Ch_1Final

Psychological Testing and Assessment

Ateneo de Davao University Undergraduate School

2nd Semester

Source: Ericson D. Batican, MSPsych

Psych 225 Psychological Testing Second Semester, 2010-2011

Teacher: Sheryl B. Ramos, RSWCode: 8-307 Housed under : SS Division

Number of Unit(s): 3

Course Description

The course introduces students to the nature, problems and potential psychological testing. Towards the end, this course will have three basic component: a. R(re) introduction to basic psychometrics, an exploration of the psychological idea of “:intelligence”, and a survey of personality assessment. The laboratory will provide hands-on experience in the construction, evaluation and administration of intelligence and personality tests.

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Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, the student should be able to Know the limits and danger inherent in psychological measurementThoroughly be familiar with basic psychometrics conceptsEvaluate the psychometric and clinical characteristics of the most important and widely used psychological tests. Master the various theoretical and ethical and professional uses related to psychological assessmentAssess issues surrounding the important controversies related to intelligence and projective testingDemonstrate with confidence the entire testing processWrite a full psychological assessment report.

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Textbooks and Other References:

Atkinsons and Hilgard’s Introduction to Psychology 14th Edition. 2003. Wadsworth-Thomson Learning. pp 23-26

Cphen, R.J. and Swerdlik, M.E. (1999) Psychological Testing and Assessment. NY:McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Howell, David C. 1987. Statistical Method for Psychology. PWS Publishers.

Punsalan, Twila G. and Uriarte, Gabriel G. 2000. Statistics: A simplified Approach. Rex Bookstore. pp 2-7

Kaplan, R., Sacuzzo, D. (2005) Psychological Testing (6th edition). CA: Wadsworth

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Course Requirements:

Class Attendance & Participation Written Assignments/Insight Papers Quizzes Term Paper Periodic Examination

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Grading System

Advisory GradeQuizzes 20%Written Assignments/Paper 25%

Periodic Examination 40%Class Participation/Oral Presentation

15%

Total 100%6

Method of Instruction:

Class Lecture Student Oral Presentation and

Discussion Case Analysis Write-up Sessions

McClave/Sincish, A First Course in Statistics, 10th ed. Chapter 1: Statistics, Data and

Statistical Thinking

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Topic Requirements/ ActivityIntroduction leveling-off and contract-settingCourse Orientation

Nov 18

1. The World of Psychological Testinga. Introductionb. Major Categories of Testsc. User and Users of Testd. Major Issues: Assumptions and Questions

Class LectureNov 30

1. Statistics Refreshera. Statistical definitionb. Variablesc. Two Branches of Statistical Methods

i. Descriptive and Inferential Statistics d. Types of Scales

i. Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, and Ratio

Class LectureHands on Activity Dec 2

a. Types of Datai. Qualitative, Quantitative , Numeric and Nominal

b. Methods of Collecting Datai.Published Sourceii.Designed Experimentiii.Surveyiv.Observational Study

Presentation of Assignment on Types Data and Methods of Collecting DataDec 7

a. Fundamental Elements of Statisticsi.Experimental Unitii.Populationiii.Variableiv.Sampling

Dec 9Write Up sessions: - Analysis and Presentation of the fundamental elements

a. Statistical Inferenceb. The Normal Distributionc. Measure of Central Tendency, Measures of Variance and

Dispersioni. Mean, Median, Mode, Variance and Standard Deviation

d. Inferential Statistics, Type 1 and Type 2 Error

Dec 14Class Lecture with Resource SpeakerField Visit

Course Synthesis for Prelim Topics Class Synthesis and Prelim ExamDec 16

Statistics REFRESHER

Chapter 1: Statistics, Data, Statistical Thinking and Psychological Tests



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Where We’re Going

Introduction to the field of statistics How statistics applies to real-world problems Types of Psychological Tests Establish the link between statistics and data Differentiate between population and sample

data Differentiate between descriptive and

inferential statistics



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1.1: The Science of Statistics Statistics is the science of data. This

involves collecting, classifying, summarizing, organizing, analyzing and interpreting numerical information.

