Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does a large variance indicate about individual scores in a distribution?
What does a large variance indicate about individual scores in a distribution?
- Scores are evenly distributed.
- Scores differ substantially from the mean. (correct)
- Scores are very similar to the mean.
- Scores have no outliers.
What type of test requires test takers to choose a response or provide a predetermined answer?
What type of test requires test takers to choose a response or provide a predetermined answer?
- Subjective tests
- Performance tests
- Projective tests
- Objective tests (correct)
Which measure of variability is expressed in the same units as the mean?
Which measure of variability is expressed in the same units as the mean?
- Standard deviation (correct)
- Range
- Interquartile range
- Variance
In comparing two classes that both have a mean score of 75%, what do the differing standard deviations signify?
In comparing two classes that both have a mean score of 75%, what do the differing standard deviations signify?
Which of the following is an example of an aptitude test?
Which of the following is an example of an aptitude test?
What is the primary purpose of achievement tests?
What is the primary purpose of achievement tests?
What does the range represent in a set of data?
What does the range represent in a set of data?
Why should outliers be approached with caution when calculating range and variance?
Why should outliers be approached with caution when calculating range and variance?
Which of the following tests is primarily focused on gathering group outcomes rather than individual insights?
Which of the following tests is primarily focused on gathering group outcomes rather than individual insights?
Which type of decision is made by comparing test scores among a number of individuals?
Which type of decision is made by comparing test scores among a number of individuals?
Which type of test is primarily used in clinical settings to measure human character or disposition?
Which type of test is primarily used in clinical settings to measure human character or disposition?
What is the focus of interest inventories?
What is the focus of interest inventories?
Which of the following resources is commonly used to learn more about available psychological tests?
Which of the following resources is commonly used to learn more about available psychological tests?
Which of the following categories does not represent a major subject category of psychological tests?
Which of the following categories does not represent a major subject category of psychological tests?
What type of test evaluates the potential of a test taker for future learning or job performance?
What type of test evaluates the potential of a test taker for future learning or job performance?
What characteristic distinguishes interval scales from ordinal scales?
What characteristic distinguishes interval scales from ordinal scales?
Which of the following statements about ratio scales is correct?
Which of the following statements about ratio scales is correct?
What is a limitation of interval scales?
What is a limitation of interval scales?
In the example of evaluating service received at a restaurant using categories like very poor to very good, which measurement scale is utilized?
In the example of evaluating service received at a restaurant using categories like very poor to very good, which measurement scale is utilized?
When measuring classroom temperature in degrees Celsius, which measurement scale is being used?
When measuring classroom temperature in degrees Celsius, which measurement scale is being used?
What type of data is most commonly produced by psychological tests?
What type of data is most commonly produced by psychological tests?
Which type of statistical calculations can be performed with interval data?
Which type of statistical calculations can be performed with interval data?
Why is it important to understand the differences in levels of measurement?
Why is it important to understand the differences in levels of measurement?
Who primarily administers psychological tests in educational settings?
Who primarily administers psychological tests in educational settings?
What type of psychological tests are often used for employment purposes?
What type of psychological tests are often used for employment purposes?
What was a significant reason for the criticism of intelligence tests in the early 20th century?
What was a significant reason for the criticism of intelligence tests in the early 20th century?
What did Gould's 1982 work argue regarding intelligence testing?
What did Gould's 1982 work argue regarding intelligence testing?
Which of the following factors is NOT cited as a source of test score differences?
Which of the following factors is NOT cited as a source of test score differences?
What was one of the main findings of the American Psychological Association regarding IQ differences?
What was one of the main findings of the American Psychological Association regarding IQ differences?
What was Robert Yerkes known for during World War I?
What was Robert Yerkes known for during World War I?
What is construct bias in psychological testing?
What is construct bias in psychological testing?
What did the civil rights movement in the 1960s influence regarding intelligence testing?
What did the civil rights movement in the 1960s influence regarding intelligence testing?
Which ability is NOT influenced by cultural factors according to the material?
Which ability is NOT influenced by cultural factors according to the material?
What is the main purpose of linear transformations in data analysis?
What is the main purpose of linear transformations in data analysis?
What does a Z score of 2 indicate about an individual's test score?
What does a Z score of 2 indicate about an individual's test score?
Which of the following correctly describes T scores?
Which of the following correctly describes T scores?
If a student scored at the 25th percentile, what does this indicate?
