What are the characteristics of Psychological Testing? (5 things)
Measuring psychologically related variables
More specific - tests one domain or area of functioning
Focused on an individual
Test administrator has little influence on the tester (less skill)
Yields test scores - more structured
What are the characteristics of a Psychological Assessment? (6 things)
Gathering psychologically related data in order to make a psych evaluation
More comprehensive - tests multiple areas of functioning
Solves a complex problem or answers a complex question
More individualized
Test administrator has more control over which tests are given (requires more skill or training)
Integrates data from many sources
What is the process of assessment?
Referral question (why?)
Select tools/tests
Formally assess
Report findings
Feedback sessions or intervention
What is Collaborative Assessment?
The examiner and examinee work as “partners”
What is Dynamic Assessment? What is the purpose?
Starts with an evaluation, followed by intervention, followed by another evaluation
Meant to determine the effects of the intervention/treatment and if it was effective
What is Therapeutic Psychological Assessment? (general definition)
When therapeutic self-discovery is encouraged throughout the assessment process, rather than just at the end when recommendations are given
- Attempts to make the process as a whole beneficial to the individual
What are some characteristics of a Therapeutic Model? (6 things)
Main goal is self-discovery and transformation
Emphasis is on feedback and sharing (requires a collaborative approach or bilateral exchange)
More process focused
Requires higher skill level/training
Nomothetic and ideographic
Direct benefits from the process rather than just benefits from treatment
What are characteristics of an Information-Gathering Model of Assessment? (6 things)
Collecting information in a one-sided way (unilateral exchange)
Feedback is minimized and little info is shared with the client (professionals make the decisions for them)
Focuses on test scores, statistics, and giving recommendations
The benefits of the process come after (with the selection of treatment)
Examiners are seen more as objective observers
Nomothetic
What is a Nomothetic interpretation?
Looking at universal concepts or traits that apply to everyone or describe all people, then describing how one individual compares to the group using said traits
(More general and focuses on comparison to others)
What is an Ideographic interpretation?
Looking to understand the traits or unique characteristics of a single individual, without comparing them to others
(More specific and focuses on comparison within oneself, such as contrasting who I was yesterday to who I am today)
What are some potential benefits to using Therapeutic Assessment? (3 things)
Increased self-esteem, hope, motivation, and self-awareness
Decreased symptomatology and feelings of isolation
Enhanced therapeutic alliance
What are some products of assessment in general? (3 things)
- an integrated report written for the consumer (relating all the data together to make it most informative for the individual)
- answer the initial question
- feedback sessions
What is a Psychological Test in general?
A device or procedure used to measure variables related to psychology
- requires some kind of behavioral response
- can be one part of an assessment
What is Psychometrics or Psychometric Soundness?
The science behind psychological measurement (how we know that our test is sound, of good quality, and consistently/accurately tests what it’s supposed to)
What is Utility?
The usefulness or practical value of a test
What are some examples of Psychological Tests or tools used in assessment? (6 things)
Interview, Portfolio, Case History, Behavioral Observation, Role Play, and CAPA
What is an Interview as a tool in assessment?
Involves direct, reciprocal communication
- generally attends to both verbal and nonverbal information
- quality depends on the skills of the interviewer, such as their pacing, empathy, rapport, etc.
An interview is always a tool used in an assessment
What is a Portfolio?
Samples of one’s abilities or accomplishments (generally used for hiring purposes)
What is a Case History?
Preserved information from a variety of sources (records, transcripts, letters, pictures, etc.) about an individual, used to shed light on their past and help answer the question being asked
What is a Case Study?
A report or account concerning a person or event, created using case history data
What is Behavioral Observation?
Monitoring the actions of others either in person or electronically
What is Naturalistic Observation?
Observing people in a natural setting, where we might expect certain behaviors to occur naturally
What is Role-Playing?
Having the individual act as if they’re in a certain situation
What is CAPA? What are some advantages and disadvantages?
Computer-Assisted Psychological Assessment
Advantages: Faster, more accessible, cheaper, no human error, standardized
Disadvantages: Misses nonverbal cues, trust level varies, lacks empathy, less adaptable, security concerns
-
Chapter 128
-
Chapter 2 - History, Culture, Ethics33
-
Chapter 3 - Review of Stats30
-
Chapter 4 - Assumptions & Norms28
-
Chapter 5 - Reliability45
-
Chapter 6 - Validity33
-
Chapter 7 - Utility16
-
Tech, EMA, & AI12
-
Chapter 8 - Test Development29
-
Chapter 9/10 - Intelligence Testing40
-
Chapter 11/12 - Personality18
