Question 1

Most existing tests are presumed to measure
A) interactions between the individual and the environment.
B) a stable entity.
C) overall human functioning.
D) adaptability to change.

Accepted Answer

The statement that the tests are measuring a "stable entity" implies that they are not measuring interactions with the environment or adaptability to change. It also suggests that they are not measuring overall human functioning, as that would likely involve a number of different factors. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 2

Which of the following issues is classified by your text as a theoretical concern?
A) Whether the systematic sources of variance measured by the test arise from the person or the setting
B) Whether the test meets the ethical and legal standards for testing
C) Whether the results of the test will be used to unfairly label the test taker
D) Whether the test has adequate reliability,validity,and norms

Accepted Answer

The issue of whether the systematic sources of variance measured by the test arise from the person or the setting is a theoretical concern as it deals with the underlying mechanisms and factors that contribute to the test scores. The other options (B, C, D) are more practical concerns related to the ethical and legal standards, potential consequences, and technical aspects of the test administration and interpretation.

Question 3

Studies on actuarial vs.clinical prediction by Meehl,Sawyer,and Sines have indicated that a set of rules is
A) more accurate than inexperienced professional practitioners.
B) about as accurate as trained.
C) more accurate than trained professional practitioners only when they don't know the rules.
D) more accurate than the interpretations of trained professional practitioners even when they know the rules.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

Which of the following is a responsibility of potential test takers?
A) Knowing and demanding their rights
B) Understanding the validity of tests
C) Selecting which tests to take
D) Relinquishing their privacy rights

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a responsibility...

Question 5

Studies have indicated that the temporal stability of tests is
A) in need of improvement,even for the best tests.
B) at acceptable levels,at least for the better tests.
C) at acceptable levels for most,if not all,tests.
D) has not had an effect on reliability.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studies have indicated that the temporal stability...

Question 6

Which of the following is true about how tests are used?
A) In the end,it may be determined by law and the threat of litigation.
B) There is substantial evidence of the intentional misuse of tests.
C) The use of tests has declined sharply in the past 20 years.
D) It is very difficult to use tests appropriately.

Accepted Answer

Tests are often scrutinized and regulated by law, and the threat of litigation can influence how they are used. This is particularly true in fields such as education and employment, where tests can have significant implications for individuals and organizations. While there are concerns about intentional misuse of tests, such as using them to discriminate against certain groups, the overall use of tests has not declined significantly in the past 20 years. Additionally, while using tests appropriately can be challenging, there are established guidelines and best practices for doing so.

Question 7

Under what circumstances have clinicians been found to provide better prediction than actuarial data?
A) None; clinicians are,at best,as good as actuarial data.
B) When clinicians consider additional sources of data such as test batteries,interviews or test histories
C) When clinicians have more than five years of experience
D) When tests involve complex scoring algorithms

Accepted Answer

Clinicians have been found to provide better prediction than actuarial data when they consider additional sources of data such as test batteries, interviews or test histories.

Question 8

A theory consistent with the data concerning the reliability of tests would propose that
A) ability and personality are ever-changing.
B) ability and personality are not measurable.
C) humans possess an ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
D) personality is static and enduring.

Accepted Answer

The theory consistent with the data concerning the reliability of tests would propose that humans possess an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This is because the data has shown that test scores can vary based on factors such as motivation, test anxiety, and other external factors. Therefore, a theory that takes into account the human ability to adapt to these changing circumstances is more plausible than one that posits static or unmeasurable traits.

Question 9

According to your text,the real issue in testing is
A) how reliable tests are.
B) whether tests have predictive validity.
C) what tests actually measure.
D) how tests are used.

Accepted Answer

The real issue in testing lies in how tests are used, as this encompasses concerns about their reliability, validity, and what they measure, but focuses on the application and implications of these assessments in real-world settings.

Question 10

The model by Cacioppo,Berntson,and Anderson (1991)indicates
A) no relationship between the psychological and physiological domain.
B) the social environment has very little effect on behavior.
C) a distinct effect on behavior by the social environment.
D) behavior and context are independent.

Accepted Answer

The model by Cacioppo, Berntson, and Anderson (1991) indicates a distinct effect on behavior by the social environment. This model proposed that social information is processed through an integrated system that connects the psychological and physiological domains, leading to changes in behavior as a result of social influence. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 11

The authors of your textbook have suggested that one reason for the relatively poor long-term reliability of personality tests is because
A) the tests are not really measuring personality.
B) personality is too broad of a construct to adequately measure.
C) personality tests are too vague and subjective.
D) although people exhibit a core of stability,they continually change.

