Psychological test
instrument designed to measure unobserved psychological constructs, also known as latent variables
Psychological testing of the modern type started about 150 years ago. Francis Galton (1822–1911) invented the first tests. The American psychologist James Cattell (1860–1944) studied with Galton and then, in 1890, published a classic paper Mental Tests and Measurements.[1][2]
The definition of a psychological test is "an objective and standardized measure of a sample of behavior".[3][4] The kind of tests which were developed included:
- Intelligence tests: how well a person solves problems.
- Aptitude tests: how well a person is suited to a particular task or role.
- Personality tests: what kind of person an individual is.
Psychologists who give these tests have training and qualifications which tell the employer that they are certified to give the tests and assess (understand) the results.
References change
- ↑ Cattell F.M. 1890. Mental tests and measurements. Mind 15, 373-381.
- ↑ Robert J. Gregory 2003. The history of psychological testing. In Psychological testing: history, principles, and applications. Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 9780205354726
- ↑ Urbina, Susana; Anastasi, Anne (1997). Psychological testing (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. pp. 4. ISBN 9780023030857. OCLC 35450434.
- ↑ Aiken, Lewis R. 1998. Tests and examinations: measuring abilities and performance. Wiley. ISBN 9780471192633