Chapter 1Chapter 1

Introduction Introduction

What a test is What a test is

A measurement device or technique used to quantify A measurement device or technique used to quantify behavior or aid in the understanding and prediction of behavior or aid in the understanding and prediction of behaviorbehavior

What does it mean when someone gets 75 items correct What does it mean when someone gets 75 items correct on a 100-item test ?on a 100-item test ?

75% of the items were answered correctly 75% of the items were answered correctly The meaning of this score can change, depending on The meaning of this score can change, depending on

how a well-defined sample of individuals scores on a test how a well-defined sample of individuals scores on a test Scales: relate raw scores on test items to some defined Scales: relate raw scores on test items to some defined

or empirical distribution. or empirical distribution.

Types of tests Types of tests Individual test Individual test vs vs Group test Group test Achievement test Achievement test : refers to previous learning : refers to previous learning Aptitude testAptitude test: the potential for learning or acquiring a specific skill: the potential for learning or acquiring a specific skill Intelligence testsIntelligence tests: refers to a person’s general potential to solve problems, adapt : refers to a person’s general potential to solve problems, adapt

to changing circumstances, think abstractly and benefit from experience. to changing circumstances, think abstractly and benefit from experience. Personality testsPersonality tests: the tendency of a person to show a particular behavior in a : the tendency of a person to show a particular behavior in a

given situation given situation Structured personality testsStructured personality tests: the subject has to choose between 2 or more : the subject has to choose between 2 or more

alternative responses alternative responses Projective personality testsProjective personality tests: the stimulus or the required response are : the stimulus or the required response are

ambiguous. ambiguous.

.. Answer specificAnswer specificquestions and aid inquestions and aid inmaking relevantmaking relevant decisionsdecisions

Psychometrists : technical aspects of testing

Psychometrists : use tests to obtain data

Psychometrist vs a clinician conducting psychological assessment

Role of the clinician Role of the clinician

Role of the clinician Role of the clinician

Psychological assessment Psychological assessment : evaluate an individual in a : evaluate an individual in a problem situation so that the information derived from problem situation so that the information derived from the assessment can help with the problem. Integrate their the assessment can help with the problem. Integrate their knowledge into the interpretation of tests results. knowledge into the interpretation of tests results.

Assessment Assessment includes as well conducting structured and includes as well conducting structured and unstructured interviews, the use of scales, behavioral unstructured interviews, the use of scales, behavioral observations in natural settings, observations of observations in natural settings, observations of interpersonal relations, neuropsychological assessments interpersonal relations, neuropsychological assessments and behavioral assessment. and behavioral assessment.

Testing and assessment Testing and assessment

Administering, scoring , Administering, scoring , and interpreting tests and interpreting tests scores. Measure the scores. Measure the magnitude of a trait or magnitude of a trait or attitude. attitude.

Psychological testing Psychological testing : : the process of measuring the process of measuring psychology-related psychology-related variables by means of variables by means of devices or procedures devices or procedures designed to obtain a designed to obtain a sample of behaviorsample of behavior

Tests are only one type of tool used Tests are only one type of tool used by assessors. A test’s value is by assessors. A test’s value is linked to the knowledge, skill and linked to the knowledge, skill and experience of the assessor.experience of the assessor.

Psychological assessment Psychological assessment : : gathering and integration of gathering and integration of psychology-related data for the psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological purpose of making a psychological evaluation, accomplished through evaluation, accomplished through the use of tools such as tests, the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral interviews, case studies, behavioral observations observations

Testing Assessment

The process of The process of assessment assessment Referral for assessment ; teacher, school Referral for assessment ; teacher, school

psychologist, counselor, judge, clinician, psychologist, counselor, judge, clinician, corporate human resource specialist. corporate human resource specialist.

Use of tests and other tools Use of tests and other tools Report writingReport writing Minimal input from the assessee vs collaboration Minimal input from the assessee vs collaboration

between the assessor and the assessee. between the assessor and the assessee. Collaborative psychological assessment ; the Collaborative psychological assessment ; the

assessor and assessee work as partners. The assessor and assessee work as partners. The assessee is seen as expert about his or her assessee is seen as expert about his or her current views and remembered life events current views and remembered life events

Collaborative psychological Collaborative psychological assessment assessment

Therapeutic psychological assessment

Encourages self-discovery and new understandings through the assessment

process

Dynamic psychological

assessment Interactive evaluation ,

various types of assessors intervening

The tools of The tools of psychological psychological assessment assessment

The testThe test Measuring device or procedure designed to measure variables Measuring device or procedure designed to measure variables

related to psychology. Analysis of a sample of behaviorrelated to psychology. Analysis of a sample of behavior Different content, format, administration procedures, scoring and Different content, format, administration procedures, scoring and

interpretation proceduresinterpretation procedures Cut score ; reference point, usually numerical, derived by judgment Cut score ; reference point, usually numerical, derived by judgment

and used to divide a set of data into 2 or more classifications. and used to divide a set of data into 2 or more classifications. Psychometrics : the science of psychological measurement Psychometrics : the science of psychological measurement Psychometric soundness: how consistent and how accurately Psychometric soundness: how consistent and how accurately a psychological test measures what it purports to measure. a psychological test measures what it purports to measure.

