Introduction: Psychological

Assessment

PRC 110 – Psychological Testing

and Assessment
Terms & Definitions
◼ Psychological Assessment
◼ The gathering and integrating of
psychological data for psychological
evaluation, through the use of tests,
interviews, case studies, behavioral
observation, and specially designed
apparatuses and measurement procedures
Terms & Definitions
◼ Psychological Testing
◼ The measuring of psychology-related
variables by means of devices or
procedures designed to obtain samples of
behavior
Terms & Definitions
◼ Psychological Construct
◼ An informed, scientific idea developed or
generated to describe or explain behavior
◼ Intelligence
◼ Personality
◼ Anxiety
◼ Job satisfaction
◼ Assumption that constructs can be
measured
Terms & Definitions
◼ Contrast Tests & Assessment
◼ Contrast Measurement & Evaluation
◼ Tests as Tools
Terms & Definitions
◼ Psychometrics
◼ The science of psychological measurement
◼ Psychometric Quality
◼ Norms
◼ Reliability
◼ Validity
Assumptions of Assessment
1. Psychological constructs, states, & traits
exist.
2. Psychological constructs, states, & traits
can be quantified and measured.
3. Various approaches to measuring aspects
of the same thing can be useful.
4. Assessment can provide answers to some
of life’s most momentous questions.
Assumptions of Assessment
(cont.)
5. Assessment can pinpoint phenomena that
require further attention or study.
6. Various sources of data enrich and are part
of the assessment process.
7. Various sources of error are part of the
assessment process.
8. Tests and other measurement techniques
have strengths and weaknesses.
Assumptions of Assessment
(cont.)
9. Test-related behavior predicts non-test-
related behavior.
10. Present-day behavior sampling predicts
future behavior.
11. Testing and assessment can be conducted
in a fair and unbiased manner.
12. Testing and assessment can benefit society.
Sources of Test Information
◼ Test Manuals
◼ Test Catalogues
◼ Reference volumes
◼ Mental Measurements Yearbook (MMY)
◼ http://buros.unl.edu/buros/jsp/lists.jsp
◼ Tests in Print
◼ Journal Articles