Introduction: Psychological 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