Psyc 351 Measurement Techniques BERNA AKÇİNAR

Review of the Syllabus Content Readings Grading Schedule of classes – attendance

The Origins and History of Psychological Testing

What is Psychological Testing?

Definition of Psychological Testing Measurement Tool A sample of behavior. The sample (participants) is obtained under standardized conditions. Established rules for scoring or for obtaining quantitative (numeric) and qualitative information from the behavior sample. - objectivity

Principles of Psychological Testing Standardization - All procedures of tests (both quantitative and qualitative) must be conducted with consistency and under the same conditions. Objectivity - Subjective judgments and biases are minimized in scoring the behaviors. Test Norms - The average and standardized test score within a large group of people – results of others can be compared with an established frame of reference. Reliability – The consistency across different times, tests, scorers. Validity - The test must measure what it is intended to measure.

History of Psychological Testing Basis of psychological testing The significance of individual differences Why? Interest in performance of professionals Chinese system (2200 BC) - proficiency in topics such as civil law and financial issues 19th century Europe – mental illness and mental retardation

Psychological Measurement in the 19th Century Interest in science and measurement Emergence of psychology as an experimental and quantitative science Emergence of public education in the United States Interest in hereditary basis of abilities (Galton)

Psychological Measurement in the 20th Century Public education and availability of limited funds Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon – General intelligence tests - identify mental retardation in school children Revision 1908 – age specific versions Needs of the military for allocating personnel (WW I) – U.S. Army General mental ability Measure of psychopathology

Psychological testing today – Areas of Application Achievement testing Certification testing Attitude surveys Opinion polls Market preferences Performance tests Screening tests Mental health assessments

Principles of Psychological Testing Standardization - Objectivity - Test Norms - Reliability – Validity -

Types of tests Test of Performance Behavior Observation Self-Reports Writing an essay, multiple choice items, mentally rotating images presented on a computer screen, general mental ability (intelligence tests), music ability test. Behavior Observation Observation of a specific behavior. Self-Reports Subjects define their own attitudes, feelings, beliefs, interests, etc. Most of the personality inventories, surveys, questionnaires.

Types of tests (another classification) Standardized vs. non-standardized Presence of norms – interpretation of scores Individual vs. group Verbal vs. performance Types of items are symbolic or analog Cognitive vs. affective Achievement vs. aptitude

Test databases Tests in print Mental measurements yearbook Measures for clinical practice Mental measurements online database ETS/ERIC databases Health and psychosocial instruments database

Activity Identify a subject for assessment Write/Print/copy it and bring it to class Achievement testing Certification testing Attitude surveys Opinion polls Market preferences Performance tests Screening tests Mental health assessments

Activity Information about its training How many days/hours By whom Any additional info about the training?