The last few decades have brought about significant advances in technology, especially in the domain of computer technology. Due to these technological advances, computer-assisted psychological assessment (CAPA) is replacing paper-and-pencil as the norm for psychological testing (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman, 2013). These psychological tests can be purchased on discs that can be administered and scored online. These online tests provide relative simplicity and convenience when testing individuals, as well as provide a large range of testing activities (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman, 2013). Although computerized testing provides many advantages, there are also major issues credited with the testing programs. One issue is access to test administration, …show more content…
One benefit to computerized testing is that it allows for a school psychologist to administer these tests to students in a familiar environment where the student may feel more comfortable. When a school psychologist administers these tests in an office, the child may feel uncomfortable and anxious, and may, in turn, end up testing poorly. If the school psychologist can bring the child to a familiar setting (ie the library), the child will feel less anxious and, hopefully, test better. Another benefit to computerized testing is it enhances testing administration and scoring. Each test taker receives an identical presentation of the tests and instructions, whereas with a paper-and-pencil test administration, the presentations from student to student can vary unknowingly by the school psychologist. Through the use of computerized testing, the standardization of the test administration reduces the probability of error when compared to paper-and-pencil …show more content…
When taking a computerized test, the information is stored on the computer. Paper-and-pencil tests and scores are typically kept under lock and key in a locked office of some sort, whereas these computerized tests and scores are available on a computer once the computer is turned on. There may be a password required to initially log on, but once that is done, it is very easy for a person to access scores and tests. This would breach a client’s confidentiality, thus breaching laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and other laws in place to protect confidentiality and
American Psychological Association. (2001) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed). Washington, DC: McLaughlin & Reinking
Since this test has been devised, the number one question everybody is asking is, “ isn’t it unfair to base a student’s entire future on one test, when he or she simply could have had a bad day when taking the test”? The president Kirk T. Schroder of the Virginia Board of Education, answer this question by saying, “First of all, these tests are untimed, so no student is under arbitrary time pressure in taking the test.
Michele Obama once stated, “If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn 't be here. I guarantee you that.” The First Lady is, in other words, to say that standardized testing was a major factor into her life’s outcome and her scores could have potentially not put her in her position of power that she is highly recognized in today’s society. Although standardized tests do play a large role in any college application, standardized testing may not count as much toward one’s college admissions or success because standardized tests are not the only factor toward college applications, these tests only benefit a specific target group of people, and standardized tests are better used for giving insight on one’s
Butcher, James N. "Assessment in Clinical Psychology: A Perspective on the Past, Present Challenges, and Future Prospects." Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 13(3)(2006): 205-209.
The current education system implemented by most schools measures a student’s progress using two methods: letter grades and standardized tests. However, the pressure put on students to achieve high grades causes standardized tests to be overlooked throughout the school year. Because of this, students enter tests with false hopes of scoring well when in reality they are severely underprepared. Honor roll students with perfect GPA’s can score in the average percentile if they are not adequately exposed to the test material. Schools should put a larger emphasis on preparation for standardized tests so students will be better equipped to take these tests and receive a score that more accurately reflects their knowledge.
718). His work lives on at the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. In addition to the MMY, which is updated periodically, the institute publishes a variety of other test-related publications
Gall, S. B., Beins, B., & Feldman, A. (2001). The gale encyclopedia of psychology. (2nd ed.). Detroit, MI: Gale Group.
Assessment instruments are a critical component in psychological testing. Clinicians use psychological assessments as a process of testing individuals to generate a hypothesis about their behavior, personality, or capabilities. There are four primary types of psychological assessments including, clinical interviews, assessment of intellectual functioning, personality assessment, and behavioral assessments. In addition, other types of psychological testing can include, achievement, aptitude, neuropsychological, occupational, and specific clinical test that can measure current levels of depression or anxiety. For example, the assessment instrument called the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), measures characteristic attitudes
It can be said that there are numerous tests that have been created by psychologists all over the world, but of all those tests how many are as unique as the Millon? Through rigorous research and reading I have selected the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III test. The Millon Clinical Multiaxical Inventory (3rded: MCMI-III) is a widely used psychological assessment of clinical and personality disorders (Grove, W. M., 2009). This test, now on its 3rd edition, has embodied several innovative ideas in personality and psychopathology assessment (Grove, 2003). Moving in-between the 3rd and 4th editions was a once in a lifetime opportunity and amazing learning experience. Through analysis of the MCMI-III manual and other sources this test can be explained and examined in depth helping to better understand this influential psychological assessment tool.
CHAPTER II METHODS Participants Forty members of a Research Methods in Psychology course at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) served as participants in this examination. These participants were recruited within their respective laboratory periods. No money was awarded to the subjects for their participation.
Robins R.W, Gosling S.D & Craik R.H (1999) An Empirical Analysis of Trends in Psychology. American psychologists, 54,(2), 117-128
Standardized testing is a down fall to many students but also an opportunity for many others. Standardized testing has its pros and its cons. It can be the make it or break it factor into getting into colleges you are hoping to attend or the scholarships you want to earn. Some people may have their opinions about the test, whether they hate it or not but the fact is that it’s here to stay.
Self-report personality inventories such as these allow for a comparison of various traits within an individual to other people’s qualities (Nevid, 2015, p. 435). Additionally, this form of testing is inexpensive to administer and score. Another benefit of these types of tests is the likelihood that one will be honest, due to the lack of face-to-face communication with an interviewer (Nevid, 2015, p. 436). Lastly, this form of testing also offers the possibility of boosting one’s confidence level, because of the positive wording that does not focus on the negative aspects of one’s personality (Caswell & Stromberg, 2015, para. 21). Nevertheless, negative factors remain, such as the results of these tests have the ability to change based on one’s mood, which may have been the reason for the variance in my testing results. According to an article by Vox media, fifty percent of testers had a changed result in as little as five weeks after the first testing experience (Caswell & Stromberg, 2015, para. 24). These self-reported tests depend on the truthfulness of the individual taking the test, thus they rely on the self-judgment of one’s opinion (Nevid, 2015, p. 435) Additionally, these tests which are bias, measure a single dimension of personality (Nevid, 2015, p.
There is added pressure to schools to get better scores which adds pressure to the educators and the students. The added pressure can cause health problems with the students or the educators. If health problem come from the stress of the tests it could negatively affect the student’s ability to learn (Pros and Cons, 2013). The test itself is a problem as well. The test is supposed to be unbiased based on the grade level but in most cases the test is not. As much as they try...
Although there are many pros of using computers in class, there are also some negative aspects. Many people think that computers take away the emotion in classroom. They feel like classwork should be given out by pencil and paper. Computers in class can be a huge distraction, such as playing games online in class, sending messages and etc. Using a computer in class can also give a student poor writing habits. Computer corrects verbs and misspelled words for a student which means they aren’t learning the correct grammar. Another con of using computers in class is not having the correct information. Sometimes the internet can give a student false information if they don’t know how to use the internet properly. Many school cannot afford to purchase computers. Purchasing technology can be much for a school. Buying computer and taking the time out to learn how to use them, costs the school more money. Instead of spending money on technology their school can be purchasing other things such as better desk for the students. Cheating is also a big con of using a computer in class. Using a computer to take an online test allows students to look up the answer the questions. Students have access to a lot of information when using a computer. There can also be a technical problem when a student is trying to turn a test in. Network failure can make a student lose all