Psychological Testing

Currently used extensively Lull in use occurred in the 70s and 80s due to fear of lawsuits (EEOC) However, validity is so high on most tests, fear of lawsuits has subsided

Aspects of a Good Test

Standardization consistency and uniformity of conditions and procedures Objectivity scoring must be free of bias Test norms provide a comparison Reliability Validity

Reliability
Consistency of a measure
Has nothing to do with correctness of measure

Different ways to assess reliability

Test-retest Equivalent forms Split-half

Ideally reliability should exceed +.80

Validity
Most crucial aspect: does test measure what it intends to measure
Face Validity Criterion Validity
Predictive Concurrent

Content Validity Construct Validity

Validity Generalization/Situational Specificity

Comparing Reliability and Validity

Fair Employment Practices

Led to testing of tests to insure that they were valid predictors of job performance Intelligence tests no longer viewed as inherently biased
Instead, reflect years of cultural discrimination

Race Norming inflating score of minority applicants

Prohibited by 1991 Civil Rights Act

Race Banding all members of band are viewed as equals

Broad Categories of Tests

Individual vs. Group Computer Assisted Testing Speed vs. Power Paper and Pencil vs. Performance

Tests of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Cognitive Abilities
Otis SelfAdministering Test of Mental Ability Wonderlic Personnel Test Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

Kuder Occupational Interest Survey

Aptitudes
Minnesota Clerical Test Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test

Personality
Self-report vs. projective tests

Interests
Strong Interest Inventory

Integrity

Personality Tests The Big 5

Conscientiousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism Openness to Experience

Limitations of Psychological Testing

Uncritical Use Rejection of Qualified Candidates Faking Attitudes Toward Testing
Lawsuits

Ethical Issues
Test Users Test Security Test Interpretation Test Publication

Privacy Issues
What can and should be asked?