Lecture 1 - Intro To Psychological Testing

Psychological Testing
Definition of Terms
 Assessment: the process of gathering information

 Measurement: the process of assigning numbers
 Evaluation: the process of determining worth of something based
on numbers
 Testing: quantifying behavior by using a test (items, questions
that make up a test)
 Test: a tool used to quantify behavior (e.g. personality, spelling,
ability, and interest test)
Psychological test
 A psychological test is used to measure an individual’s different

abilities, such as their aptitude in a particular field, cognitive
functions like memory and spatial recognition, or even traits like
introvertedness. These tests are based on scientifically tested
psychological theories.
 It contains a set of items designed to measure characteristics of
human behavior
 Overt behavior: observable action
 Covert behavior: takes place inside a person (cannot be directly
measured)
Psychological Assessment
 A psychological assessment is gathering information to evaluate a

person’s behavior, character, strengths, and needs for the purpose
of diagnosing, setting goals, and recommending treatment,
 A general approach that utilizes various sources of data (portfolio,
interviews, observations, etc in addition to a test) to make
decisions
 Combines both qualitative (subjective )and quantitative
(objective) approach
 Individualized and comprehensive
Tools of psychological
assessment
 Test
 Portfolio
 Case history data
 Observation
 Role play
 Technology (EEG, etc)
 Interviews (panel)
Psychological Test
 A psychological test is a standardized measure of a sample of a

person’s behavior that is used to measure the individual
differences that exist among people.
 A psychological test is an objective and standardized measure of
an individual's mental and/or behavioral characteristics.
 The main purpose of psychological testing is to gain a better
understanding of a person and her/his behavior.
Cont..
 A psychological test is a systematic procedure for observing a

person’s behavior or performance, describing it with the aid of a
numerical scale or category system.
 Mostly tests are used as a way of measuring differences between
people or differences in the same person over time.
Psychological testing
 Psychological testing is a field characterized by the use of

samples of behavior, most often administered as a series of items
in which the individual must give a response, in order to assess
psychological construct(s), such as ability, cognitive and
emotional functioning, or personality.
 Psychological testing is not one single test, but a series of
scientifically developed tests and procedures that assess various
aspects of a person’s psychological functioning
Goals of psychological testing
• The goals of psychological assessment are to better understand

a person’s strengths and weaknesses, identify potential
problems with cognitions, emotional reactivity, and make
recommendations for treatment/remediation.
• All types of psychological evaluations measure an individual’s
functioning at a specific point in time and provide a “snapshot”
of a person.
• Almost all psychological testing is administered by a licensed
psychologist (or trainee) and is a formal process that requires
extensive training and expertise. Psychologists are the only
professionals that are expertly trained in administering and
interpreting psychological tests.
Traits and States
 Tests often try to measure traits and states

 Traits: enduring predispositions
 States: specific status of a person (e.g. mood,
situations)
Function of Psychological
Testing
 Decision making: psychological tests can be used determining
promotion etc
 Placement: place students and workers to different categories
(based on tests scores)
 Administrative function
 Diagnosis: identifying psychological problems, learning
difficulties, etc.
 Research: using psychological tests for research purpose
 Self-understanding and personal development
Participants in the Testing Process
 Developers
 Publishers
 Reviewers
 Users
 Examiners
 Takers
 Scorers
 interpreters
Psychological Assessment versus Psychological
Testing
 Degree of complexity
 Duration
 Data sources
 Focus
 Qualifications for use
 Procedural basis
 Cost
 Purpose
 Degree of structure
 Evaluation of results
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Psychological Testing

 Assessment: the process of gathering information

 A psychological test is used to measure an individual’s different

 A psychological assessment is gathering information to evaluate a

 A psychological test is a standardized measure of a sample of a

 A psychological test is a systematic procedure for observing a

 Psychological testing is a field characterized by the use of

• The goals of psychological assessment are to better understand

 Tests often try to measure traits and states

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