The tools of The tools of psychological psychological assessment assessment

The interview The interview Nonverbal and verbal behaviorNonverbal and verbal behavior Over the phone, by means of electronic data.Over the phone, by means of electronic data. A method of gathering information through direct A method of gathering information through direct

communication involving reciprocal exchange. communication involving reciprocal exchange. Differ with regard to variables such as their purpose, their Differ with regard to variables such as their purpose, their

length, and the willingness of the interviewee to provide length, and the willingness of the interviewee to provide information candidly. information candidly.

Help make diagnostic or treatment decisions. Help make diagnostic or treatment decisions. Panel interview; more than one interviewee participates in Panel interview; more than one interviewee participates in

the assessment of personnel. the assessment of personnel. Interviewers differ in their ability to convey genuineness, Interviewers differ in their ability to convey genuineness,

empathy and humor. empathy and humor.

The tools of The tools of psychological psychological assessment assessment The portfolio The portfolio Work sampleWork sample Distinct advantages in assessing Distinct advantages in assessing

the effectiveness of teachers. the effectiveness of teachers.

The tools of The tools of psychological psychological assessment assessment Case history dataCase history data Can shed the light on an individual’s past and Can shed the light on an individual’s past and

current adjustment, as well as events and current adjustment, as well as events and circumstances that may have contributed to any circumstances that may have contributed to any changes in adjustment. changes in adjustment.

Neuropsychological evaluations; provide Neuropsychological evaluations; provide information about neuropsychological information about neuropsychological functioning prior to the occurrence of the trauma functioning prior to the occurrence of the trauma

School psychologists; answer questions about School psychologists; answer questions about the course of a student’s developmental history. the course of a student’s developmental history.

The tools of The tools of psychological psychological assessment assessment Behavioral observationBehavioral observation Monitoring the actions of others or oneself by Monitoring the actions of others or oneself by

visual or electronic means recording visual or electronic means recording qualitative and/or quantitative information qualitative and/or quantitative information regarding the actions. regarding the actions.

Diagnostic aid in a clinical setting or as a Diagnostic aid in a clinical setting or as a means of data collection in basic research. means of data collection in basic research.

In a laboratory or otherwise structured In a laboratory or otherwise structured settings vs naturalistic observation. settings vs naturalistic observation.

Not economically feasible for the private Not economically feasible for the private practitioner. practitioner.

The tools of The tools of psychological psychological assessment assessment Role play tests Role play tests A tool of assessment wherein assessees are A tool of assessment wherein assessees are

directed to act as if they were in a particular directed to act as if they were in a particular situation. situation.

Evaluated with regard to their expressed Evaluated with regard to their expressed thoughts, behaviors, abilities,… thoughts, behaviors, abilities,…

Computers as toolsComputers as tools Computer assisted psychological assessment Computer assisted psychological assessment

(CAPA) refers to the convenience and economy (CAPA) refers to the convenience and economy of time in administering, scoring, and of time in administering, scoring, and interpreting tests. interpreting tests.

The tools of psychological The tools of psychological assessment in summary assessment in summary

THE TEST

THE INTERVIEW

CASE HISTORY DATA

Analysis of a sample of behavior psychometric soundness: how consistent and how accurately a test measures what it is purports to measure.

A method of gathering information through direct communication involving reciprocal exchangeHelp make diagnostic or treatment decisions.

Past and current adjustment Events and circumstances that may have contributed to changes

CONTEXT OF CLINICAL CONTEXT OF CLINICAL ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT

Clinicians must place testing procedures and test Clinicians must place testing procedures and test scores in an appropriate context.scores in an appropriate context.

Clarify the referral question. Clarify the referral question. Understand the referral context , clarify aspects Understand the referral context , clarify aspects

of the reason for referral. of the reason for referral. Follow ethical guidelines Follow ethical guidelines Identify and work with test biasIdentify and work with test bias Select the most appropriate instrument for the Select the most appropriate instrument for the

variable being studied variable being studied Make appropriate use of computer-assisted Make appropriate use of computer-assisted

interpretation. interpretation.

Types of referral Types of referral settings settings

Thorough investigation of the underlying motive for a Thorough investigation of the underlying motive for a referral referral

Respond to the referral question in its broadest contextRespond to the referral question in its broadest context The clinician and the referral source should work together to The clinician and the referral source should work together to

place the client’s difficulty in a practicable context. place the client’s difficulty in a practicable context. Clinicians need to specify the relevance of the psychological Clinicians need to specify the relevance of the psychological

evaluation in determining different alternatives and their evaluation in determining different alternatives and their possible outcomes. possible outcomes.

