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Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychological Testing

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Introductions

Who am I?

Who are you?

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Syllabus Review

Teaching Philosophy Course Objectives

1. Identify and discuss various categories of assessments

2. Evaluate the reliability and validity of an assessment tool

3. Explain the methods for developing and implementing various assessment tools

4. Critically appraise the legal and ethical issues in assessments

5. Appreciate the uses and understand the misuses of assessment, past and present

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Syllabus Review

How to communicate with me: bmcleod@vcu.edu Office Hours: Tuesday 10:45 –

12:30pm or by appointment

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Syllabus Review

Required Materials Kaplan & Saccuzzo (2008).

Psychological testing: Principles, Applications, and Issues

http://www.coursesmart.com/

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Grading Criteria

4 Exams (100 pts) = 400 pts (89% of grade)20 In-class activities (3 pts each) = 50 pts (11% of grade)Total: 450 pointsFeedback after each test

GRADES A 405 – 450 points

B 360 – 404 points C 315 – 359 points D 270 – 314 pointsF 269 points and below

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Syllabus Review

In-class Activities Note cards and/or paper

Attendance Policy Valid excuses: illness, bereavement,

school required functions, weather conditions for commuters

Invalid excuses: overslept, appointments (doctor, dentist, other), work, vacation, parking problems

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Test Prep

psychology.wadsworth.com/kaplan_saccuz

Study Guide

Overlap between lecture and book

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Chapter 1: Learning Objectives

1. Define basic terms (test, item) pertaining to psychological tests

2. Distinguish between group & individual tests

3. Define the terms achievement, aptitude, & intelligence and a concept that unifies the 3 terms

4. Distinguish between ability & personality tests

5. Define structured personality test and how it differs from a projective personality test

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What exactly is a psychological test?

Measurement device or technique used to quantify behavior.

E.g., a spelling test, Stanford-Binet

Facilitates the understanding of behavior. Overt (observable) and/or covert (private) behavior

Allows for prediction of behavior. E.g., SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT

Items: a specific stimulus to which a person responds overtly

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Group vs. Individual Tests

Individual Tests Cognitive Tests (e.g., Stanford-Binet) Personality Tests (e.g., Rorschach

Inkblot Test)

Group Tests SAT College Tests

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Overview of the Book/Course

Principles of Psychological Testing Chapters 1-7 Reliability, Validity, Stats, Administration

Applications of Psychological Testing Chapters 8-18 Most popular tests, how they were

developed, how they are usedIssues of Psychological Testing Chapters 19-21 Test bias, Ethics, Law

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In-Class Exercise

Psychiatric Hospitals/ClinicsMedical Hospitals/ClinicsFamily or Child Guidance CentersElementary and High SchoolsColleges or UniversitiesCriminal and Civil CourtsBusinesses and Industries

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Types of TestsTests include a broad array of evaluation procedures, such as:

The Clinical Interview

Personality Testing: ObjectiveProjectiveInterest Inventories

Informal Assessment:Records and Personal DocumentsClassification TechniquesObservationRating Scales

Ability Testing:AchievementAptitude

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Prior to the European Union, the unit of currency (money) of the Netherlands was the:

     mark      dollar

     guilder      pound      crown

What might this evaluate?

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Prior to the European Union, the unit of currency (money) of the Netherlands was the:

     guil guilder der

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What might this evaluate?

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B

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Ability Tests

ABILITY(All of What One Can Do)

ACHIEVEMENT APTITUDE

INTELLIGENCE(Have Learned) (Capable of Learning) (General

potential to solve problems, think abstractly, profit from experience)

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Ability Tests

Ability – all a person can doAchievement – previous learningAptitude – potential for learning a specific skill E.g., musical aptitude

Intelligence – general potential for learning (more global than aptitude)

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What might this evaluate?

(Circle the number): 0 I do not feel sad. 1 I feel sad. 2 I am sad all the time and I can’t

snap out of it. 3 I am so sad or unhappy that I

can’t stand it.

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What might this evaluate?

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Personality Tests

Personality Tests

Projective Tests Structured Personality Tests

Personality Tests - related to overt or covert disposition of the individual Structured Tests – individual provides

answers to specific questions Projective Tests – stimulus is ambiguous

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Structured Personality Test

1. I wet the bed.

2. I drink a quart of whiskey each day.

3. I am afraid of closed spaces.

4. I believe I am being followed.

5. People are out to get me.

No

False

Yes

True

“Forced Choice”2 options only

Woodworth Personal Data Sheet (1920) – First Personality Inventory

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Chapter 1: Learning Objectives

1. Define basic terms (test, item) pertaining to psychological tests

2. Distinguish between group & individual tests

3. Define the terms achievement, aptitude, & intelligence and a concept that unifies the 3 terms

4. Distinguish between ability & personality tests

5. Define structured personality test and how it differs from a projective personality test

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Questions to Consider When Assessing People

How valid is the information gained from assessment instruments and how should that information be applied?How do assessment instruments invade one’s privacy and does the government have, at times, the right to insist an individual be assessed?Can the use of assessment instruments, in some cases, lead to labeling and what are the implications for the individuals who are “labeled.”Are assessment procedures used to foster equality for ALL people, or do they tend to create a society based on class.