PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

About Tests and Testing...  Personality

 Neuropsychological
A test is a device or procedure used to
 Career
measure some variable (ex. medical
 Ecological Momentary Assessment
condition, content mastery, intelligence,
etc.) Testing VS. Assessment
CONTENT- subject matter of the test To gauge an ability or To answer a referral question,
attribute (usually solve a problem or arrive at a
FORMAT- the form in which the test is given numerical in nature) decision through evaluation.
and structure/ layout of lest items Typically individualized since it
focuses more on how an
ADMINISTRATION- refers to specific stops individual processes rather
used in gathering data (other measurement than simply the result of the
procedures) process.
May be individual or Typically individualized since it
ITEM- a specific stimulus to which a person group. Usually just focuses more on how an
adding up responses individual processes rather
responds overly and can be scored or evaluated
with little regard of the than simply the result process.
Scoring and interpretation- assigning mechanics of such
content
values/evaluative codes and making meaning
out of the results
Tester is not the key Assessor is the key to the
to the process process
Requires technician- Requires educated selection of
like skills in terms of tools of evaluation, skills in
Psychological Assessment
administering, scoring evaluating and organization
and interpreting test and integration of data. Entails
Psychological assessment refers to the
results. a logical problem-solving
gathering of psychology related data through a approach that requires many
broad array of evaluative procedures for the sources of data to shed light
purpose of making a psychological evaluation on a referral question.
and informed decision. The process of Yields a test score or Entails a logical problem-
assessment typically goes like this: series of test scores solving approach that requires
many sources of data to shed
1. Referral for assessment (one or more) light on a referral question
2. Pre-assessment meeting for
clarifications Tools of Psychological Assessment
3. Selecting assessment tools Traditional Tests (pen-and-paper)
4. Feedback sessions with assesse or other
party - Can either be an individual or group
5. Evaluation and Writing of report to test
answer referral question
I. Human Ability Tests
6. Formal Assessment
o Achievement Tests
There are many types of assessment in different
o Aptitude Tests
settings. Some of these include...
o Intelligence Tests
 Collaborative
 Remote II. Personality Tests
 Retrospective o Structured/Objective
 Therapeutic o Projective/Subjective
 Dynamic
 Authentic/Performance-based III. Other types of tests...
 Clinical
 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
o Speed Test understanding of testing and supporting
o Power Test psychological fields with supervised
o Psychomotor Test/ Physical performance experience
test o Examples: individual tests of
o Diagnostic Test intelligence, projective personality tests,
o Interest Inventories clinical diagnostic tests personality
o Placement Test neuropsychological batteries,

