Psychological testing

Psychological testing is a field characterized by the use of small samples of behavior in order to infer larger generalizations about a given individual. The technical term for the science behind psychological testing is psychometrics. By samples of behavior, we mean observations of the individual over time performing tasks which have usually been prescribed beforehand. These responses are often compiled into statistical tables that allow the evaluator to compare the behavior of the individual being tested to the responses of a norm group. When multiple tests are administered, the procedure is referred to as full battery assessment.

Related Topics:
Psychometrics - Norm group

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A useful psychological measure must be both valid (actually measures what it claims to measure) and reliable (is internally consistent or give consistent results over time).

Related Topics:
Valid - Reliable

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