Psy 475 Introduction To Psychological Testing
Introduction to Psychological Testing Paper
Eric Sotelo
PSYCH/475
February 20, 2013
John Papazafiropoulos, C.A.F.
Abstract
We will summarize the major assumptions and fundamental questions associated with psychological testing by addressing the definition of what a test is, describe the major categories of tests and identify the major uses and users of these tests, compare and contrast the concepts of reliability and validity and discuss how they affect the field of psychological testing.
What is a test?
Major Test Categories and their Uses There are five major categories of tests: mental ability, achievement, personality, interests and attitudes, and neuropsychological tests. These tests have specific meanings and uses:
Mental Ability Tests In psychological testing, mental ability includes a variety of cognitive functions which include: memory, spatial visualization, and creative thinking (Hogan, 2007). Historically, psychological testing has been associated with intelligence testing in a very broadened sense. Psychological tests are subdivided individually, group-administered and several different other tests (Hogan, 2007). Examples of administered intelligence tests are the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), The Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale …show more content…
This test type can have a vast array of varieties of tests used to measure knowledge ability. This test type is subdivided into several categories starting with achievement batteries used in elementary and middle school (Hogan, 2007). Some of these examples include: the Stanford Achievement Test, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, & the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (Hogan, 2007). These tests cover the areas of mathematics, language, science, and social studies. The next subdivision covers single-subject tests (Hogan,
Eric Sotelo
PSYCH/475
February 20, 2013
John Papazafiropoulos, C.A.F.
Abstract
We will summarize the major assumptions and fundamental questions associated with psychological testing by addressing the definition of what a test is, describe the major categories of tests and identify the major uses and users of these tests, compare and contrast the concepts of reliability and validity and discuss how they affect the field of psychological testing.
What is a test?
Major Test Categories and their Uses There are five major categories of tests: mental ability, achievement, personality, interests and attitudes, and neuropsychological tests. These tests have specific meanings and uses:
Mental Ability Tests In psychological testing, mental ability includes a variety of cognitive functions which include: memory, spatial visualization, and creative thinking (Hogan, 2007). Historically, psychological testing has been associated with intelligence testing in a very broadened sense. Psychological tests are subdivided individually, group-administered and several different other tests (Hogan, 2007). Examples of administered intelligence tests are the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), The Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale …show more content…
This test type can have a vast array of varieties of tests used to measure knowledge ability. This test type is subdivided into several categories starting with achievement batteries used in elementary and middle school (Hogan, 2007). Some of these examples include: the Stanford Achievement Test, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, & the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (Hogan, 2007). These tests cover the areas of mathematics, language, science, and social studies. The next subdivision covers single-subject tests (Hogan,