GENERAL INTRODUCTION – PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

DEFINITION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS:

In earlier days, when Binet first introduced psychological testing designed to help determine
the appropriate classes for school children. Testing was the term used to refer to everything
from the administration of a test to the interpretation of a test score. A test is simply defined
as a measuring device or procedure.

A Psychological test is a standardized measure of a sample of a person’s behavior that is

used to measure the individual differences that exist among people. A psychological test is an
objective and standardized measure of an individual’s mental and/or behavioral
characteristics. A Psychological test is a systematic procedure or observing person’s behavior
or performing, describing it with the aid of a numerical scale or category system. Mostly tests
are used as a way of measuring differences between people or differences in the same person
over time. Psychological tests are written, visual, or verbal evaluations administered to assess
the cognitive and emotional functioning of children and adults.

Psychological assessment is the gathering and integration of psychology related data for the
purpose of making a psychological evaluation that is accomplished through the use of tools
such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observation and specially designed
apparatuses and measurement procedures.

Psychological testing is defined as the process of measuring psychology-related

variables(intelligence, personality, aptitude, interest, attitude, values) by means of devices or
procedures designed to obtain a sample of a behavior.

IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS:

Psychological testing has a pervasive and influential role in diverse fields and the importance
of understanding it in today’s complex society:

 Emergence and Flourishing of Applied Psychology Branches:

Neuropsychology, health psychology, forensic psychology, and child psychology emerged

and thrived during the specified decades. These branches extensively utilized psychological
tests in different settings for assessment purposes.
  Role of Psychological Testing in Different Fields:

Neuropsychologists employed tests in clinical settings to assess brain injuries. Health

psychologists utilized tests and surveys in medical settings. Forensic psychologists applied
tests in the legal system to evaluate mental state for issues like insanity defense, trial
competency, and emotional damages. Child psychologists employed tests to assess childhood
disorders.

 Global Use of Psychological Tests:

Psychological tests are widely used in developed countries worldwide.

 Importance and Controversy of Psychological Testing:

Psychological testing remains both important and controversial in the field of psychology.
The material on psychological testing is considered valuable for students pursuing various
professional goals.

 Relevance Beyond Psychology:

The principles, applications, and issues of psychological testing extend beyond psychology
into various professions, such as law, medicine, social work, business management, and
education. Even as a parent, encountering tests taken by children is likely.

 Testing as an Essential Element of Psychology:

Not all psychologists use tests, but all areas of psychology rely on measurements for
knowledge gained through research studies. Basic principles of measurement are essential for
studying human behavior effectively.

 Responsibility and Future Impact:

Emphasis on the responsibility of individuals, even those not planning to become

psychologists, to understand psychological tests. Given threats to limit test use, having
knowledge about psychological tests is seen as crucial for making informed decisions.

 Importance of Academic Testing:

Academic aptitude testing is highlighted, with millions of students taking tests for academic
progress or suitability. The prevalence of various tests, such as college entrance exams,
advanced placement exams, and specialized tests for admission to different professional
schools, is discussed.
  Global Testing Statistics:

Statistics on the number of tests administered annually by organizations like the Educational
Testing Service in numerous countries for various purposes, including education, research,
and evaluation.

 Impact of Test Results on Critical Life Decisions:

The results of these tests are emphasized as influential in critical life decisions.

MAJOR CLASSIFICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS:

Psychological tests can be various types; designed to measure different elements of human
brain development

1. Intelligence Tests: -

These of course measure the level of intelligence present in the individual. It also assesses
the person’s ability to relate to its foreign environment. Some of the well-known and widely
used tests of this category are

 Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale

 Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

2. Personality Tests: -

These tests measure the type and traits of the individual’s personality. These tests are used
for clinical purposes. Examples of some commonly known attitude tests are as follows

 Rorschach or Inkblot test

 Thematic Apperception Test
 Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory or MMPI

3. Attitude Tests: -

The individual’s attitude towards the environment, other people or places is judged in
this kind of test. Some common examples are

 Likert Scale
 Thurstone Scale
 4. Neuro-psychology Tests: -

The Neuro-psychological tests are usually conducted when an individual has suffered a
traumatic stress or injury. To check the proper cognitive functioning of the brain, these
kinds of tests are conducted. Some typical examples of these tests include

 Benton Visual Retention Test

 Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
 Halstead Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery

5. Achievement Tests: -

Achievement tests are also a type of psychological tests that measure your ability to
comprehend a specific topic; for example, mathematics.

 Peabody Individual Achievement Test

 Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
6. Aptitude Tests: -

The aptitude tests measure the potential of performance in a person. Examples are,

 Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

 Bloomberg Aptitude Test

These were some of the different types of psychological tests that are commonly used for
measurement of mental abilities and cognitive abilities. They can either be used as
assessments for screening at corporate or educational institutes, or they can be used for
clinical purposes to diagnose the issue and then to prescribe the best possible treatment
for the psychological problem.

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT:

Psychometric properties refer to the characteristics and qualities of psychological assessments

or tests that are designed to measure psychological constructs. These properties are essential
for ensuring the reliability and validity of assessments. Some key psychometric properties
are:

1. Objectivity:
 The test should be free from subjective—judgement regarding the ability, skill,
knowledge, trait or potentiality to be measured and evaluated.

2. Reliability:

This refers to the extent to which they obtained results are consistent or reliable. When
the test is administered on the same sample for more than once with a reasonable gap of
time, a reliable test will yield same scores. It means the test is trustworthy. There are
many methods of testing reliability of a test.

3. Validity:

It refers to extent to which the test measures what it intends to measure. For example,
when an intelligent test is developed to assess the level of intelligence, it should assess the
intelligence of the person, not other factors. Validity explains us whether the test fulfils
the objective of its development. There are many methods to assess validity of a test.

4. Norms:

Norms refer to the average performance of a representative sample on a given test. It

gives a picture of average standard of a particular sample in a particular aspect. Norms are
the standard scores, developed by the person who develops test. The future users of the
test can compare their scores with norms to know the level of their sample.

5. Practicability:

The test must be practicable in- time required for completion, the length, number of items
or questions, scoring, etc. The test should not be too lengthy and difficult to answer as
well as scoring.

REFERENCES:

Kaplan, R. M., & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2001). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, and
issues. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Cohen, R. J., Swerdlik, M. E., & Phillips, S. M. (1996). Psychological testing and
assessment: An introduction to tests and measurement. Mayfield Publishing Co.