Data Gathering Getting information through

interviews Questionnaires Objective observation Experimentations Psychological tests And other methods

Statista- a person dealing with affairs of the state (from “stato”- state). It was originally called “state arithmetic”, involving the tabulation of information about nations, especially for the purpose of taxation and planning the feasibility of war.



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1.2: Types of Statistical Applications



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Descriptive statistics utilizes numerical and graphical methods to look for patterns in a data set, to summarize the information revealed in a data set and to present that information in a convenient form.

Pie Chart



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Inferential statistics utilizes sample data to make estimates, decisions, predictions or other generalizations about a larger set of data.



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1.3: Fundamental Elements of Statistics

An experimental unit is an object about which we collect data. Person Place Thing Event



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1.3: Fundamental Elements of Statistics An population is a set of units

in which we are interested. Typically, there are too many

experimental units in a population to consider every one. If we can examine every single

one, we conduct a census.



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A variable is a characteristic or property of an individual unit. For instance, sex, age, eye

color, intelligence, attitude and others



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A sample is a subset of the population.


Descriptive Statistics The population or

sample of interest One or more variables to

be investigated Tables, graphs or

numerical summary tools Identification of patterns

in the data

Inferential Statistics Population of interest One or more variables to

be investigated The sample of

population units The inference about the

population based on the sample data

A measure of reliability of the inference



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1.4: Types of Data

Quantitative Data are measurements that are recorded on a naturally occurring numerical scale. Age GPA Salary Cost of books this semester



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1.4: Types of Data

Qualitative Data are measurements that cannot be recorded on a natural numerical scale, but are recorded in categories. Year in school Live on/off campus Major Gender



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Numeric (quantitative) variable– Interval scales

• e.g., Temperature

Ratio Scale- with true zero point

e.g., score, weight, height– Rank-order (ordinal) variables

• e.g., class rank

Nominal (categorical) variables– e.g., gender

1.5: Collecting Data



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Published Source Designed

Experiment Survey Observational

Study

SOURCE: United States Department of AgricultureForeign Agricultural Service




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Published Source Journal Book Newspaper Magazine (Reliable) Web Site




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Designed Experiment Strict control over the

experiment and the units in the experiment




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Survey Gallup, Harris and other

polls Nielsen




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Observational Study Observe units in natural

settings No control over behavior of

units




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A representative sample exhibits characteristics typical of those possessed by the target population.

A random sample of n units is selected in such a way that every different sample of size n has the same chance of being selected.

Sampling Techniques

1. Probabilistic Sampling

2. Non-probabilistic Sampling



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1.6: The Role of Statistics in Critical Thinking



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Statistical thinking involves applying rational thought and the science of statistics to critically assess data and inferences.




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Selection bias results when a subset of the experimental units in the population have been excluded so that these units have no chance of being selected in the sample.

LANDON IN A LANDSLIDEIn 1936 The Literary Digest predicts Governor Alf Landon of Kansas would defeat President Roosevelt with 57% of the popular vote and 370 electoral votes, the result of polling primarily affluent voters.




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Nonresponse bias results when the researchers conducting a survey or study are unable to obtain data on all experimental units selected for the sample.




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Measurement error refers to inaccuracies in the values of the data recorded. In surveys, this kind of error may be due to ambiguous or leading questions and the interviewer’s effect on the respondent.“Do you prefer Candidate X, father of three and church elder, or Candidate Y, who got the nomination despite his shady past?”

Psychological testing

…is a field characterized by the use of samples of behavior in order to assess psychological construct(s), such as cognitive and emotional functioning, about a given individual.

The technical term for the science behind psychological testing is psychometrics.



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1.7 MAJOR CATEGORIES OF TESTS

Mental Ability Tests Achievement Tests Personality Tests Interests and Attitudes Neuropsychological tests

Thomas P.Hogan, Psychological Testing: A Practical Introduction

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1. Mental Ability Tests

The term mental ability includes a wide variety of cognitive functions, such as memory, spatial, visualization and creative thinking.

