Week 11 - Ethical issues in assessment

Question 1

What are ethics?

Answer 1

A system of principles governing morality and desirable standards of behaviour toward others

Question 2

Why are ethics important in psychological testing?

Answer 2

We need to be aware of the various factors that can impact on test scores.

Question 3

What 3 criteria does test bias represent itself in?

Answer 3

content, criterion, and construct validity

Question 4

How can test bias be determined using content validity?

Answer 4

○ Items are more difficult for a certain group
○ Ask for information that some may not have access to
○ Scoring of item is inappropriate for certain groups
○ Wording of information is unfamiliar to test taker

Question 5

How can test bias be determined using criterion validity?

Answer 5

• How well the test predicts individuals’ scores in the future
• This is the most crucial form of validity in test bias

Question 6

How can test bias be determined using construct validity?

Answer 6

• When a test measures different hypothetical constructs or traits for one group than another
• Often shows itself in wording, illustrations, culturally inappropriate items & concepts used

Question 7

What are some gender differences in intelligence?

Answer 7

• Gender differences have only been noted in some areas such as spatial awareness. However, males are only .3-.5 of a standard deviation superior to females (not significant)
• Females develop fine and gross motor skills before males, but males quickly catch up and overtake females

Question 8

What are some possible race differences in intelligence?

Answer 8

• There is an apparent 10-15 difference in IQ test scores for white Americans and African Americans
• Research does not support a genetic hypothesis for this

Question 9

What are the problems with culture-free tests?

Answer 9

• Miss important elements of intelligence
• Exclude important elements that are required in the real world
• Ignore important environmental factors
- don’t have the same predictive validity as verbal tests

Question 10

What is culture loading?

Answer 10

the degree to which a test incorporates the vocabulary, concepts, traditions, and feelings associated with a particular culture (most items possess this problem)

Question 11

What are culture-fair tests?

Answer 11

Incorporating new aspects to procedures to minimise culture specific advantage. Can also relate to how a researcher interprets data = researcher bias