Psychometrics Flashcards
What is the definition of psychometrics?
psycho - mind/soul
metric - measurement
Psychometric = measurements of mind/soul
why do we use psychometrics?
- predict behaviour
* identify differences between groups and contexts
what can psychometrics measure?
hypothetical constructs!
• Traits - personality, ability
• States - mood, emotions, motivation
When using tests as psychological tools, what is required of them?
- fit for purpose
- valid
- reliable
what is the issue of appropriate terminology and “tests”
“test” - connotations of failure, judgment, uncomfortable for participants
purpose of psychometrics is to describe not to judge
what terminology should be used to describe psychometric test?
assessment or instrument
what’s the difference between a test and psychometric assessment ?
cannot fail a psychometric test, used to describe not to judge
practical uses for psychometric measurements?
Clinical/forensics: identify emotional or personality disorders
Education: cognitive / learning issues
Career or job selection
basic research
what ways can psychometrics be used?
individual - one to one questioning
group e.g questionnaire
computerised administration e.g online questionnaire
what are psychopathy scales?
guidance of appropriate requirements for psychometric measures
brief overview of process of psychometric measure?
6 steps
- create questionnaire
- send to sample
- analyse data
- edit appropriate edits
- send to new sample
- analyse reliability & validity
what is a successful item pool?
items should…
valid - measure what you are trying to measure
unambiguous - clear to participants
avoid response set
what is response set?
individuals trying to shape their response to give a certain impression
How can response sets be minimised?
Lie scales
Linking response to actual behaviour
How do lie scales minimise response sets?
show if a person is faking good by stopping redundant questions
