Review

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 1/8

Running head: PHYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

1

Psychological Assessment Guide

Student’s Name

Course Name and Number

Instructor’s Name

Date

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 2/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

Psychological Assessment Guide

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Introduc�on and Overview 2

Tests of Intelligence 4

Development of Intelligence Tests 4

Types of Intelligence Tests 5

Significance of Intelligence Tes�ng 5

Tests of Achievement 6

Survey Test Ba�eries 7

Single Survey Tests 7

Prognos�c Tests 7

Diagnos�c Tests 8

Significance of Tests of Achievement 8

Tests of Ability 9

Significance of the Tests of Ability 10

Applica�on of the Tests of Ability 10

Neuropsychological Tes�ng 11

Significance of The Neuropsychological Evaluation 11

Collec�on of Diagnos�c Informa�on 11

Assessment of Treatment Response 12

Differen�al Diagnos�c Informa�on 12

Personality Tes�ng 12

Myer Briggs Type Indicator 13

Holtzman Inkblot Technique 13

Revised Neo Personality Inventory 13

Enneagram Test 14

Hexaco Personality Inventory 14

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 3/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

Applica�on of Personality Tests 14

Industrial, Occupa�onal and Career Assessment 14

Introduc�on and Types of Assessment Methods for Career, Occupa�on and Industrial Work 14

Significance of Career Assessment 15

Forensic Assessment 16

Differences Between Forensic and Therapeu�c Psychological Assessments 16

Special Topics 17

Tes�ng Adolescents 17

Tes�ng Elementary School-Aged Children 18

Conclusion 18

References 19

Introduction and Overview

A psychological test is usually a set of verbal or written evaluations questions that are used

in the assessment of mental ability and emotional functioning in people. Psychological assessment

is an evaluation method administered by skilled professionals systematically to their patients in

order to make precise projections on the psychological performance of the patient. This is achieved

through observation of the cognitive behaviors and mental abilities. There are various types of

psychological tests that can be administered by the profession in a psychological evaluation

process. This include; tests of intelligence, tests of ability, tests of achievement, personality tests

and neuropsychological tests. Psychological professionals utilize various psychological assessment

which are divide into four major categories, namely; clinical assessment, behavioral assessment,

personality assessment and assessment of Intellectual Functioning (Framingham, 2018). Clinical

assessment is primarily conducted to gather relevant and useful information required the

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 4/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

professional in subsequent evaluation processes. The IQ assessment involves measuring the

general intelligence of the patient using theoretical methods.

Reliability refers to the stability and consistency of the scale measurement, translating to

how it can give consistent results conducted on different times of evaluation (Bannigan & Watson,

2009). Validity refers to the accuracy given by the evaluation scale, that is, the measure of a scale

in measuring what it is precisely intended for in the psychological assessments (Eric, 2014).

Reliability and validity are both essential aspects of psychometrics and can largely influence the

psychological evaluation results. Psychological assessment is a form of accountability for the

psychology profession to the other involved parties especially since it plays a significant role in the

determination of psychological intervention to be used in the subsequent processes. Psychological

assessments play a pivotal role in the identification of psychological issues, evaluation of patients,

planning of appropriate psychological interventions and delivery of information to the patients or

other concerned persons.

The psychological tests that are required in the evaluation of psychological wellness are

mostly effective if administered by a professional. Some of the professionals that are allowed by

law and ability to administer these tests are; licensed psychologists, counselors, psychiatrist, clinical

social workers and psychiatric nurses. Licensed professionals have the skills and experience

required in the administration of tests and interpretation of the results (Framingham, 2018). This is

imperative for the correct diagnosis of the patient which is key in determination of the intervention

methods to be applied in the treatment of the psychology patient. The health professional that is

involved in the administration of the evaluation tests might not be the same one to deliver the

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 5/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

treatment methods required by the patient. In this case, they remain in a better position to

refer the patient to another professional able to meet the psychological treatment requirement of the

patient.

Psychological testing tends to be efficient in cross-cultural settings due to the elimination of

bias and provision of objective results of the constructs being measured. Cultural bias is a statistical

error that can undermine the validity of the tests being conducted. The means of the sampling of

the psychological behaviors and the sort of questions administered can vary across cultures due to

the diverse beliefs and customs being practiced. The alterations made due to the culture-biasness

may affect the results derived from the evaluation process. There are various factors that affect

cross-cultural psychology, such as, the methods of evaluating tests, period taken for the adaptation

of tests made for cross-cultural use and bias that comes with cross-culture administration of

evaluation tests. Already established are numerous reliable steps that can be implemented to be able

to scale up the validity of the tests being administered.

