Psychological Testing,
7/e
Robert J. Gregory
Chapter 1
Applications and
Consequences of
Psychological Testing
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Learning Objectives
1.1 Analyze the varied applications of
psychological testing, its ethical and social
consequences and factors that determine the
soundness of the test
1.2 Illustrate the need for ethical and
professional standards in testing and the
responsibilities of test publishers
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Understanding psychological testing
and assessment
• Why?
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• The Consequences of Testing
- Many types of tests
- Many impacts of testing
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Definition of a Test
- Defining features
- Cautions
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Defining features
• Psychometrician
• A test is standardized if the procedures
for administering it are uniform from one
examiner and setting to another.
• A psychological test is also a limited
sample of behavior.
• Scores or categories
• Norms or standards
• Prediction of nontest behavior
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Cautions
• Test scores include error
• Reification
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Further Distinctions in Testing
- Types of tests
• Norm-referenced
• Criterion-referenced
- Assessment
“Can be defined as appraising or estimating the magnitude of one or more
attributes in a person.”
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Types of Tests
- Administration
Group
Individual
- Major types of psychological tests
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Major types of psychological tests
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Intelligence
Aptitude
Achievement
Creativity
Personality
Interest inventories
Behavioral procedures
Neuropsychological
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Uses of Testing
- Salient principles
- Most common uses of testing
Classification
Diagnosis and treatment planning
Self-knowledge
Program evaluation
Research
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Discussion
• Have you taken an aptitude test or an
intelligence test? How was it?
• SAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT etc are they
justified?
• Neurodiversity through inclusion?
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Factors Influencing the Soundness of
Testing
- Basic principles
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Standardized Procedures in Test
Administration
- Importance of standardized procedures
- Reasons to adjust standardized procedures
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Desirable Procedures of Test
Administration
- Examiner preparation
- Disabilities
- Group Testing
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Influence of the Examiner
- Rapport
- Examiner characteristics
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1.1 The Nature and Uses of
Psychological Testing
• Background and Motivation of the
Examinee
- Test anxiety
- Deception
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Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
Objective 1.2 Illustrate the need for ethical
and professional standards in testing and
the responsibilities of test publishers
© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Activity
• https://www.apa.org/ethics/code?item=5#2
04
• Which one stands out?
• Case studies: What guidelines apply to
each?
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Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
1.2 Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
• The Rationale for Professional Testing
Standards
- Example dilemmas
- Guidelines
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1.2 Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
• Responsibilities of Test Publishers
- Publishing and marketing
Standards for Educational and Psychological
Testing”
- Competence of purchasers
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1.2 Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
• Responsibilities of Test
Users
- Best interests of the client
- Confidentiality and duty to
warn
- Expertise of the test user
- Informed consent
- Standard of care and
communication
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1.2 Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
• Testing of Cultural and Linguistic
Minorities
- Historical background
- Cultural background
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1.2 Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
• Unintended Effects of High-Stakes
Testing
- Cheating: examples
- Cheating: types
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1.2 Ethical and Social Implications of
Testing
• Reprise: Responsible Test Use
- Withholding test results
- Old form of the MMPI
- Use of a translator
- Confidentiality and duty to warn
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