ISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
Francis Galton (1822-1911) was the first scientist to undertake systematic and statistical
investigation of individual differences. He was preceded by other psychologists who were
either
concerned with problem of dualism of mind and matter or general problems and theories
rather
than individual differences.
Ernst Heinrich (1795-1878), educated as an anatomist and physiologist had quantitative
experimental approach to psychological problems. He experimented on weight
discrimination,
vision, hearing etc.
Gustav Theodor Fechner (1801-87) who started his career in physics and chemistry was
more
concerned about the application of exact methods of natural science to the study of inner
world
i.e. the relation of mental processes to physical phenomenon.
J. Muller (1801-58), a professor of physiology was especially interested in the physiology of
the
senses and in reflex action and did significant experiments in space perception.
Alexander Bain (1818-1903) a professor of logic, mental philosophy and English literature
in
Aberdeen University, utilized, organised and interpreted the works of Weber and Fechner and
tried to put them in application.
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) established the first lab of psychology in 1879 at Leipzing,
Germany.
He employed physiological methods and introspection in his research.
Jean Esquirol (1772-1840) made the explicit distinction between mental illness and mental
deficiency. He also differentiated among the several levels of mental deficiency. He tried to
differentiate them on the basis of physical measurements, especially size and formation of the
skull but was not successful. He also said that development and use of language is one of the
most useful and valid criteria for differentiating levels of mental deficiency.
Binet and Simon (1905) developed the first standard scale of intelligence .
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
EXPERIMENT- A carefully controlled scientific procedure conducted to determine whether
certain variables manipulated by the experimenter have an effect on other variables
HYPOTHESIS- A possible explanation for a behaviour being studied that can be answered
by an
experiment or a series of observation. It can also be defined as tentative answer to a problem.
VARIABLES- Factors that can be varied and can assume more than one value.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE- A variable that is controlled by the experimenter and is
applied to
the participants to determine its effect.
DEPENDENT VARIABLE- A measurable behaviour that is exhibited by a participant and
is
affected by the independent variable.
CONTROL GROUP- The group in which participants are treated identically to participate
in the
experimental condition, except that the independent variable is not applied to them.
EXPERIMENTAL GROUP- The group in which independent variable is introduced
ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD-
It helps in discovering the causes of behaviour.
It also helps in understanding cause and effect relationship.
DISADVANTAGES OF EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
It cannot be used to study all kinds of behaviour.
The experiments may produce results that do not apply in real life situations.
They have low external validity.
It is difficult to know and control all the relevant variables.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
A psychological test is a standardized instrument designed to measure objectively, one or
more aspects of total personality by means of verbal or non-verbal responses. Standardization
means the test is objective, reliable and valid.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
STANDARDIZATION- The procedures are specified precisely, so that different testers will
follow the same procedures when they administer the same test to different subjects this
means that test performance of different people or the same persons at different times or
occasions can be compared directly.
OBJECTIVITY- Objectivity refers to the fact that if two or more researchers administer a
psychological test on the same group of people, both of them would come up with more or
less the same values for each person in the group. The items convey the same meaning to
everyone. Specific instructions and the procedure for administering the test are specified. The
impact of personal bias is kept under control.
RELIABILITY- It refers to the consistency of the scores obtained by an individual on the
same test on two different occasions.
Types of Reliability
Test-Retest reliability- it is computed by finding co-efficient of correlation between the two
sets of scores on the same set of persons. It indicates the temporal stability or stability of the
test scores over time.
Split Half Reliability-It gives an indication about the degree of internal consistency of the
test. The test is divided into two equal halves employing odd even method.
VALIDITY- It refers to the extent to which the test measures what it is suppose to measure.
NORMS- Norm is an average score on a particular test made by a specific population.
Reference to a test table of norms enables us to rank an individuals performance relative to
his own age group.
STANDARDISED INSTRUCTIONS
Standardized instructions are given in the manual. The tester gives these instructions only to
maintain the uniformity.
UNIFORMITY IN CONDUCTION - The tester conducts the test in a uniform way
irrespective of
their culture.
USES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
These are used primarily for analysis and determination of individual differences in
general intelligence, aptitude, personality traits etc.
Psychological tests are also used for a variety of psychological, educational, cultural
studies of groups as well as study of particular individuals.
Test provides very useful information for educational and vocational guidance.
In schools, tests can be used to identify students with low as well high intelligence.
It helps in knowing the causes of behavioural problems.
In clinics, psychological tests are used for individual diagnosis of factors associated with
personal problems of learning, behaviour or specific interpersonal relations.
In business and industry, tests are helpful in selecting and classifying personnel for
placement in jobs.
TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
MENTAL ABILITY TEST
· Intelligence Test- measure general ability. They are intended to measure intellectual
potential.
· Aptitude Test- to assess a candidate's abilities through a variety of different testing
formats. Aptitude tests will test your ability to perform tasks and react to situations at
work. This includes problem-solving, prioritisation and numerical skills, amongst
other things.
· Achievement test- measures a person’s mastery and knowledge of various subjects.
PERSONALITY TEST
· Objective Test- can be objectively scored. E.g., MMPI (actually used for diagnosis of
personality disorders).
· Proactive Test- allow person to “protect” something of themselves into their
responses- scoring is often subjective.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
Attempts to measure deficits in cognitive functioning i.e. ability to think, speak, reason etc.
that may result from some sort of basic brain damage.
OCCUPATIONAL TESTS
Attempts to match interests with the interests of persons is known as careers.
SPECIFIC CLINICAL TESTS
Attempts to measure specific clinical matters such as anxiety or depression.