Tests of Intelligence

Development of Intelligence Tests

Before the early eighteenth century, intelligence was primarily measured by simple

observation of an individual’s behavior that would be dictated by a person’s judgement. There are

two most-widely utilized intelligence tests that include; Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, the

Wechsler Scales and the Raven’s Progressive Matrices (Sternberg, 2015). The Stanford Binet test

was first introduced at Stanford University in the early eighteenth century by a psychologist named

Lewis Terman. It was first designed to be administered on kids focusing mainly on their verbal

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 6/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

abilities. The results were used in the diagnosis of learning deficiencies and developmental

rate in young children. Around 1939 there was a psychologist known as David Wechsler that

developed an IQ test that was referred to as the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale. It was a

generally a combination of earlier intelligence tests that had been conducted in the late nineteenth

century and some of which were being used in the World War I where he had been working with

the veterans. The name of the test was later converted to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.

The current Wechsler and Stanford-Binet intelligence tests have gone through a series of scientific

modifications in the last century. New models of intelligence testing have incorporated factors that

go past the conventional IQ testing although the main principles used in the IQ level identification

have only changed slightly.

Types of Intelligence Tests

Tests of intelligence are specifically designed for the measure of mental functions.

Intelligence is abstract and can be affected by several factors like; environment, genetics and socio-

economic status. Successful intelligence is however believed to be composed of cognitive abilities

like creativity which enables one to form new ideas with ease, analytical ability which helps in the

evaluation of ideas and practicality abilities that helps in the incorporation of ideas into practice.

There are various types of intelligence tests such as; musical, spatial, logical-mathematical,

existential, verbal-linguistic and interpersonal intelligence tests. There are various methods used for

the measure of intelligence. The most utilized and standardized test is the ‘intelligence quotient’ test

which assesses various capabilities of an individual in regards to mental state.

The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale and the Wechsler Scales are the most utilized in

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 7/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

psychology for the measure of human intelligence (Reynolds, 1998). The tests offer best

results when administered by a professional due to the dynamics of the operation of the devices

used and interpretation of the results given by the tests. They require a vast knowledge of statistics,

research literature and measurement theory knowledge. They can be administered to an individual

or a group of people. Group intelligence tests are however not common due to their abuse and the

limited information offered by the individuals affecting the final score.

Significance of Intelligence Testing

There exist differing controversies surrounding the measure of human intelligence due to its

abstract nature and the fact that most modern psychologists argue that IQ represents only a fraction

of a person’s intelligence levels (Roberts, et, al., 2001). However, intelligence testing is still widely

accepted and utilized for diverse purposes. The primary objective of intelligence testing remains to

be able to establish a person’s logical, critical and problem-solving skills which are useful in the

determination of the person’s position in the intelligence developmental scale. Standardized

intelligence testing can help in promotion of equality as the results can be used in the admission of

students due to their cognitive abilities according to the tests administered. Intelligence testing can

also be helpful in identification and guidance on the way to assist children that might be

experiencing learning challenges; without which they might fail to get the effective help from their

tutors. There have been cases where Intelligence tests have been used in the administration of

disability benefits form the Social Security Administration. Also, in the justice systems, intelligence

tests have been conducted mainly in courts for the determination of the suitability of the defendant

mentally before their participation in trial. Despite the challenges that have been accompanied in

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

9/4/2019 Psychological Assessment Guide[14044].docx

chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html 8/8

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

22

the testing and interpretation of intelligence results, it is still a powerful psychology method

that is widely accepted and acceptable.

Tests of Achievement

Tests of achievement are conducted by trained personnel to be able to determine a person’s

skills, knowledge and expertise level. Tests of achievements are modelled in a way similar to the

tests of intelligence; only that they concentrate on a person’s abilities. There are various types of

tests of achievement that are standardized. These are; survey test batteries, single survey tests,

prognostic tests and diagnostic tests.

Survey Test Batteries

This type of test involves a set of subject-matter tests that are prepared to be administered to

certain group of students. The administration of these types of tests to people is aimed at

determining their specific position in a group in accordance to their strengths and weaknesses. The

test is used to establish the standing position of the persons taking them on various areas. These

tests are standardized and for all the participants to ensure validity in the direct comparison of the

achievements of each participant (Sternberg, et, al., 2014). These tests have been widely used and

accepted and they are recognized as the most detailed and standardized way of testing

achievement.

Single Survey Tests