Psych Assessment

• Testing


  Refers to everything from the administration of a test to the interpretation of a test score
• Psychological testing


  The process of measuring psychology-related variables by means of devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior
• Psychological assessment


  Gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation through the use of various tools
• Differences between Psychological Testing and Psychological Assessment


  • Objective vs Typically to answer a referral question
  • Process - Testing may be individual or group vs Assessment is typically individualized
  • Role of Evaluator - Tester is not key vs Assessor is key
  • Skill of Evaluator - Technician-like skills vs Educated selection of tools and thoughtful integration
  • Outcome - Test score vs Logical problem-solving approach
• Other differences between Psychological Testing and Psychological Assessment

  • Degree of complexity - Simpler vs More complex
  • Duration - Shorter vs Longer
  • Sources of data - One person vs Collateral sources
  • Focus - Comparison vs Uniqueness
  • Qualifications - Knowledge of tests vs Knowledge of testing and specialty area
  • Procedural basis - Objectivity and quantification vs Subjectivity and clinical judgment
  • Cost - Inexpensive vs Very expensive
  • Purpose - Obtaining data vs Arriving at a decision
  • Degree of Structure - Highly structured vs Both structured and unstructured
  • Evaluation of results - Relatively simple vs Very difficult
• Test


  A measurement device or technique used to quantify behavior or aid in the understanding and predictions of behavior
• Item


  A specific stimulus to which a person responds overtly that can be scored or evaluated
• Psychological Test


  A device for measuring characteristics of human beings that pertain to overt and covert behavior
• Scales


  Tools that relate raw scores on test items to some defined theoretical or empirical distribution
• Types of Tests


  • Individual tests
  • Group tests
  • Ability tests
  • Achievement tests
  • Aptitude tests
  • Intelligence tests
  • Personality tests - Structured (objective) and Projective
• Variables that distinguish one psychological test/tool of assessment from another

  • Content (subject matter)
  • Format
  • Administration procedures
  • Scoring and interpretation procedures
  • Score
  • Scoring
  • Technical quality - Psychometric soundness and Psychometric utility
• Varieties of Assessment


  • Therapeutic psychological assessment
  • Educational assessment
  • Retrospective assessment
  • Remote assessment
  • Ecological momentary assessment (EMA)
• Process of Assessment


  1. Begins with a referral for assessment

  2. Assessor meets with the assessee or others to clarify aspects of the reason for referral

  3. Selection of the instruments or procedures

  4. Formal assessment begins

  5. Report-writing designed to answer the referral questions

  6. More feedback sessions with the assessee and/or interested third parties may be scheduled
• Participants in the Testing Process

  • Test Authors and Developers
  • Test Publishers
  • Test Reviewers
  • Test Users
  • Test Sponsors
  • Test Administrators/Examiners
  • Test Takers
  • Test Scorers
  • Test Score Interpreters
• Participants in the testing process

  • Test Sponsors
  • Test Developers
  • Test Publishers
  • Test Administrators/Examiners
  • Test Takers
  • Test Scorers
  • Test Score Interpreters
• Test Takers


  • The amount of test anxiety they are experiencing and the degree to which the test anxiety might significantly affect their test results
  • The extent to which they understand and agree with the rationale for the assessment
  • Their capacity and willingness to cooperate with the examiner or to comprehend written test instructions
  • The amount of physical pain or emotional distress they are experiencing
  • The amount of physical discomfort brought on by not having had enough to eat, having had too much to eat, or other physical conditions
  • The extent to which they are alert and wide awake as opposed to nodding off
  • The extent to which they are predisposed to agree or disagree when presented with stimulus statement
  • The extent to which they have received prior coaching
  • The importance they may attribute to portraying themselves in a good (or bad) light
  • The extent to which they are "lucky" and can "beat the odds" on a multiple-choice achievement test (even though they may not have learned the subject matter)
• Trait


  Characteristic behaviors and feelings that are consistent and long lasting
• State


  Temporary behaviors or feelings that depend on a person's situation and motives at a particular time
• Psychological traits and states exist
• Psychological traits and states can be quantified and measured
• Assessment Approaches


  • Collaborative psychological assessment
  • Therapeutic psychological assessment
  • Dynamic assessment
• Tools of Psychological Assessment

  • Psychological Tests
  • Interviews
  • Portfolio Assessment
  • Case History Data
  • Case Study/Case History
  • Behavioral Observation
  • Role-Play Tests
  • Computers
• Measurement


  The process of quantifying the amount or number of a particular occurrence of event, situation, phenomenon, object or person
• Assessment


  The process of synthesizing the results of measurement with reference to some norms and standards
• Evaluation


  The process of judging the worth of any occurrence of event, situation, phenomenon, object or person which concludes with a particular decision
• Current Uses of Psychological Tests

  • Making decisions about people
  • Scientific research on psychological phenomena and individual differences
  • Promoting self-understanding and psychological adjustment
• Uses of Psychological Tests

  • Assessment
  • Setting goals
  • Determining interventions
  • Reviewing progress
  • Closure
• Types of Interviews


  • Structured
  • Unstructured
  • Semi-structured
• Test-related behavior predicts non-test-related behaviors
• Tests and other measurement techniques have strengths and weaknesses
• Various sources of error are part of the assessment process
• Testing and assessment can be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner
• Testing and assessment benefit society
• Three-Tier System of Psychological Tests

  • Level A
  • Level B
  • Level C