CHAPTER 1: PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING evaluation that is accomplished

AND ASSESSMENT through the use of tools such as

tests, interviews, case studies,
TESTING AND ASSESSMENT behavioral observation, and
• Roots and History specially designed apparatuses
- The roots of contemporary and measurement procedures.
psychological testing and
assessment can be found in early • Psychological Testing
twentieth-century France. - The process of measuring
- In 1905, Alfred Binet and a psychology-related variables by
colleague published a test means of devices or procedures
designed to help place Paris designed to obtain a sample of
schoolchildren in appropriate behavior.
classes.
- Within a decade an English- • Testing in Contrast to Assessment
language version of Binet’s test was 1. Objective
prepared for use in schools in the Testing Assessment
United States.
- The US military depended on Typically, to obtain Typically, to answer
some gauge, usually a referral question,
psychological tests to screen large
numerical in nature, solve a problem, or
number of recruits quickly for with regard to an arrive at a decision
intellectual and emotional ability or attribute. through the use of
problems for both world wars. tools of evaluation.
- After the wars more tests purporting 2. Process
to measure an ever-widening array
Testing Assessment
of psychological variables were
developed and used. Testing may be Assessment is
individual or group in t y p i c a l l y
PSYCH TESTING & ASSESSMENT nature. After test individualized. In
administration, the contrast to testing,
• Testing tester will typically assessment more
- The term used to refer to everything add up “the number typically focuses on
from the administration of a test to of correct answers or how an individual
the interpretation of a test score the number of processes rather
certain types of than simply the
• Assessment responses . . . with results of that
- Assessment acknowledges that little if any regard for processing.
the how or
tests are only one type of tool used mechanics of such
by professional assessors (along with content”
other tools, such as the interview),
and that the value of a test, or of 3. Role of Evaluator
any other tool of assessment, is Testing Assessment
intimately linked to the knowledge, The tester is not key The assessor is key to
skill, and experience of the assessor. to the process; the process of
practically speaking, selecting tests and/
• Psychological Assessment one tester may be or other tools of
- The gathering and integration of substituted for evaluation as well as
psychology-related data for the another tester in drawing
without appreciably conclusions from the
purpose of making a psychological
affecting the entire evaluation.
evaluation.
4. Skill of Evaluator
Testing Assessment
Testing typically Assessment typically
requires technician- requires an educated
like skills in terms of selection of tools of
administering and evaluation, skill in
scoring a test as well evaluation, and
as in interpreting a t h o u g h t f u l
test result. organization and
integration of data.
5. Outcome
Testing Assessment
T y p i c a l l y , t e s t i n g Typically, assessment
yields a test score or e n t a i l s a l o g i c a l
series of test scores. problem-solving
approach that brings
to bear many sources
of data designed to
shed light on a
referral question.
• Ecological Momentary Assessment
- Refers to the he “in the moment”
evaluation of specific problems
and related cognitive and
behavioral variables at the very
time and place that they occur.
PROCESS OF ASSESSMENT
1. I n g e n e r a l , t h e p r o c e s s o f
assessment begins with a referral for
assessment from a source such as a
teacher, school psychologist,
counselor, judge, clinician, or
corporate human resources
specialist.
2. The assessor may meet with the
assessee or others before the formal
assessment in order to clarify
aspects of the reason for referral.

VARIETIES OF ASSESSMENT 3. The assessor prepares for the

• Educational Assessment
- Refers to the use of tests and other
tools to evaluate abilities and skills
relevant to success or failure in a
school or pre-school context.
Intelligence tests, achievement
tests, and reading comprehension
tests are some of the evaluative
tools that are used here.
• Retrospective Assessment
- The use of evaluative tools to draw
conclusions about psychological
aspects of a person as they existed
at some point in time prior to the
assessment.
• Remote Assessment
- The use of tools of psychological
evaluation to gather data and
draw conclusions about a subject
who is not in physical proximity to
the person or people conducting
the evaluation.
assessment by selecting the tools of
assessment to be used.
4. Subsequent to the selection of the
instruments or procedures to be
employed, the formal assessment
will begin.
5. After the assessment, the assessor
writes a report of the findings that is
designed to answer the referral
question.
6. More feedback sessions with the
assessee and/or interested third
parties (such as the assessee’s
parents and the referring
professional) may also be
scheduled.
