Meaning and Nature
Meaning and Nature of Psychological Test A psychological test is an instrument that indicates how much a participant has of the quality the test measures. A test can be defined as a standardized procedure for sampling behavior and describing it with categories or scores. Psychological testing was originally designed for two purposes: to measure intelligence and to detect personality disorders. Over time, psychological testing has expanded to measure diverse concepts.
Psychological tests are written, visual, or verbal evaluations administered to assess the cognitive and emotional functioning of children and adults. Psychological tests are formalized measures of mental functioning. Most are objective and quantifiable; however, certain projective tests may involve some level of subjective interpretation. Also known as inventories, measurements, questionnaires, and scales, psychological tests are administered in a variety of settings, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, outpatient healthcare settings, and social agencies. They come in a variety of formats, including written, verbal, and computer administered. Psychological tests must meet three criteria: (1) Reliability, (2) Standardization, and (3) Validity. Tests are used by a variety of professionals, including school psychologists, special-education teachers, clinical psychologists, guidance counselors, psychiatrists, speech therapists, guidance teachers, nurses and engineers. Tests are used for a variety of purposes, which can be labeled as (1) classification, (2) self-understanding, (3) program evaluation, and (4) scientific inquiry. Classification involves a decision that a person belongs in a certain category. Self-understanding involves using test information as a source of information about oneself. Program evaluation involves the use of tests to assess the effectiveness of a particular program or course of action. For all areas of
Psychological tests are written, visual, or verbal evaluations administered to assess the cognitive and emotional functioning of children and adults. Psychological tests are formalized measures of mental functioning. Most are objective and quantifiable; however, certain projective tests may involve some level of subjective interpretation. Also known as inventories, measurements, questionnaires, and scales, psychological tests are administered in a variety of settings, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, outpatient healthcare settings, and social agencies. They come in a variety of formats, including written, verbal, and computer administered. Psychological tests must meet three criteria: (1) Reliability, (2) Standardization, and (3) Validity. Tests are used by a variety of professionals, including school psychologists, special-education teachers, clinical psychologists, guidance counselors, psychiatrists, speech therapists, guidance teachers, nurses and engineers. Tests are used for a variety of purposes, which can be labeled as (1) classification, (2) self-understanding, (3) program evaluation, and (4) scientific inquiry. Classification involves a decision that a person belongs in a certain category. Self-understanding involves using test information as a source of information about oneself. Program evaluation involves the use of tests to assess the effectiveness of a particular program or course of action. For all areas of