Psychology is defined as “the scientific study of behavior and the
mind” ("Psychology," 2009). As a part of the scientific study of the
human mind and behavior psychologist use “systematic, objective methods of
observation to study any activity that can be observed, recorder, and measured”
("Psychology," 2009). As a
part of studying the mind and behavior, psychological testing were developed to
assist psychologist in reaching some sort of conclusion in regards to human
behavior. In this essay I will summarize
the major assumptions and fundamental questions associated with psychological
testing. As a part of my summary I will
define the term test, describe the major categories of tests and identify the
major uses and users of these tests and I will compare and contrast the
concepts of reliability and validity and discuss how they affect the field of
psychological testing.
Defining Test
According to the free dictionary by Farlex a test is defined as “a
series of questions, problems, or physical responses designed to determine
knowledge, intelligence, or ability” (The free dictionary by Farlex,
2014). The word test was derived from
“an old French word, with the earliest recorded use in English being by Chaucer
in 1368. In its origin, it meant a cup
used for smelting gold or silver ore, perhaps an apropos reference for some
high-stakes testing today” (Hogan, 2007 p. 38). In general a test is a procedure that can be
used to measure specific factors or abilities.
There are various types of test that cover specific areas such as
intelligence, medical aptitude, personality and many other areas.
Major Test Categories
There are five major test categories, mental ability, achievement,
personality, interests and attitudes and neuropsychological. Mental ability test “measures both general
intelligence and specific intellectual factors” (Laurent, 2007) that includes
an individual’s ability to retain memory, spatial visualization and creative
thinking. Achievement test seeks to
measure an individual’s “level of knowledge or skill in a particular domain”
(Hogan, 2007 p. 6) such as reading and math.
Personality test “measure abstract personality traits, which vary in
their presence on human beings and predispose individuals to certain patterns
of thinking, feeling, and behaving” ("Personality test," 2009). Interest
and attitude test include vocational interest measures that “help individuals
explore job related to their interest” and is commonly used in high school and
colleges. In this category there are also measures of attitude towards topics,
groups and practices” (Hogan, 2007 p.8). Neuropsychological test are designed to
produce information about an individual’s “central nervous system, especially
the brain” (Hogan, 2007 p. 8).
Neuropsychological test are often used in conjunction with other test
such as personality and mental abilities.
Primary Uses and Users of Major Test
There are four separate groups that are considered to be primary
users of the five major test categories previously identified that include
clinical, educational, personnel, and research.
When major test are for clinical use it can be in the “fields of
clinical psychology, counseling, school psychology, and neuropsychology”. When major test are being used for clinical
purposes psychologist are trying to help an individual whom currently has or
may have had some type of problem and the purpose of the test is to “help identify
the nature and severity of the problem, and perhaps provide some suggestions
about how to deal with the problem.
Testing may also help to measure progress in dealing with the problem”
(Hogan, 2007 p.12). Educational
settings are another use of major test by school psychologist or counselors and
the “actual users of the test information include teachers, educational
administrators, parents, and the general public, especially as represented by
such officials as legislators and school boards” (Hogan, 2007 p.12). Major test in educational settings are used
to determine the level at which students are learning through achievement tests
and also to measure the academic success of students in the future. Personnel testing are another use of major
test and are primarily used by businesses and the military. Major test are used
in businesses as well as the military to identify and select individuals that
are qualified to fill available positions and typically will include measures
of “general mental ability, specific job-related skills, and personality
characteristics” (Hogan, 2007 p. 13). Major
test are used when conducting research in “psychology, education, and other
social/behavioral sciences” (Hogan, 2007 p. 14). In the research process the function of the
test “the operational definition of the dependent variable” as well as
“describing samples” and it also “involves research on the tests themselves”
(Hogan, 2007 p.14).
Reliability and Validity
Reliability and validity are two very important aspects of
psychological testing that could be misinterpreted as being one and the same;
however they have completely different meanings. Reliability represents the consistency in the
measurements and the validity represents whether the test measures the purpose
of the test. The value of a test is
determined by reliability and validity because when results are consistent and
support a hypothesis it can help researchers draw conclusion that will allow
for proper diagnosis and treatment for individuals.
Conclusion
Testing is a method that is used to gather information that will
measure certain abilities in individuals such as achievements, personality,
interest and attitudes and neuropsychological. The major categories of test are conducted
in different settings such as clinical, educational, personnel and research
that all serve a main purpose and that is to supply information to the user
that could assist in helping individuals and that is why reliability and
validity is very important. Reliability
and validity shows results that are consistent and specific in relation the
type of test and that is what gives users assistance in providing the necessary
things needed to help individuals.
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