Levels of Tests Interviews (can either be structured, semi-

structured, or unstructured) - gathering of
Level A information through direct communication
involving reciprocal exchange.
o Tests that can be administered, scored
and interpreted with minimal training, Portfolio- a collection of work products made
aid of the manual and with sufficient by the individual
instruction.
o May be given and interpreted by Case history data- records, transcripts, or
other accounts in written or pictorial form that
responsible non- psychologists who
preserve archival information about the person
have a general orientation of their
being assessed. Hospital records, criminal
organization.
records, letters, etc. are included.
o Examples are informal screening tests,
classroom checklists, achievement tests, Behavioral Observations- monitoring actions
proficiency tests, etc. of others in either a controlled or natural
environment.
Level B
Role play test- asking assesses to act 'as if
o Tests which require specific training for
they are in a particular situation. Directed
administration, scoring and expressed thoughts, behaviors and abilities are
interpretation. Requires some technical then recorded.
knowledge of test construction and use
of other fields such as statistics, Simulation- the realistic imitation of a real
psychology of adjustment, guidance, world process which may involve the use of
etc. computer programs and/or modelled job
o More complex. Require some equipment. In contrast to being directed,
understanding of psychometric assesses are told to act as themselves during
principles, the traits being measured simulations.
and the discipline within which the tests
Computers as tools...
are used (e.g. education, clinical,
counseling). Computer Assisted Psychological Assessment
o Level B Test examples: group (CAPA) entails the use of computers in
intelligence tests, interest inventories,
aptitude tests, structured personality o Presenting and administering test items
tests. Adjustment inventories for normal and instructions
populations o Quick and efficient scoring with
transformation to standard scores
Level C o Can be programmed to generate basic
o Includes tests and aids which require test result interpretations
advanced training and experience in o Services using computers may include:
administration, scoring, and Local processing, Terminal to mainframe
interpretation. Requires substantial
 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
computer, and through a remote central
location
Some other computer-related characteristics...
o Computers can store large amounts of
data like item banks or normative data
o Computers allow for control over other
devices such as optical scanners,
printers, and video disc presentations
o Allows for Computer Adaptive Testing
(CAT). This refers to the computer's
ability to tailor the test taken by the
individual according to his/her test-
taking ability or test-taking pattern.
Paper and pencil vs. computer format
o Method of presentation. Which one
has clearer pictures and more readable
items?
o Requirements of the task or test-
taking strats. Can you go back and
review earlier items? How about answer
later items first? Are there time limits
per question?
o The method of responding. Will they
be required to check items, shade,
touch the screen? Are blank responses
acceptable?
o The method of interpretation. Are
norms for a pen and paper test
applicable to computerized versions?
Who are involved in assessment?
1. Test developers and publishers
2. Test users (psychologists, counselors,
educators, etc)
3. Test takers
Participants in the testing process and
their roles.
Test Authors and developers
 They concern, prepare, and develop
tests. They also find a way to
disseminate their tests by publishing
them either commercially or through
professional publications such as books
or periodicals
Test publishers
 They publish, market and sell tests, thus
controlling their distribution
Test reviewers
 They prepare evaluative critiques of
tests based on their technical and
practical merits
Test users
 They select on decide to take a specific
test off the shelf and use it for some
purpose. They may also participate in
other roles, for example, as examiners
or scorers.
Test sponsors
 Institutional boards or government
agencies who contract test developers
or publishers for various testing
services.
Test administrators or examiners
 They administer the test either to be
individual at a time or to groups.
Test takers
 They take the test by choice or
necessity.
Test scorers
 They tally the raw responses of the test
taker and transform them into test
scores through object at or mechanical
scoring or through the application of
evaluative judgments
Test score interpreters
 They interpret test results to their
ultimate consumers, who may be
individual test takers or their relatives,
other professional, or organizations of
various lands
Test takers may also vary in variables
including...
 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
 Amount of test anxiety experienced 5. Online Databases
and how it may significantly affect test
results
 Capacity and willingness to Test Worthiness
cooperate with the examiner
 Physical or emotional disturbances What is worthiness?
experienced during testing
A measure on how good the test really is
 Extent to which they are predisposed
to agreeing or disagreeing when Requires an involved, objective analysis of a test
presented with stimulus statements in four critical areas:
 Extent of prior coaching received
 Extent to which they are lucky or "can  Validity- whether a test measures what
beat the odds" in a test it is supposed to measure
 Reliability- whether test results are
Assessments for people with disabilities.... consistent or dependable
 Cross-cultural fairness- whether a
o Assessing people with disabilities
person's score is a true reflection of the
requires accommodation-- an individual and not a function of cultural
adaptation of a lest or bias inherent in the test
procedure/substitution of one test for  Practicality- whether it makes sense to
another to make The assessment more use a test in a particular situation.
suitable for the person with special
needs.
o Accommodation of special needs
allows for alternate assessments-
the evaluative or diagnostic procedure
that varies from the standardized way of
measurement
o Forms of accommodation: (1) the
form of the test as presented to the test
taker, (2) the way responses to the test
are obtained. (3) Modification of the
physical environment (4) Modifications
of the interpersonal environment

Where to find information about tests?

1. Test catalogues- distributed by

publishers and contains brief description
of the test, Purpose is for selling the
test,
2. Test Manuals- detailed information on
the development of the test and
technical information are found here.
3. Reference volumes- Mental
Measurements Yearbook by Oscar Buros
is one of the most well-known volumes
which include a list of commercially
available tests and test reviews.
4. Journal Articles