Psychological_Testing_Paper

Axia College PSY475 Stephanie Mead June 9, 2012 Psychological testing is a test that is designed to explore ones intelligence; such as an IQ test as well as exploring how individuals handle certain situations they are consciously or unconsciously put in. This paper is an attempt to shed some light on the dark and misunderstood while elaborating and answering basic questions and addressing concerns and assumptions that coincides with psychological testing. This paper will define the term test, touch on the major categories; identifying uses and its users, and finally will compare and contrast reliability and validity concepts and the effect they have on the complete field of psychological testing (Course Syllabus). Just like any other field where a test is given, psychological tests are implemented to enhance the decision making of those who are giving the test to others about those whom they are giving the test to. Basically the psychological test is to find out where these individuals are mentally by sampling one’s actions when being addressed with situations. Hogan, 2007 says the definition of test, according to the Standards for Education and Psychological Testing is “a device that evaluates or examines a ‘taste’ of one’s actions or behavior and is scored according to the process standard.” It is also mentioned that the test can be helped with its description by numeric categories. There are many different ways the test can be given as well as different aspects of the person whom the test is being performed on. Standard measures and behavior samples play an imperative role in the decision making process. For example, pro athletic teams give tests of all sorts to see if the athletes are able to physically and psychologically handle the pressure of being a professional athlete, the military and colleges; even private high schools, rely on test scores before they allow a student to enroll. The accuracy of these tests is not backed by any type of method that is indisputable but still can be used when a critical decision is being made. In the field of psychological testing while implementing major categories, there are five to be considered. The very first one to be considered without a hiccup is of course is the mental ability test. This particular test consists of group- administered intelligence, individual- administered intelligence, and many more tests that involve abilities and intelligence. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale or WAIS is an example of an individual-administered intelligence test that was given to supply a complete view of one’s mental ability by trained psychologists. The Otis Lennon School Ability Test or OLSAT is an example of a group-administered intelligence test that was given to students grouped in the classroom to examine one’s ability from a mental aspect; and their success in school (Hogan, 2007). The next category considered major is the achievement test. Trying to find out how much knowledge one has in a specific area and the level of their intelligence is the premise of this major category test. Social studies, language arts, reading, science, and math are the subjects that teachers use to asses through this type of testing. Individual achievement tests, single subject, government sponsored programs, batteries, and licensing are five divisions of this this type of testing. Personality testing is the third category of testing that is considered to be major. There are two aspects of focus; projective techniques and objective personality that breakdown the major category of testing personality. The most popular test that is used for the major category is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Category number four on the major category list is the test known as the vocational interest’s measures test which entails attitude and interests measures, subdividing into attitudes and vocational interests scale that are most commonly used in colleges and high schools focusing on areas of interest through the Strong Interest Inventory test. The last major category to be discussed in this paper is the neuropsychological tests that have a focal point of zeroing in on the central nervous system i.e. the brain. These tests are normally given in hospital to patients exploring their metal abilities from a cognitive point of view. These tests are the only out of the five that use tests from the other for categories. Having reliable and valid information from the psychological tests that have been performed is the key to providing the correct placement of the individual who has taken the test. The accuracy of the tool that is doing the measuring falls into the realm of reliability while the extent of the study that enhances a particular concept one is researching to measure lies on the shores of validity. One specific way that reliability and validity effect psychological testing is if a clinical purpose calls for a specific test and the test that is chosen is not the specific one sought the reliability and validity will not be where it would be (lower) had the specific test been used (Friberg, 2010). When one thinks of consistency one thinks of reliable and dependable while the validity is defined by the purpose. Closing, one’s characteristics and traits are examined through psychological tests including, personality, attitudes and interests, achievement, neuropsychological, and ability tests, where the results are used to decide where one needs help in their life. References Friberg, J. C. (2010). Considerations for test selection: How do validity and reliability impact diagnostic decisions. Child Language Teaching & Therapy, 26(26), 77-92. Hogan, T. P. (2007). Psychological Testing. A Practical Introduction (2nd Ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.