Psychological Testing and Assessment Exam 1

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Questions and Answers

What is item bias?

Differences in responses to test questions related to culture (correct)

Differences in responses to test questions based on test design

Differences in responses to test questions caused by test validity

Differences in responses to test questions that are related to differences in culture, gender, or experiences (correct)

What is the reliability coefficient?

A type of correlation coefficient used as an index of reliability, often around r=0.30 to 0.60.

What does test reliability measure?

The extent to which a test yields a consistent, reproducible measure of performance.

What is a correlation coefficient?

A statistical index of the relationship between two things, ranging from -1 to +1. Signup and view all the answers

What is a regression line?

A line drawn on a scatter plot to estimate the relationship between two sets of data. Signup and view all the answers

What is temporal stability?

The consistency of test scores across time. Signup and view all the answers

What is test-retest reliability?

A method for determining the reliability of a test by comparing scores from the same test taken on separate occasions. Signup and view all the answers

What is alternate forms reliability?

A procedure for testing reliability of survey responses by comparing answers to slightly different versions of questions. Signup and view all the answers

What is internal consistency?

A measure of reliability; the degree to which a test yields similar scores across its different parts. Signup and view all the answers

What is split-half reliability?

A measure of reliability in which a test is split into two parts and scores on both halves are compared. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between psychological testing and assessment.

Psychological testing measures psychological constructs like IQ, while psychological assessment gathers and integrates psychology-related data for evaluation regarding a referral question. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are dimensions of test utility?

Applied vs. Theoretical Signup and view all the answers

Where does testing take place?

Clinical, educational, counseling, and industry and employment settings. Signup and view all the answers

List some ways of categorizing tests.

By construct measured, format, reference for interpretation, administration method, norm-referenced, and criterion-referenced. Signup and view all the answers

What are the influences on test results?

Examiner factors (knowledge, bias, rapport) and examinee factors (anxiety, motivation, experience). Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of standardized testing procedures?

To ensure consistent administration and accurate norms for testing results. Signup and view all the answers

What is achievement testing?

It evaluates the information or skills a student has already learned. Signup and view all the answers

What is an aptitude test?

A test designed to predict a person's future performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is measurement error?

The difference between a measured quantity and its true value. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of informed consent.

It allows individuals to understand the risks, benefits, and purpose of a study before participating. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'duty to warn'?

The mental health professional's responsibility to break confidentiality and notify potential victims of threats. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of rapport in testing.

Building trust can prevent clients from withholding information. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychological testing?

Tests that measure psychological constructs, such as IQ. Signup and view all the answers

Name a source for information on psychological tests.

Mental Measurements Yearbook, Journal Articles. Signup and view all the answers

What are age and grade norms?

Average performance standards of test-takers at various ages or grades. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological Testing and Assessment Overview

Psychological testing measures constructs like IQ, while assessment integrates related data to evaluate clients based on referral questions.

Test Utility Dimensions

Applied vs. Theoretical: Real-world utility vs. validating theories and testing hypotheses.
Describe vs. Predict: Tests can describe current status or predict future behavior, comparing individuals to norm groups.
Max. Performance vs. Typical Performance: Evaluates an individual's best possible effort vs. their routine behavior.

Testing Environments

Conducted in clinical, educational, counseling, and industrial or employment settings.

Categorization of Tests

Construct Measured: Personality or intelligence.
Format: Includes interviews, paper, or computer-based formats.
Reference for Interpretation: Norm-referenced or criterion-referenced interpretations.

Influences on Test Results

Examiner Factors: Prejudice, rapport, and testing knowledge may impact results.
Examinee Factors: Anxiety, motivation, and past experiences can affect performance.

Standardized Testing Procedures

Ensure uniform administration and conditions under which norms are established.

Test Types

Achievement Testing: Evaluates learned information and skills.
Aptitude Test: Predicts future performance based on abilities.

Measurement Concerns

Measurement Error: Difference between measured values and true scores, can occur due to various factors.
Behavior Sampling Limitations: Error reduction through valid and reliable tests and representative norm groups.

Statistical Concepts in Testing

Raw Scores: Original untransformed data.
Standard Scores: Converted raw scores that indicate positional performance within a reference group.
T-Score: Mean of 50 with a standard deviation of ±10.
Z-Score: Indicates how many standard deviations a score is from the mean.

Reliability and Validity

Reliability refers to the consistency of test scores; validity assesses if a test measures what it claims to.
Types of reliability: test-retest, alternate forms, internal consistency, and split-half reliability.
Correlation coefficients illustrate the relationship strength between two variables.

Ethical Considerations

Important training minimizes biases in assessments and ensures informed consent addresses risks, benefits, and purposes.

Historical Milestones in Psychological Testing

Early Testing Evidence: Pythagoras (500 B.C.) practiced physiognomy.
WWI Impact: Increased testing with Yerkes Army Alpha and Beta tests, and Woodworth’s Personal Data Sheet for Army recruits.
Development of IQ Testing: Influenced by Binet, Goddard, and early 20th-century practices.

Measurement Transformations

Benchmark Data: Identifies optimal performance standards.
Percentiles: Represents specific points in data distributions illustrating cases below a certain value.

Conclusion

Understanding psychological testing requires knowledge of test utility, reliability, validity, ethical concerns, historical context, and measurement errors to ensure effective application in real-world situations.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of psychological testing and assessment with this exam 1 flashcard quiz. Learn to differentiate between psychological testing and assessment while reviewing essential definitions and their applications in real-world scenarios.