39Thomas P.Hogan, Psychological Testing: A Practical Introduction

a. Individually Administered

Examples Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

(WAIS) Stanford –Binet Intelligence Scale


b. Group Administered

Examples Otis-Lennon School Ability Test

(OLSAT) Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT)

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2. Achievement tests

These tests attempt to assess a person’s level of knowledge or skills in a particular domain. Exclude the vast array of teacher-made tests

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a. Batteries

Consists of series of tests in such areas as reading, mathematics, language, science and social studies

Examples Stanford Achievement Tests Metropolitan Achievement Tests Iowa Tests of Basic Skills

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b. Single subject

This covers only one area, such as psychology or geometry


c. Certification, Licensing These tests have important

consequences for people in specific vocational fields

Examples Nursing Teaching Physical Therapy Airline Piloting Social Work

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d. Government Sponsored Programs

Government agencies sponsor certain achievement testing programs

National Elementary Achievement Test (NEAT)

This is a test designed to assess abilities and skills of Grade VI pupils in all public and private elementary schools in five (5) subject areas: English, Filipino, Science, HEKASI and Mathematics.

National Secondary Achievement Test (NSAT)

It aims to assess the abilities and skills of graduating fourth year students to determine their knowledge and capabilities in five (5) subject areas: English, Filipino, Science, Mathematics and Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies).

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d. Government Sponsored Programs

Philippine Validating Tests (PVT)

PTVs are intended to validate learnings acquired by those who enrolled in elementary/secondary schools without permit; those who dropped out of school by force of circumstances before the school year ends; and those who studied in non-graded school. The subject areas are English, Filipino, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies (HEKASI)/Araling Panlipunan). Applicants for the test should get an indorsement from the office of the Regional Director.

Accreditation and Equivalency Program (AEP)

The program aims to retrieve the out-of-school youth and place them in the formal school system if they so desire and accredits and validates knowledge and skills in academic areas gained thru formal, informal and nonformal ways for job promotion, employment and self-fulfillment thru the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT), its test instrument.



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e. Individual Achievement tests

These are some achievement tests that are individually administered in much the same way as individually administered mental ability tests

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3. Personality Tests

This category include the variety of tests designed to yield information about the human personality.

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a. Objective Personality Tests Objective simply means the tests are objectively

scored based on items answered as true-false or similar format.

Examples Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) it provides a

profile how similar the examinee’s response are to the response of several clinical groups

Beck Depression inventory (BDI) Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)

BDI and EDI as suggested their titles. Try to measure depression and eating disorders respectively

b. Projective Techniques With all these techniques, the examinee

encounter relatively simple but unstructured tasks

Example: Rorschach Inkblot Test Human Figure Drawing Sentence Completion Techniques Reaction to Pictures

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Other Approaches

This refers to other myriad ways psychologist have devised to satisfy our limitless fascination with the human personality.

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4. Interests and Attitudes

Vocational Interest Measures These tests are widely used in high

schools and colleges to help individuals explore jobs relevant to their interests.

Examples Strong Interest Inventory (SII) Kuder Career Search (KCS)

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5. Neuropsychological tests These are tests designed to yield information

about the functioning of the central nervous system, especially the brain. It is a separate category to capture tests used specifically to assess brain functions.

Examples: Test of memory for verbal and figural

materials Psychomotor coordination Abstract thinking

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Some additional ways to Categorize Tests

Paper-and-pencil versus performance tests

Speed versus power tests Individual versus group tests Maximum versus Typical Performance Norm-reference versus criterion-

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Uses and Users of Tests

Clinical Educational Personnel Research

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Major Assumptions

People differ in important traits We can quantify these traits The traits are reasonably stable Measures of the traits relate to actual

behavior

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Major Questions

Reliability Validity Norms Test development Practical Issues

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