a psychologist who specialises in understanding, assessing and treating individuals’ cognitive and behavioural resulting from brain injury
Definition
an objective procedure for sampling and quantifying human behaviour to make inferences about a particular psychological construct or constructs using standardised stimuli and methods of administration and scoring
Psychological test
Quartile
Divide frequency distributions into equal fourths
Nominal measurement
the lowest form of measurement that assigns numbers to objects to represent their discreteness from each other
Standard deviation
Average deviation around the mean
What are the four main types of personality and behavioural tests?
Personality tests
Interest inventory
Behavioural procedures
Neuropsychological tests
Definition
a psychologist who specialises in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and prevention of psychological and mental health problems
Clinical psychologist
Definition
a scale that orders objects in terms of the attribute in such a way that the distances on the scale represent distances between objects
Interval scale
Definition
a psychological test that uses a predetermined empirical standard as an objective reference point for evaluating the performance of a test taker
Criterion-referenced test
Definition
any of several tests that consist of standardized tasks designed to determine various aspects of the personality or the emotional status of the individual examined.
Personality test
Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale
the forerunner to the popular Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, it was created by David Wechsler and released in 1939 as a test of general intellectual ability; revised many times, it remains the most widely used individual test of ability
What are some examples of psychological tests in society?
NAPLAN
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Buzzfeed quizzes
Percentile
an expression of the position of a score in a distribution of scores by dividing the distribution into 100 equal parts; also known as ‘centile’
Psychological testing
the process of administering a psychological test, and obtaining and interpreting the test scores
Define
Achievement test
a test to assess past learning
Definition
a type of psychological test that describes or counts behaviour
Behavioural procedures
Definition
a psychologist who specialises in the provision of psychological services relating to the legal and criminal justice areas
Forensic psychologist
Definition
a score standardised to a distribution with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10
T score
Definition
a scale that has the property of a nominal scale, but also identifies an ordering of objects in terms of the attribute
Ordinal scale
Definition
the lowest form of measurement that assigns numbers to objects to represent their discreteness from each other
Nominal measurement
Test obsolescence
the notion that a psychological test loses its utility because the theory that is was based on has been shown to be wrong, or because the content of its items is no longer appropriate because of social or cultural change
Performance test
a psychological test that requires test takers to respond by answering questions or solving problems; they are usually administered individually
Ratio scale
a scale that has the properties of an interval scale but also has a true zero
Personality test
any of several tests that consist of standardized tasks designed to determine various aspects of the personality or the emotional status of the individual examined.
Dr Philip, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, has received a referral to assess Louise, a 25-year-old Chinese born Australian. The referral states that she experiences stress and anxiety resulting from her job, and that she is seeking help to manage these symptoms. Louise recently passed the final test to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and has been working with a high profile firm for 6 months.
Dr Philip sees Louise for one session and administers the following tests to address the referral question:
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
From the results of these tests, Dr Philip determined that Louise is suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. These results were discussed with Louise and it was recommended she commence psychological treatment.
The test that Louise took to become a CPA is an example of what type of test?
Select one:
a. A norm-referenced test
b. A criterion-referenced test
c. A projective test
d. A t-test
The test that Louise took to become a CPA is an example of what type of test?
Select one:
a. A norm-referenced test
b. A criterion-referenced test
c. A projective test
d. A t-test
Dr Philip, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, has received a referral to assess Louise, a 25-year-old Chinese born Australian. The referral states that she experiences stress and anxiety resulting from her job, and that she is seeking help to manage these symptoms. Louise recently passed the final test to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and has been working with a high profile firm for 6 months.
Dr Philip sees Louise for one session and administers the following tests to address the referral question:
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
From the results of these tests, Dr Philip determined that Louise is suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. These results were discussed with Louise and it was recommended she commence psychological treatment.
