Psychological Tests Ch 15 notes

Psychological Tests Assess abilities, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors Help predict a person’s future behavior Uses: Make important decisions Measure behavior directly Behavior-rating scales (used to measure behavior in specific places like a classroom or at work) Most though are based on self-reports of attitudes, feelings, and behavior

Features of Psych. Tests Standardized: administered and score the same way every time Reliability: consistency Validity: tests what it is meant to Validity scales: questions that if answered a certain way, tell the psychologist that the test-taker is not being honest Helpful but not foolproof Norms: established standards of performance that are designed to tell test administrators which scores are average, high, or low Use norm group

Achievement Tests Measure skills and knowledge that a person has in specific academic area(s) Most tests you’ve taken in high school

Aptitude Tests Measure more specific abilities/skills than intelligence tests do but broader ones than achievement tests Generally used to determine whether a person is likely to do well in a given field of work/study Ex: SATs, MCATs

How can you tell the difference? Aptitude tests intended to measure potential for learning in a specific area Aptitude tests usually given before person has had any training in a specific area Used to predict how well person will do once receive training in area BUT they rely on past achievements All aptitude tests rely on some kind of prior achievement

Vocational Interest Inventories Help determine whether a person’s interests are similar to those of people in various lines of work Ex: Kuder Preference Records: forced-choice format Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory: not as obvious or direct Compares test taker’s interests to those people who are in various kinds of work Interest does not guarantee ability in an area

Personality Tests Can be used to help diagnose psychological problems and disorders Kinds Objective Tests: standardized group of test items in form of questionnaire Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Validity and clinical scales Used to diagnose and classify psychological disorders California Psychological Inventory Measures 15 “normal” personality traits Larger norm group

Projective Tests Have no clearly specified answers Open-ended format Rorschach Inkblot Test Attempts have been made to standardize Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) Validity and reliability not real great

Tips for Taking Tests Gather information about the test Practice: regular study periods Be test-wise: read directions and follow them, have right equipment Multiple-Choice Questions: Answer before look at answers Consider every option Look for opposites Look for best choice Mark difficult questions to come back to Guess only when odds of gaining points outweigh the odds of losing them Change answer if you think you have made a mistake

Short Answer Questions True-False Questions For it to be true, every part must be true Be wary of absolutes like always and never Items that provide info and are longer than others tend to be true Short Answer Questions Answer in brief but complete sentences Include significant terms Use detail if time and space allow Essay Read directions Make a quick outline of answer Express strongest ideas first

Test Anxiety Quite normal to be uncomfortable before a test Not always a bad thing because shows we understand it is important Can be overcome Be prepared Overlearn Think helpful thoughts Cognitive restructuring: consciously changing thoughts you have in a particular situation