Psychological Tests: What They Are & What They Do
Psychological tests are characterized by the use of samples of behavior in order to assess psychological constructs such as cognitive and emotional functioning about any given individual. The realm of psychological testing is quite vast with an enormous assortment of different types of tests from more commonly known ones to newer, lesser known tests.
Starting with the most obviously known and perhaps widely used test, there is the IQ and achievements test. The IQ test is of course a measure of an individual's intellect while achievement tests are used to measure the level of development and use of the ability. Both of these tests are known as common norm-referenced tests which means they present a series of tasks and the individuals responses are recorded according to carefully prescribed guidelines. After the tests are taken, the results can then be compared to the responses of a norm group. These groups generally consist of members of the same age or grade level as the individual taking the test. IQ tests are typically divided into different sections such as verbal and non-performance or non-verbal. An example of a non-verbal section from an IQ test is the completion of timed puzzles while vocabulary plays a large role in the verbal sections.
Another psychological test is an attitude test. This test measures an individual's feelings about certain things such as people, events, or even objects. These tests are quite often used in marketing to determine individual, or group, preferences for brands or items.
Neuropsychological tests consist of designed tasks used to measure a psychological function known to be linked to a particular brain structure or pathway. These tests are most commonly used to assess impairment after an injury or illness that is known to cause neurological problems. They are also used in research to contrast neuropsychological abilities across experimental groups.
Personality tests are divided into two groups: objective and projective tests. The objective tests have a restricted response format such as asking true or false questions. Some examples of this type are Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III, Child Behavior Checklist, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Projective tests allow for a more free type of response. An example of this is the Rorschach test, in which a person states what each of ten ink blots might be.
There are other types of psychological tests and new ones that are being developed to help better understand cognitive functions of the bran. They have proven to be valuable and informational assets in the past and continue to help in the diagnosis of certain disorders or behavioral problems.
Starting with the most obviously known and perhaps widely used test, there is the IQ and achievements test. The IQ test is of course a measure of an individual's intellect while achievement tests are used to measure the level of development and use of the ability. Both of these tests are known as common norm-referenced tests which means they present a series of tasks and the individuals responses are recorded according to carefully prescribed guidelines. After the tests are taken, the results can then be compared to the responses of a norm group. These groups generally consist of members of the same age or grade level as the individual taking the test. IQ tests are typically divided into different sections such as verbal and non-performance or non-verbal. An example of a non-verbal section from an IQ test is the completion of timed puzzles while vocabulary plays a large role in the verbal sections.
Another psychological test is an attitude test. This test measures an individual's feelings about certain things such as people, events, or even objects. These tests are quite often used in marketing to determine individual, or group, preferences for brands or items.
Neuropsychological tests consist of designed tasks used to measure a psychological function known to be linked to a particular brain structure or pathway. These tests are most commonly used to assess impairment after an injury or illness that is known to cause neurological problems. They are also used in research to contrast neuropsychological abilities across experimental groups.
Personality tests are divided into two groups: objective and projective tests. The objective tests have a restricted response format such as asking true or false questions. Some examples of this type are Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III, Child Behavior Checklist, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Projective tests allow for a more free type of response. An example of this is the Rorschach test, in which a person states what each of ten ink blots might be.
There are other types of psychological tests and new ones that are being developed to help better understand cognitive functions of the bran. They have proven to be valuable and informational assets in the past and continue to help in the diagnosis of certain disorders or behavioral problems.
Source...