Tools of Psychological Assessment PDF

Tools of Psychological Assessment LORESSA JOY D. PAGUTA, MA, RPm LAIRA DEE A. BAROQUILLO, MA, RPm Department of Psychology Definitions A test is a measurement device A psychological test is a set of or technique used to quantify items that are designed to behavi...

Tools of Psychological Assessment LORESSA JOY D. PAGUTA, MA, RPm LAIRA DEE A. BAROQUILLO, MA, RPm Department of Psychology Definitions A test is a measurement device A psychological test is a set of or technique used to quantify items that are designed to behavior or aid in the measure characteristics of understanding and prediction human beings that pertain to of behavior (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, behavior (e.g., intelligence, 2018). personality, aptitude, interests, attitudes, or values) (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, 2018). 2 Tests format The term format pertains to the Format is also used to refer to the form, plan, structure, form in which a test is arrangement, and layout of test administered: computerized, items as well as to related pencil-and-paper, or some other considerations such as time form. limits. 3 Administration procedures Alternatively, some tests, particularly those designed for Some tests, particularly those administration to groups, may designed for administration on a not even require the test one-to-one basis, may require administrator to be present an active and knowledgeable while the test takers test administrator. independently do whatever it is the test requires. 4 Types of Tests A group test, by contrast, can be Those that can be given to only administered to more than one one person at a time are known person at a time by a single as individual tests (Kaplan & examiner (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, Saccuzzo, 2018). 2018). 5 Types of Tests 6 Scoring and interpretation procedures In testing and assessment, we may formally define score as a Scoring is the process of code or summary statement, assigning such evaluative usually but not necessarily codes or statements to numerical in nature, that reflects performance on tests, tasks, an evaluation of performance interviews, or other behavior on a test, task, interview, or samples. some other sample of behavior. 7 Scoring and interpretation procedures A cut score (also referred to as a cutoff score or simply a Some tests are self-scored by cutoff) is a reference point, the testtakers themselves, usually numerical, derived by others are scored by computer, judgment and used to divide a and others require scoring by set of data into two or more trained examiners. classifications. 8 Psychometric soundness This refers to the psychometric soundness of a test. Psychometrist and Psychometrics may be defined psychometrician refers to a as the science of psychological professional who uses, analyzes, measurement. and interprets psychological test data. 9 Psychometric soundness Psychometric utility of a Psychometric soundness of a particular test or assessment test is referring to how method. In this context, utility consistently and how refers to the usefulness or accurately a psychological test practical value that a test or measures what it purports to assessment technique has for measure. a particular purpose. 10 Tools of Psychological Assessment If the interview is conducted face- Interview as a tool of to-face, then the interviewer is psychological assessment probably taking note of both typically involves more than talk. verbal and nonverbal behavior. 11 Tools of Psychological Assessment Nonverbal behavior may include the interviewee’s “body language,” movements and Interview is then defined as a facial expressions in response method of gathering to the interviewer, the extent of information through direct eye contact, the way they are communication involving dressed, and apparent reciprocal exchange. willingness to cooperate. 12 Tools of Psychological Assessment A presumed advantage of this personnel assessment technique is that any idiosyncratic biases A panel interview (also referred of a lone interviewer will be to as a board interview) is a type minimized (Dipboye, 1992). of interview with more than one interviewer participates in the A disadvantage of the panel assessment. interview relates to its utility; the cost of using multiple interviewers may not be justified (Dixon et al., 2002). 13 Tools of Psychological Assessment A therapeutic dialogue that A therapeutic technique called combines person-centered motivational interviewing is listening skills such as openness used by counselors and clinicians and empathy, with the use of to gather information about cognition-altering techniques some problematic behavior, while designed to positively affect simultaneously attempting to motivation and effect therapeutic address it therapeutically. change. 14 Tools of Psychological Assessment Portfolio are work products— whether retained on paper, canvas, film, video, audio, or Some have argued, for example, some other medium. that the best evaluation of a student’s writing skills can be The appeal of portfolio accomplished not by the assessment as a tool of administration of a test but by evaluation extends to many asking the student to compile a other fields, including selection of writing samples. education. 15 Tools of Psychological Assessment Case history data refers to records, transcripts, and other accounts in written, pictorial, or other form that preserve archival information, official and informal accounts, and other data and items relevant to an assessee. 16 Tools of Psychological Assessment Case history data may include files or excerpts from files maintained at institutions and agencies. Other examples of case history data are letters and written correspondence, photos and family albums, newspaper and magazine clippings, and home videos, movies, and audiotapes. 17 Tools of Psychological Assessment Case history data is a useful tool in a wide variety of assessment contexts. In a clinical evaluation, for example, case history data can shed light on an individual’s past and current adjustment as well as on the events and circumstances that may have contributed to any changes in adjustment. 18 Tools of Psychological Assessment Behavioral observation is employed by assessment professionals and may be defined as monitoring the actions of others or oneself by visual or electronic means while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information regarding the actions. 19 Tools of Psychological Assessment Behavioral observation is often used as a diagnostic aid in various settings such as inpatient facilities, behavioral research laboratories, and classrooms. In addition to diagnosis, behavioral observation may be used for selection purposes, as in corporate settings. 20 Tools of Psychological Assessment Role play may be defined as acting an improvised or partially improvised part in a simulated situation. A role-play test is a tool of assessment wherein assessees are directed to act as if they were in a particular situation. Assessees may then be evaluated with regard to their expressed thoughts, behaviors, abilities, and other variables. 21 Tools of Psychological Assessment Computers can serve as test administrators (online or off) and as highly efficient test scorers. Whether processed locally or centrally, the account of performance spewed out can range from a mere listing of score or scores (i.e., a simple scoring report ) to the more detailed extended scoring report, which includes statistical analyses of the test taker’s performance. 22 Tools of Psychological Assessment The acronym CAPA refers to the term computer assisted psychological assessment. Here the word assisted typically refers to the assistance computers provide to the test user, not the test taker. Another acronym you may come across is CAT, this for computer adaptive testing. The adaptive in this term is a reference to the computer’s ability to tailor the test to the test taker’s ability or test taking pattern. 23 Tools of Psychological Assessment Specially created videos are Biofeedback equipment is widely used in training and sometimes used to obtain measures evaluation contexts. of bodily reactions (such as muscular tension) to various sorts of stimuli. Assessment using VR technology is fast finding its way Penile plethysmographinstrument, into a number of psychological designed to measure male sexual specialty areas (Anbro et al., arousal, may be helpful in the 2020; Morina et al., 2015; diagnosis and treatment of sexual Sharkey & Merrick, 2016). predators. 24  Tools of Psychological Assessment Cohen, R. J. & Swerdlik, M. E. (2018). Psychological Testing & Assessment, 9th edition. McGraw-Hill Education, New York Kaplan, R. M. & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2018). Psychological Testing : Principles, Applications, & Issues, 9th edition. Cengage Learning, Boston, MA