Psy 475 Psychological Testing Research Paper

Introduction to Psychological Testing
Korie Pacondo,
PSY 475
August 18, 2014
Dr. Amy Logsdon

This paper will denote what a test is and how it is utilized as well as if they are valid or reliable as well as explain their achievements to psychology to begin a test is a process that yields information about a sample of behavior or cognitive process in a quantified manner. While many have many different meanings of a test according to (Hogan, 2007). “While there are many meanings for test yet this is one of the most qualifying techniques in the field of psychology. Meanwhile there are many additional tests that have come to pass such as mental ability a test which includes but is not limited to a wide variety
of cognitive function such as memory spatial visualization and creative thinking and intelligence and ability tests. These tests are as follows, The Wechsler intelligence scale as well as the intelligence scale administered to be able to determine an individual’s mental ability to succeed in school at particular subjects at hand.
Major categories of tests and their uses
The next test to deter an individual’s mental capacity and behavior is known as the Otis Lennon school ability test this test is usually group administered in illustration the Wechsler Adult intelligence scale administered to be able to determine an individual’s mental ability to succeed in school in a particular subject. This test will then also highlight an individual’s strengths and their weaknesses at hand. Now the Otis Lennon school ability test is group administered which usually takes place in a classroom setting. While focusing on these additional tests there is also tests that are called the Achievement tests, these tests are designed to measure an individual’s level of knowledge and skills in a particular sub category. .However achievement batteries according to (Hogan, 2007). The graduate record examination is utilized in elementary and secondary schools. The next test to be discussed is the Stanford Achievement test this particular test is designed to measure an individual’s basic skills such as math, reading and writing. While these two are the most common tests as far as in elementary through high school as well as college. Meanwhile
the next test is known as certification or licensing, this test is designed to determine if the individual applying for this particular career has the know how to complete the task at hand. While these tests are usually administered to nurses , teachers and physical therapist just to name a few , keep in mind that the government agencies utilize the statewide achievement test this is also based on basic subjects such as arithmetic . These are known as the National Assessment of Educational progress. The next test is the objective personality test this test is based on a multiple choice as being the blueprint of true and false questions in illustration, the Minnesota Multiphasic personality inventory as well as the Beck Depression Inventory and Eating Disorder Inventory. Tests are then administered to measure depression and eating disorders as well as measure personality traits, within the normal range as well as determine any pathological or disabling conditions. (Hogan, 2007). The next test discussed gets great attention as it is the personality tests in which return utilizes human figure drawings as well as sentence completion.
However when discussing personality tests these tests focus on interests measures vocational interests.
However these tests are utilized in a classroom setting while one is known as the Strong Interest Inventory, this test is designed to measure attitudes toward topics, groups as the focus is usually on capital punishment. The next test is known as the Neuropsychological test this test focuses on the central nervous system this test also determines an individual that has experiencing a memory loss as well as if the individual has a mental decline. Meanwhile there are many tests and many uses for these techniques they can also be labeled as paper and pencil versus performance tests, speed versus power tests, individual versus group tests, maximum versus typical performance and then there is norm reference versus criterion
referenced.
These are however just another way to simplify and be able to categorize these additional tests. In addition to the tests there are reasons behind why these tests are utilized such as the following, Clinical psychology is utilized to help determine if an individual has a mental decline such as schizophrenia. However while all these groups utilize intelligence tests “objective personality tests and projective techniques employ neuropsychological tests counseling psychologist often utilize vocational interest measures. Meanwhile these tests are utilized apart from clinical use, while keep in mind these tests are administered in a group setting as they focus on the ability the individual possess as well as achievement. The individual who administers the test is usually in the field of teaching as well as the school board in the case of an individual applying for college, as these achievement tests are utilized for determining the level of which the student is at.

Comprehend reliability and validity
Now that these tests and their uses have been discussed in great detail the underlying questions is that are these tests reliable and do they hold validation? Before one can understand one must know first that reliability is the stability of the score. (Hogan, 2007) And validity of the test refers to what exactly goes to the test measuring and does the test measure equitable manner across various groups across gender age ethnic and racial groups as well as different geographical areas. However according to (Hogan, 2007). The question is the root. Third the scores are then interpreted meanwhile the norms are based strictly on the underlying test scores of large groups who have taken the test in the past. However knowing how each test is designed will give a full understanding of reliability and validity as well as the norms. So in illustration, validity deals with test measures, exactly what the test was supposed to. While reliability deals with consistency however according to “a measure may be reliable without being valid. (Hogan, 2007). So in illustration that means that a test cannot be valid unless it is reliable.These tests have various purposes to determine if an individual is depressed or perhaps suffering from an eating disorder or perhaps to administer a test to understand an individual’s intelligence level. While all these tests have an underlying purpose to serve in the category of research, differential perspectives. In conclusion, these tests are designed with a group of individuals that actually helped bring education and behavior into a scientific manor. As all these tests focus on the main idea of what results each holds value in their results of all aspects based on weather an individual is being tested on a personality test this will then highlight the individual’s characteristics. In illustration “While testing has expanded in the clinical practice weather in school or businesses as well as the military testing is no longer a new kid on the block , it was accepted as professional practice it was assumed that tests would play prominent in a variety of venues while a number of events signaled this new found maturity. “ (Sierra,

References
Hogan, T.P. (2007) Psychological Testing: A practical Introduction (2nd ed)
Hoboken, N.J: Wiley
Sierra, J, C & Buella-Casal, G (2001) past and present of behavioral assessment international journal of clinical and health psychology1, 225-236