Chapter 1&2 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the purpose of psychological assessments?
To identify strengths and weaknesses, map development, inform suitability decisions, identify training needs, assist in diagnosis, identify intervention needs, measure effectiveness, and gather research data.
Psychological assessments play a crucial role in various domains including educational and occupational settings.
Define psychometrics.
The field concerned with the systematic and scientific development of psychological measures and the technical measurement standards required.
Psychometrics ensures that psychological tests are reliable and valid.
What are the characteristics of assessment measures?
They can be used in psychological, occupational, and educational assessments and can be administered to individuals, groups, and organisations.
Characteristics include standardised conditions, systematic methods, and evidence support.
List some limitations of assessment results.
- Represent only one source of information
- Approximate nature of assessment results
- Measurement error
- Testee characteristics
These limitations highlight the need for caution in interpreting assessment results.
What is the first step in the assessment process?
Intake
The intake step involves gathering preliminary information about the individual being assessed.
What was the contribution of Binet and Simon to psychological assessment?
Developed the first practical and reliable measure for measuring intelligence, known as the Binet-Simon Scale.
This scale was pivotal in the history of intelligence testing.
True or False: The early use of assessment measures in South Africa was characterized by equal access for all racial groups.
False
The early years were marked by unequal distribution of resources based on racial categories.
What did the Employment Equity Act in South Africa mandate regarding psychological testing?
Prohibits psychological testing unless it is scientifically shown to be valid and reliable, can be applied fairly, and is not biased.
This act aims to prevent discrimination in the workplace.
Fill in the blank: The General Adaptability Battery (GAB) was predominantly used for _______.
[preliterate black population]
The GAB was designed to assess individuals with limited formal education.
What are some early origins of psychological assessment mentioned?
- Astrology
- Physiognomy
- Humorology
- Phrenology
- Chirology
- Graphology
These methods reflect historical attempts to understand personality and behavior.
What is the role of the HPCSA in psychological assessment?
Mandated to protect the public and guide the profession of psychology.
The HPCSA ensures the ethical practice of psychology in South Africa.
What is a key finding regarding psychological assessments in modern society?
Psychological assessments continue to aid decision-making despite flaws, correlating with academic performance and assisting in job selection and employee development.
Studies indicate that assessments can provide valuable information when used alongside other data.
What is the significance of the Binet-Simon Scale in historical context?
It was one of the earliest intelligence tests and was misused to show a high rate of mental retardation among immigrants.
This highlights the potential for misuse of psychological assessments.
What was the focus of psychological assessment in the democratic South Africa?
To support inclusive education and identify learning problems, banning exclusionary testing practices.
The focus has shifted towards fairness and inclusivity in educational assessments.
Identify one institution that developed measures for industry in South Africa.
The National Institute for Personnel Research (NIPR)
This institution played a pivotal role in creating assessments tailored for occupational settings.
What was a significant trend in psychological assessment measures after World War II?
The urgent need to identify occupational suitability for individuals with little formal education.
This need arose particularly in industries such as mining.