Psychiatric setting Psychiatric setting

The psychiatrist may be asking the referral question in the The psychiatrist may be asking the referral question in the role of administrator, psychotherapist, or physicianrole of administrator, psychotherapist, or physician

Administrator in a ward: must take decisions about suicide Administrator in a ward: must take decisions about suicide risk, admission/discharge, the suitability of a wide variety risk, admission/discharge, the suitability of a wide variety of medical procedures and issues about custody, freedom of medical procedures and issues about custody, freedom of the patient. of the patient.

Psychologist performing assessments must make a DSMIV Psychologist performing assessments must make a DSMIV diagnosis, determine the suicide risk, the activities in diagnosis, determine the suicide risk, the activities in which the patient must be involved, and the method of which the patient must be involved, and the method of

therapy that would most likely to benefit them. therapy that would most likely to benefit them.

Psychiatric setting Psychiatric setting

Psychiatrists evaluating a patient for possible Psychiatrists evaluating a patient for possible psychotherapy involve the appropriateness of the client psychotherapy involve the appropriateness of the client for such therapy, the strategies that are most likely to e for such therapy, the strategies that are most likely to e effective, and the likely outcomes of therapy. effective, and the likely outcomes of therapy.

Such an evaluation can elaborate on likely problems Such an evaluation can elaborate on likely problems that may occur during the course of therapy ,capacity that may occur during the course of therapy ,capacity for insight, diagnosis, level of resistance, degree of for insight, diagnosis, level of resistance, degree of functional impairment, and problem complexity. functional impairment, and problem complexity.

A psychiatrist may also refer a defensive patient who A psychiatrist may also refer a defensive patient who cannot or will not verbalize his or her concerns and ask cannot or will not verbalize his or her concerns and ask whether this person is schizophrenic. whether this person is schizophrenic.

General medical General medical setting:setting:

2/3 of patients seen by physicians have primarily psychosocial difficulties 2/3 of patients seen by physicians have primarily psychosocial difficulties Patients with established medical diagnosis have psychological disorders Patients with established medical diagnosis have psychological disorders

in addition to medical ones (somatization disorders). in addition to medical ones (somatization disorders). Coronary heart disease, asthma, allergies, ulcers and headaches possess a Coronary heart disease, asthma, allergies, ulcers and headaches possess a

significant psychosocial component. Psychological factors are related to significant psychosocial component. Psychological factors are related to disease and to the maintenance of health. disease and to the maintenance of health.

Cost-effective treatment and prevention of psychosocial aspects of Cost-effective treatment and prevention of psychosocial aspects of medical complaints for areas such as preparation for smoking-cessation, medical complaints for areas such as preparation for smoking-cessation, surgery, rehabilitation of chronic pain patients, obesity, interventions for surgery, rehabilitation of chronic pain patients, obesity, interventions for coronary heart disease, and somatizing patients. Millon behavioral heath coronary heart disease, and somatizing patients. Millon behavioral heath inventory,Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic. inventory,Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic.

General medical General medical setting setting Assessment's of a patient’s neuropsychological status Assessment's of a patient’s neuropsychological status Evaluates how the person is functioning as a result of Evaluates how the person is functioning as a result of

possible brain abnormalitiespossible brain abnormalities Areas of assessment focus on the presence of possible Areas of assessment focus on the presence of possible

intellectual deterioration in areas such as memory, intellectual deterioration in areas such as memory, sequencing, abstract reasoning, and executive abilities. sequencing, abstract reasoning, and executive abilities.

Address the nature and extent of identified lesions, Address the nature and extent of identified lesions, localizations of lesions, emotional status of neurologically localizations of lesions, emotional status of neurologically impaired patients, extent of disability, and suggestions for impaired patients, extent of disability, and suggestions for treatment planning ( cognitive rehabilitation, vocational treatment planning ( cognitive rehabilitation, vocational training, readjustment to family and friends). training, readjustment to family and friends).

Legal context Legal context

Assess the reliability of a witness or help evaluate the quality Assess the reliability of a witness or help evaluate the quality of information by a witness. of information by a witness.

Help in supporting an insanity plea, help in jury selection, or Help in supporting an insanity plea, help in jury selection, or document that brain damage has occurred. document that brain damage has occurred.

Help determine a sentence, determine the type of Help determine a sentence, determine the type of confinement and level of dangerousness, or plan a confinement and level of dangerousness, or plan a rehabilitation program. rehabilitation program.

Used most frequently in child custody cases, competency of a Used most frequently in child custody cases, competency of a person to dispose from property, juvenile commitment… person to dispose from property, juvenile commitment…