Week 7: Ethics and Professional Issues

Question 1

Define psychological assessment

Answer 1

The collection and integration of psychological data for psychological evaluation through the use of tests, interviews, case studies, and behavioural observation

Question 2

Why are tests used for psychological assessment

Answer 2

To derive inferences about someone’s behaviour or attributes based on their results

Question 3

What kind of information can you get from psychological tests?

Answer 3

• intelligence
• aptitude
• personality (objective and subjective)
• self-esteem
• mental health
• feelings, attitudes and behaviour

Question 4

What does an achievement test measure?

Answer 4

How much students have learned

Question 5

What do aptitude and interest tests measure?

Answer 5

Whether a person is suited for certain occupations

Question 6

What do personality tests measure?

Answer 6

The psychological traits that make up a person’s personality

Question 7

What do behaviour-rating scales measure?

Answer 7

Behaviour in such places as classrooms and hospitals

Question 8

Self reports

Answer 8

Rely on answers from people about their feelings and experiences

Question 9

Define psychological testing

Answer 9

Process of measuring psych related variables by means of devices or procedures to get a sample of human behaviour

Question 10

Who was the first to create mental ability tests and questionnaires?

Answer 10

Francis Galton

Question 11

Define psychometrics

Answer 11

Field of study related to the theory and techniques of psychological measurement and involves testing, measurement, assessment and related activities

Question 12

Name three psychometric qualities

Answer 12

• validity
• reliability
• norms

Question 13

What was Alfred Binet’s contribution to psychology?

Answer 13

• created test for French school kids to assign to classes based on aptitude
• first IQ test
• designed for recruiting men into armies during WW1 and 2

Question 14

What is a psychological construct?

Answer 14

An informed, scientific idea developed or generated to describe or explain behaviour

Question 15

Define test norms

Answer 15

Established standards of performance that set averages

Question 16

Define norm group

Answer 16

A large group of test takers that are similar to those for whom the test is intended

Question 17

Define ethics

Answer 17

The moral principles and guiding conduct which are held by a group or even a profession

Question 18

List the 5 ethical standards outlined by the APA?
B
F
M
J
R

Answer 18

1. Beneficence and non- maleficence
2. Fidelity and responsibility
3. Maintain integrity
4. Justice for all clients
5. Respect for people’s rights and dignity

Question 19

List 6 sources of ethics
P
T
P
C
M
L

Answer 19

1. Personal
2. Theoretical model
3. Policy of the agent
4. Code of ethics
5. Moral philosophy
6. Law and legal rules

Question 20

What is ethical practice before psych assessment?

Answer 20

• resolving conflict between assessee and referrer
• obtain informed consent
• ensure your competency in administering the test
• planning evaluation, clarifying goals and limitations
• evaluate validity of tests and scales
• cultural appropriateness
• suitability of reference norms

Question 21

What is ethical practice during psych assessment?

Answer 21

• ensure a good test environment
• allowing others to be present
• adhere to test procedure and protocol
• prepare written report
• provide professional interpretation of a test and analysis of the score

Question 22

What is ethical practice after psych assessment?

Answer 22

• provide feedback to the assessee
• dealing with requests to alter or modify the report
• releasing test data to 3rd party for re evaluation

Question 23

What are some issues for a test taker?
T
C
D
R
P
S

Answer 23

• test anxiety
• capacity and willingness to cooperate
• distractors
• response bias
• prior coaching on test
• social desirability

Question 24

What are some issues for a test user?
A
C
O
S
R
N

Answer 24

• should be appropriate
• content should be protected
• only administered by trained people
• need to be familiar with test
• suitable conditions for test taker
• rapport between user and taker
• need to be able to interpret test results

Question 25

What makes a good test?

Answer 25

• validity
• standardised
• reliability
• practicality
• usability
• uniformity
• minimal bias

Question 26

Beneficence and non-maleficence

Answer 26

Do no harm - do the benefits of the test outweigh the harm?

Question 27

Fidelity and responsibility

Answer 27

Responsibility to society, behaving appropriately, professional conduct and not bringing the profession into disrepute

Question 28

Maintain integrity

Answer 28

Promote honesty and accuracy in the teaching, science and practice of psychology

Question 29

Justice for all clients

Answer 29

Regardless of SES, IQ, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc

Question 30

Respect for people’s rights and dignity

Answer 30

Awareness and sensitivity regarding cultural issues, religion, gender, and sexuality issues

Question 31

What do objective tests of personality assume

Answer 31

Personality is consciously accessible and can be measured by self report

Question 32

What do projective tests of personaltiy assume

Answer 32

Personality is unconscious and not directly accessible

Question 33

Describe personal sources of ethics

Answer 33

Ethical principles and values that evolve from persona life experience of the psychologist

Question 34

Describe the policy of the agency as a source of ethics

Answer 34

Certain limits might be imposed by the agency in which the psychologist works

Question 35

Describe codes of ethics as sources of ethics

Answer 35

The starting point for ethical decision making and a formal framework wherein ethical practices can be assessed