APPROACHES TO ASSESSMENT
• Collaborative Psychological Assessment
- The assessor and assessee may
work as “partners” from initial
contact through final feedback
• Therapeutic Psychological Assessment
- Therapeutic self-discovery and new
understandings are encouraged
throughout the assessment process.
• Dynamic Assessment
- Refers to an interactive approach
to psychological assessment that
usually follows a model of (1)
evaluation, (2) intervention, (3) and
evaluation.
TOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL
ASSESSMENT
I. TEST
• Test
- A measuring device or procedure
• Psychological Test
- Refers to a device or procedure
designed to measure variables
related to psychology
• Content
- Pertains to the subject matter of the
test, and vary with the focus of the
particular test
• Format
- Pertains to the form, plan, structure,
arrangement, and layout of test
items as well as to related
considerations such as time limits
- Also refers to the form in which a
test is administered: computerized,
pencil-and-paper, or some other
form.
• Administration Procedures
- Refer to how a test is conducted/
administered, and what are the
requirements for a test (test
administration, demonstration)
• Score
- Code or summary statement that
reflects an evaluation of
performance
• Scoring
- The process of assigning evaluative
votes or summary statements to
performance
• Cut Score
- Or cutoff score;
- A reference point, usually
numerical, derived by judgment
and used to divide a set of data
into two or more classifications.
• Psychological Soundness
- Or technical quality
- Refers to how consistently and how
accurately a psychological test
measures what it intend to measure
• Utility
- Refers to the usefulness or practical
value that a test or other tool of
assessment has for a particular
purpose.
II. Interview
• Interview
- A method of gathering information
through direct communication
involving reciprocal exchange
• Panel Interview
- A type of interview wherein more
than one interviewer participates in
the assessment
• Motivational Interviewing
- A therapeutic dialogue that
combines person-centered listening
skills such as openness and
empathy, with the use of cognition-
altering techniques designed to
positively affect motivation and
effect therapeutic change.
III. Portfolio
- Compilation of one’s ability and
accomplishment
IV. Case History Data
• 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.
• Case Study
- A report or illustrative account
concerning a person or an event
that was compiled on the basis of
case history data.
V. Behavioral Observation
• Behavioral Observation
- The monitoring of the actions of
others or oneself by visual or
electronic means while recording
quantitative and/or qualitative
information regarding those
actions.
• Naturalistic Observation
- The observation of behavior in a
setting where they naturally occur
VI. Role-Play Tests
• Role Play
- Defined as acting an improvised or
partially improvised part in a
simulated situation.
• Role-Play Test
- A tool of assessment wherein
assessees are directed to act as if
they were in a particular situation.
VII.Computers as Tools
• Interpretative Report
- Distinguished by its inclusion of
numerical or narrative interpretive
statements in the report.
- Some contain relatively little
interpretation and simply call
attention to certain high, low, or
unusual scores that need to be
focused on.
• Consultative Report
- Written in language appropriate for
communication between
assessment professionals, may
provide expert opinion concerning
analysis of the data.
• Integrative Report
- Designed to integrate data from
sources other than the test itself into
the interpretive report, particularly
previously collected data such as
medication records or behavioral
observation data.
• Computer-Assisted Psychological
Assessment (CAPA)
- Usually refers to the assistance
computers provide to the test user,
not the testtaker.
- Opened a world of possibilities for
test developers, enabling them to
create psychometrically sound tests
using mathematical procedures
and calculations so complicated
that they may have taken weeks or
months to use in a bygone era.
- Enabled the construction of tailor-
made tests for test users with built-in
scoring and interpretive capabilities
previously unheard of
WHO ARE THE PARTIES INVOLVED
• Test Developer
- Create tests or other methods of
assessment
- Standards for Educational and
Psychological Testing: covers issues
related to test construction and
evaluation, test administration and
use, and special applications of
tests, such as special considerations
when testing linguistic minorities.
• Test User
- Professionals who use/administer
psychological tests.
• Testtaker
- Are anyone who is the subject of an
assessment or evaluation
- Psychological autopsy: a
reconstruction of a deceased
individual’s psychological profile on
the basis of archival records,
artifacts, and interviews previously
conducted with the deceased
assessee or people who knew him
or her.