A potential issue with using the WAIS in this assessment is that the test:
Select one:
a. is not psychometrically sound
b. is only relevant to men
c. does not suit the purpose of the assessment, and is not required
d. is not comprehensive enough to represent Louise’s intelligence
A potential issue with using the WAIS in this assessment is that the test:
Select one:
a. is not psychometrically sound
b. is only relevant to men
c. does not suit the purpose of the assessment, and is not required
d. is not comprehensive enough to represent Louise’s intelligence
Dr Philip, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, has received a referral to assess Louise, a 25-year-old Chinese born Australian. The referral states that she experiences stress and anxiety resulting from her job, and that she is seeking help to manage these symptoms. Louise recently passed the final test to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and has been working with a high profile firm for 6 months.
Dr Philip sees Louise for one session and administers the following tests to address the referral question:
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
From the results of these tests, Dr Philip determined that Louise is suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. These results were discussed with Louise and it was recommended she commence psychological treatment.
A potential issue with using the MMPI in this assessment is that the test:
Select one:
a. is not psychometrically sound
b. may not be normed appropriately for use with a culturally and linguistically diverse client sample.
c. may not accurately capture Louise’s personality as the test is only normed for use with males.
d. is not comprehensive enough to represent Louise’s personality
A potential issue with using the MMPI in this assessment is that the test:
Select one:
a. is not psychometrically sound
b. may not be normed appropriately for use with a culturally and linguistically diverse client sample.
c. may not accurately capture Louise’s personality as the test is only normed for use with males.
d. is not comprehensive enough to represent Louise’s personality
Dr Philip, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, has received a referral to assess Louise, a 25-year-old Chinese born Australian. The referral states that she experiences stress and anxiety resulting from her job, and that she is seeking help to manage these symptoms. Louise recently passed the final test to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and has been working with a high profile firm for 6 months.
Dr Philip sees Louise for one session and administers the following tests to address the referral question:
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
From the results of these tests, Dr Philip determined that Louise is suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. These results were discussed with Louise and it was recommended she commence psychological treatment.
Dr Philip has not yet received formal training in administering and scoring the MMPI and did not have time to consult an experienced user. Was including this test in his assessment responsible and ethical psychological practice?
Select one:
a. No – because Dr Philip has not yet demonstrated the relevant competencies in administrating and scoring this test
b. Yes – because it was an essential part of the diagnostic process
c. No – because only clinical psychologists can administer this test
d. Yes – because Dr Philip is a qualified psychologist and read the manual before the assessment
Dr Philip has not yet received formal training in administering and scoring the MMPI and did not have time to consult an experienced user. Was including this test in his assessment responsible and ethical psychological practice?
Select one:
a. No – because Dr Philip has not yet demonstrated the relevant competencies in administrating and scoring this test
b. Yes – because it was an essential part of the diagnostic process
c. No – because only clinical psychologists can administer this test
d. Yes – because Dr Philip is a qualified psychologist and read the manual before the assessment
Dr Philip, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, has received a referral to assess Louise, a 25-year-old Chinese born Australian. The referral states that she experiences stress and anxiety resulting from her job, and that she is seeking help to manage these symptoms. Louise recently passed the final test to become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and has been working with a high profile firm for 6 months.
Dr Philip sees Louise for one session and administers the following tests to address the referral question:
The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
From the results of these tests, Dr Philip determined that Louise is suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder. These results were discussed with Louise and it was recommended she commence psychological treatment.
Which of the following statements is most accurate about the assessment process that Dr Philip has undertaken?
Select one:
a. The assessment process was completed as Dr Philip was able to diagnose Louise.
b. The assessment process was comprehensive and Dr Philip did not need to gather any other information to inform his clinical opinion.
c. The assessment process was not adequate because Dr Philip did not provide feedback about the assessment results to Louise.
d. The assessment process was not comprehensive because Dr Philip conducted the tests in isolation, and did not conduct a full clinical interview.
Which of the following statements is most accurate about the assessment process that Dr Philip has undertaken?
Select one:
a. The assessment process was completed as Dr Philip was able to diagnose Louise.
b. The assessment process was comprehensive and Dr Philip did not need to gather any other information to inform his clinical opinion.
c. The assessment process was not adequate because Dr Philip did not provide feedback about the assessment results to Louise.
d. The assessment process was not comprehensive because Dr Philip conducted the tests in isolation, and did not conduct a full clinical interview.