If a student scored at the 25th percentile, what does this indicate?
What does a T score of 50 imply about an individual's performance?
What does a T score of 50 imply about an individual's performance?
What is true about the formula to calculate a Z score?
What is true about the formula to calculate a Z score?
Which of the following correctly defines percentile ranks?
Which of the following correctly defines percentile ranks?
Which of the following statements about area transformations is correct?
Which of the following statements about area transformations is correct?
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Study Notes
Types of Psychological Tests
- Objective Tests: Require predetermined correct answers; minimal subjective scoring.
- Examples: True/False questions (e.g., "Ottawa is the capital of Canada"), memory recall tests (e.g., recall sequence of numbers).
- Projective Tests: Respond to ambiguous stimuli; interpretations are subjective.
- Examples: Rorschach inkblot test, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), word association tests.
Dimensions Measured
- Achievement Tests: Measure prior learning in specific academic areas; commonly used in education.
- Aptitude Tests: Assess potential for learning or ability in new roles (e.g., LSAT, GRE).
- Intelligence Tests: Evaluate an individual's broader ability to cope with environments; often utilized for screenings.
- Interest Inventories: Gauge interests for educational programs and career choices; not predictive of success.
- Personality Tests: Assess character and disposition; used in various settings including clinical and organizational.
Major Subject Categories
- Achievement, behavior assessment, developmental, educational, English/language, fine arts, foreign languages, intelligence, mathematics, neuropsychological, personality, reading, science, sensorimotor, social studies, speech/hearing, vocations.
Psychological Tests and Surveys
- Surveys: Collect group-level information; results reported at question level with response percentages.
Decision-Making with Test Results
- Individual Decisions: Based on test-taker's self-assessment.
- Institutional Decisions: Decisions by entities influenced by test scores.
- Comparative Decisions: Involve ranking individuals based on test scores.
- Absolute Decisions: Determine qualifications based on minimum scores.
Professionals Utilizing Psychological Tests
- Educational Settings: Administrators, teachers, school psychologists, and career counselors.
- Clinical Settings: Various clinicians and consultants.
- Organizational Settings: HR professionals and industrial/organizational psychologists.
Controversies in Psychological Testing
- Issues arise concerning the use and interpretation of test results, particularly with intelligence, aptitude, and integrity tests.
- Historical bias observed in intelligence testing, especially regarding disadvantaged minority groups.
Intelligence Testing Historical Context
- Robert Yerkes: Introduced mental testing during WWI with Army Alpha and Beta tests; raised questions about cultural bias.
- Walter Lippmann: Critiqued testing methods; noted discrepancies in scores between ethnic groups.
- Gould (1982): Argued against mass intelligence testing due to cultural biases, leading to discontinuation of early tests.
Continued Debate on Intelligence Testing
- Noteworthy works: "The Bell Curve" by Herrnstein & Murray; APA report questioning genetic vs. cultural influences on intelligence.
Sources of Test Score Differences
- Factors include age, sex, socioeconomic status, education level, and culture.
Cultural Influences on Psychology
- Cognitive processes may show cultural distinctiveness; relevant in attention, memory, emotion perception, and more.
Sources of Bias in Psychological Testing
- Construct Bias: Incompatibility across cultures in what is measured.
- Scales of Measurement: Interval scales used for statistical calculation. Includes Likert-type scales for more nuanced data analysis.
Understanding Levels of Measurement
- Ordinal Data: Most psychological tests yield this type; intervals may not be equal.
- Interval Scales: Equal distances between points; allow for advanced statistical functions.
- Ratio Scales: Have an absolute zero point, enabling ratio comparisons.
Variability Measures in Psychological Testing
- Range: Difference between highest and lowest test scores.
- Variance: Indicates whether scores cluster around the mean or vary widely.
- Standard Deviation (SD): Reflects how much scores deviate from the mean; easier interpretation as it's in the same units as the mean.
Statistical Methods for Test Scores
- Z-scores: Show how many standard deviations a score is from the mean; useful for comparing to norms.
- T-scores: Offer a similar interpretation as z-scores but use a different scale (mean of 50, SD of 10).
- Percentiles and Stanines: Provide contextual understanding of test scores relative to a population.
The Role of Norms
- Norms serve as benchmarks for interpreting test scores achieved by specified groups. Norm-based interpretations guide analyses of individual performance against standardized measures.
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