• Society at Large
- As a party, it influences assessment
enterprises to measure different
psychological behavior.
IN WHAT TYPES OF SETTINGS ARE
ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED AND WHY
• Diagnosis
- Defined as a description or
conclusion reached on the basis of
evidence and opinion.
• Diagnostic Test
- Refers to a tool of assessment used
to help narrow down and identify
areas of deficit to be targeted for
intervention.
• Educational Settings
- Tests are administered early in
school life to help identify children
who may have special needs.
- Achievement test: evaluates
accomplishment or the degree of
learning that has taken place.
- Informal Evaluation: typically
nonsystematic assessment that
leads to the formation of an opinion
or attitude
• Clinical Settings
- Tests and many other tools of
assessment are widely used in
clinical settings to help screen for or
diagnose behavior problems
• Counseling Settings
- The ultimate objective of many
such assessments is the
improvement of the assessee in
terms of adjustment, productivity, or
some related variable.
• Geriatric Settings
- Assesses older adults to screen for
cognitive decline, especially
dementia.
• Business and Military Settings
- Various tools of assessment are
used in sundry ways, perhaps most
notably in decision making about
the careers of personnel.
• Government and Organizational
Settings
- Uses tests in governmental licensing,
certification, or general
credentialing of professionals.
• Academic Research Settings
- Uses testing to help answer their
theory/study subject.
HOW ARE ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED
• Protocol
- Typically refers to the form or sheet
or booklet on which a testtaker’s
responses are entered.
- The term may also be used to refer
to a description of a set of test or
assessment-related procedures,
• Rapport
- A working relationship between the
examiner and the examinee
• Accommodation 3. Professional Books
- Defined as the adaptation of a test, Pros Cons
procedure, or situation, or the
May contain one-of-a- May have theoretical
substitution of one test for another,
kind, authoritative bias Also, caution is
to make the assessment more insights of a highly advised when an
suitable for an assessee with e x p e r i e n c e d author expresses strong
exceptional needs. a s s e s s m e n t but idiosyncratic views
professional regarding about the value of a
• Alternate Assessment the structure and test (or its lack thereof)
- Defined as an evaluative or content of the test, as with assessees who are
well as more practical members of a
diagnostic procedure or process insights regarding the particular cultural
that varies from the usual, administration, scoring, group.
customary, or standardized way a and interpretation.
measurement is derived, either by
4. Reference Volumes
virtue of some special
accommodation made to the Pros Cons
assessee or by means of alternative Much like Consumer Few disadvantages if
methods designed to measure the Reports for tests, reviewer is genuinely
same variable(s) contain descriptions trying to be objective
and critical reviews of and is knowledgeable,
a test written by third but as with any review,
REFERENCE SOURCES
parties who can provide a
1. Test Catalouge presumably have misleading picture if
Pros Cons nothing to gain or lose this is not the case.
by praising or criticizing Also, for very detailed
Contains general Primarily designed to the instrument, its accounts of the
description of test, sell the test to test users standardization standardization sample
including what it is and seldom contains sample, and its and related matters, it
designed to do and any critical reviews. p s y c h o m e t r i c is best to consult the
who it is designed to Information not soundness. test manual itself.
be used with. Readily detailed enough for
available to most basing a decision to 5. Journal Articles
anyone who requests use the test. Pros Cons
a catalogue.
Up-to-date source of Reader should
2. Test Manual reviews and studies of research as many
Pros Cons p s y c h o m e t r i c articles as possible
soundness. Can when attempting to
Usually the most Details regarding the provide practical learn how the
detailed source test’s psychometric examples of how an instrument is actually
available for soundness are usually instrument is used in used; any one article
information regarding self-serving and written research or applied alone may provide an
the standardization on the basis of studies
sample and test contexts. atypical picture.
conducted by the test
administration 6. Online Databases
author and/or test
instructions. May
publisher. A test Pros Cons
contain useful
information regarding manual itself may be
the theory the test is difficult for students to Widely known and Some sites
based on, Typically obtain, as its respected online masquerading as
contains at least some distribution may be databases are virtual databases for
info about restricted to qualified “gold mines” of useful psychological tests are
p s y c h o m e t r i c professionals information. Some designed more to
soundness of the test. l e g i t i m a t e entertain or to sell
psychological tests something than to
may be available for inform.
self-administration