Assumptions about Psychological Testing and Assessment

Question 1

Psychological Traits and States Exist

Answer 1

Assumption 1

Question 2

any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from another

Answer 2

Trait

Question 3

intelligence, specific intellectual abilities, cognitive style, adjustment, interests, attitudes, sexual orientation and preferences, psychopathology, etc.

Answer 3

Psychological Trait

Question 4

– distinguish one person from another but are relatively less enduring

Answer 4

States

Question 5

Characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that generalize across similar situations, differ systematically between individuals, and remain rather stable across time

Answer 5

Trait

Question 6

Permit people predict the present from the past

Answer 6

Trait

Question 7

Characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaving in a concrete situation at a specific moment in time

Answer 7

States

Question 8

Identify those behaviors that can be controlled by manipulating the situation

Answer 8

States

Question 9

an informed, scientific concept developed or constructed to explain a behavior, inferred from overt behavior

Answer 9

Construct

Question 10

an observable action or the product of an observable action

Answer 10

Overt Behavior

Question 11

Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

Answer 11

Assumption 2

Question 12

assumption that the more the testtaker responds in a particular direction keyed by the test manual as correct or consistent with a particular trait, the higher that testtaker is presumed to be on the targeted ability or trait

Answer 12

Cumulative Scoring

Question 13

The tasks in some tests mimics the actual behaviors that the test user is attempting to understand

Answer 13

Assumption 3: Test-Rlated Behavior Predicts Non-Test-Related Behavior

Question 14

Test-Related Behavior Predicts Non-Test-Related Behavior

Answer 14

Assumption 3

Question 15

Competent test users understand and appreciate the limitations of the test they use as well as how those limitations might be compensated for by data from other sources

Answer 15

Assumption 4: Test and Other Measurement Techniques have strengths and weaknesses

Question 16

Various Sources of Error are part of the Assessment Process

Answer 16

Assumption 5

Question 17

refers to something that is more than expected; it is component of the measurement process

Answer 17

Error

Question 18

Refers to a long-standing assumption that factors other than what a test attempts to measure will influence performance on the test

Answer 18

Assumption 5: Various Sources of Error are part of the Assessment Process

Question 19

– the component of a test score attributable to sources other than the trait or ability measured

Answer 19

Error Variance

Question 20

Potential Sources of error variance

Answer 20

ASMEARA
1. Assessors
2. Measuring Instruments
3. Random errors such as luck

Question 21

each testtaker has true score on a test that would be obtained but for the action of measurement error

Answer 21

Classical Test Theory

Question 22

Despite best efforts of many professionals, fairness-related questions and problems do occasionally rise

Answer 22

Assumption 6: Testing and Assessment can be conducted in a Fair and Unbiased Manner

Question 23

Considering the many critical decisions that are based on testing and assessment procedures, we can readily appreciate the need for tests

Answer 23

Assumption 7: Testing and Assessment Benefit Society