Week 1

Question 1

Construct

Answer 1

Hypothetical, can’t be touched (ex. introverted, anxious, depressed, intellectual disability)

We make a construct so we can test it

Question 2

Testing

Answer 2

Definition: “the process of measuring psychological related variables by means of devises or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior”

We use them to asses constructs. KEY: a sample of behavior

Question 3

Assessment

Answer 3

Gathering of data for purpose of making a psychological evaluation, accomplished through use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, observations, etc.

Question 4

Testing vs Assessment vs Construct

Answer 4

A test is a “product” that measures a particular behavior or set of objectives (construct). Meanwhile assessment is seen as a procedure instead of a product

Assessment is the overarching one

Question 5

Purpose of Assesment

Answer 5

To identify or clarify a problem

To determine the best environment for a person

To advance justice

To aid in matching people to opportunities

To help a person better understand themselves

As an effective short term therapeutic intervention

*To protect against bias / human thinking errors

Question 6

Human thinking errors

Answer 6

Our thinking is inaccurate, which is why testing is important

**Many listed in packed, only non-initialized is “fundamental attribution bias”

Question 7

Fundamental attribution bias

Answer 7

We attribute mistakes we make to situational factors, while we attribute others’ mistakes to their character or personality

An example of a human thinking error

Ex. You cut someone off, you justify it (I didn’t have room, that car sped up.) When someone else cuts you off, you get pissed (they are a shitty driver)

Question 8

Managing thinking errors

Answer 8

• mindfulness
• self observation
• willingness to have 6th sense (sense with mind, gut feeling)
• Nomothetic (law) measures

Question 9

The two best defenses against inaccurate conclusions when testing

Answer 9

Valid and reliable measures (guard against bias and blindspots)

Using multiple methods of measuring (blends the strengths and weaknesses that each instrument has)

Question 10

Attributes of a good test

Answer 10

Clear instructions for administering, scoring, and interpreting

Efficient use (incremental validity)

Accurate (reliable and valid)

Question 11

Valid vs reliable

Answer 11

Valid: measures what its supposed to measure

Reliable: Measures consistently

Question 12

Incremental Validity

Answer 12

Incremental validity is a type of validity that is used to determine whether a new psychometric assessment will increase the predictive ability beyond that provided by an existing method of assessment.

**AKA are you using the best measure out there

Question 13

Ethical Aspects of Testing

Answer 13

Do no harm (non-malfeasance)

Do good (beneficence)

Promote autonomy (informed consent)

Be just (be fair)

Question 14

Assessment today: new measures

Answer 14

Wartegg Drawing Completion

Adult attachment Projective

Thurston Craddock Test of Shame

Question 15

Assessment today: Therapeutic Assessment

Answer 15

Discovering that psychological assessment can do enormous good

Question 16

General domains of psychological assessment

Answer 16

Personality (traits and states)

Intellectual

Neuropsychological

Vocational

Question 17

A major goal of psychological assessment is to reduce/eliminate errors, misattributions, mistakes in characterizations, inaccurate conclusions, etc.

How do you do this?

Answer 17

Using valid & reliable measures

Using multiple methods of measuring

Be aware of and guard against human thinking errors; anticipate making mistakes

Consider the nature of various types of data (strengths, weaknesses, peculiarities, )

Integrate seemingly conflicting data

Consider the motivational and environmental circumstances of testing

Be sure you can systematically identify characteristics of condition under consideration

Test indicators & their absence should be directly linked to these characteristics

Reconcile testing results with history

Systematically revise your impressions by considering data that temper your hypothesis

Predictions of rare events should be made sparingly

Use empirically validated, statistically derived algorithms when available

Use validity scales and symptom validity measures to be alerted to distortions

Consider and profit from client feedback

Question 18

What is intelligence

Answer 18

Intelligence is a construct

A general label for a group of processes that are inferred from observable behaviors

Question 19

Intelligence and ambiguity

Answer 19

Ambiguity of what intelligence is has allowed it to become framed in different philosophical assumptions, political agendas, social issues, and legal restrictions.

Question 20

Common definitional aspects of intelligence

Answer 20

1. Abstract thinking
2. Learning from experience
3. Solving problems through insight
4. Adjusting to new situations
5. Focusing and sustaining ones abilities to achieve a desired goal

Question 21

Stanford Binet

Answer 21

on 5th edition, developed by Alfred Binet and revised with Stanford university

focused on verbal abilities

WAIS is more popular

PSYCHOMETRIC APPROACH

Question 22

Is intelligence a viable construct?

Answer 22

Yes Intelligence is a viable construct. There are geniuses and intellectually disabled people