Week 10 Flashcards

Question

Methodological obstacles in researching projectives

Answer 1

Uncontrolled variations in: - Protocol length - Inappropriate subject samples - Inadequate control groups - Poor external criteria These factors contribute to spuriously increased ratings of validity. There are methodological obstacles in research projective measures because many test-retest or split-half methods are inappropriate.

Answer 2

Objective tests are affected by response styles, malingering and other sources of test bias (Meyer & Kurtz, 2006). Test-takers may also lack sufficient insight or perspective to respond “objectively” to test items. Subjective tests now also feature scoring systems use objective coding that provide empirical data. Weiner (2005) suggested replacing these terms with structured and unstructured. --The more structured a test is, the more likely it is to tap relatively conscious aspects of personality. By contrast, unstructured or ambiguous tests are more likely to access material beyond immediate, conscious awareness.

Answer 3

Emphasis is on what a person does in situations rather than on inferences about what attributes they have more globally Differences between traditional and behavioural approaches to assessment have to do with varying assumptions about: - -Nature of personality - -Causes of behaviour

Answer 4

see slide 47

Answer 5

To provide behavioural baseline data with which other behavioural data (accumulated after the passage of time, after intervention, or after some other event) may be compared To provide a record of the assessee’s behavioural strengths and weaknesses across a variety of situations To pinpoint environmental conditions that are acting to trigger, maintain, or extinguish certain behaviours To target specific behavioural patterns for modification through interventions To create graphic displays useful in stimulating innovative or more effective treatment approaches.

Answer 6

Behavioural observation- watching the activities of targeted clients or research subjects and, typically, maintaining some kind of record of those activities. --Researchers, clinicians, or counselors may themselves serve as observers, or they may designate trained assistants or other people (such as parents, siblings, teachers, and supervisors) as the observers. Behaviour rating scale-a preprinted sheet on which the observer notes the presence or intensity of targeted behaviours, usually by checking boxes or filling in coded terms. Self-monitoring-the act of systematically observing and recording aspects of one’s own behaviour and/or events related to that behaviour.

Answer 7

Analogue behavioural observation- the observation of a person in an environment designed to increase the chance that the assessor can observe targeted behaviours and interactions. ---Situational performance measure: Allows for observation and evaluation for an individual under a standard set of circumstances (such as a driving test). ---Leaderless group technique: Several people are organised into a group for the purpose of carrying out a task as an observer records their information (e.g., initiative, cooperation, leadership). ---Role play: Acting an improvised or partially improvised part in a simulated situation, can be used in teaching, therapy, and assessment.

Answer 8

Biofeedback: Designed to gauge, display, and record a continuous monitoring of selected biological processes e.g. heart rate and blood pressure. --Plethysmograph: Instrument that records changes in the volume of a part of the body arising from variations in blood supply, been used to examine normal, anxiety-ridden, and psychoneurotic populations. --Polygraph: commonly referred to as a ‘lie detector.’ However there is a high false-positive rate for lying where more than 50% of the innocent subjects are labeled as guilty.

Answer 9

Must be an acceptable level of inter-rater reliability among behaviour observers or raters. Equipment and cost of training behavioural assessors. Contrast effect - -Behavioural rating may be excessively positive or negative because a prior rating was excessively positive or negative. - -Solution – Composite judgement can be used, which is the averaging of multiple judgements.

Answer 10

Reactivity effect - -People react differently in experimental than in natural situations. Changes in an assessee’s behaviour, thinking, or performance may arise in response to being observed, assessed, or evaluated. - -Solution-use of hidden observers or clandestine recording techniques (ethical issues!). Instead have an adaptation period. Hawthorne effect, is a form of reactivity, where participants may improve or modify their behaviour which is being measured experimentally, simply because they know they are being studied.

Answer 11

Personality tests can be projective or “objective” (strong caveats). Projective tests aim to generally tap into “true” personality by presenting (generally) ambiguous stimuli. Although some strengths are present, caution must be used when interpreting projective tests, as psychometrics for these tests are controversial. Behavioural assessment measures allow the assessment of an individual’s behaviour in certain situations for a variety of reasons. Can also look at psychophysiological methods to see how people react.