Accepted Answer

The authors of the textbook have suggested that one reason for the relatively poor long-term reliability of personality tests is that although people exhibit a core of stability, they continually change. This means that although a person's personality may have some consistent traits or characteristics, they may also develop new ones or change existing ones over time, making it difficult to accurately measure their personality with a single test over an extended period of time.

Question 12

Which of the following is of particular concern when computers are used to score and interpret the results of complex psychological tests?
A) invasion of privacy
B) violation of consent
C) improper use of standardization
D) dehumanization

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is of particular...

Question 13

Sawyer (1966)and Sines (1970)examined studies in which test results were interpreted by a set of rules and compared them to studies in which trained professionals interpreted the test results.They found that
A) the professionals were more accurate than the set of rules.
B) the set of rules was more accurate than the trained professionals.
C) there was no difference between the set of rules and the professionals.
D) the professionals were more accurate,but only when they knew the rules.

Accepted Answer

Sawyer (1966) and Sines (1970) found that a set of rules was more accurate than trained professionals in interpreting test results, highlighting the potential effectiveness of systematic approaches over human judgment in certain contexts.

Question 14

A 2011 survey of independent practitioners about their use of technology found that
A) considerable cost savings result from the use of technology.
B) they were unsure about what uses of computer technology were ethical and which were unethical.
C) recent changes in billing regulations forced them to implement technologies they did not understand.
D) the use of computer technology is widespread and has greatly increased productivity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 2011 survey of independent practitioners about...

Question 15

Two major professional issues in testing are
A) ethical and moral issues.
B) theoretical concerns and the adequacy of tests.
C) social and legal issues.
D) actuarial vs.clinical prediction and ethical issues.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Two major professional issues in testing are
A)...

Question 16

Which of the following is true of test security?
A) Test security takes precedence over individuals' rights to know,because society has a vested interest in testing.
B) Test security cannot be predicted at the expense of an individual's right to know the basis of adverse decisions.
C) The Internet has destroyed the last vestiges of test security.
D) Test security is important for achievement and intelligence tests,but not for other types of tests.

Accepted Answer

Test security is important, but it should not be prioritized over an individual's right to know the basis of adverse decisions. Therefore, test security cannot be predicted at the expense of an individual's right to know.

Question 17

When we say a test has reliability,
A) we are implying that test results are attributable to a systematic source of variance.
B) the test is presumed to measure some unknown entity.
C) the test also has validity.
D) there is no limit on the test's validity.

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency or stability of test results over time and across different administrations. If a test has reliability, it means that the scores obtained from the test are largely free from random error and that the variation in scores is attributable to the construct being measured rather than other factors such as individual differences in motivation or test-taking skill. Validity, on the other hand, refers to the degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure. While reliability is a necessary condition for validity, it does not guarantee it. Therefore, choice B, C, and D are incorrect in this context.

Question 18

Under what circumstances is informed consent not required for testing?
A) When the individual cannot consent to testing
B) When testing is ordered by the courts
C) When testing uses a well-established procedure
D) When the individual does not want to be tested but the clinician views testing as critical

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under what circumstances is informed consent not...

Question 19

Behavioral dispositions are
A) dysfunctional behaviors.
B) stable and lasting traits.
C) transient personality states.
D) innate.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral dispositions are stable and lasting traits that are believed to influence how individuals act in various situations. These traits are often seen as part of an individual's personality and are relatively consistent over time.

Question 20

Which of the following did Dahlstrom note about invasion of privacy?
A) Individuals must cooperate in order to be tested,and can refuse to be tested if they do not like the situation.
B) Although contemporary tests present a substantial risk of invasion of privacy,there is little evidence that this occurs.
C) Individuals give up their right to privacy when they give informed consent.
D) There is a risk of invasion of privacy with computerized tests,but not with tests administered by a clinician.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following did Dahlstrom note...

Quiz 21: Ethics and the Future of Psychological Testing

Most existing tests are presumed to measure

Which of the following issues is classified by your text as a theoretical concern?

Studies on actuarial vs.clinical prediction by Meehl,Sawyer,and Sines have indicated that a set of rules is

Which of the following is a responsibility of potential test takers?

Studies have indicated that the temporal stability of tests is

Which of the following is true about how tests are used?

Under what circumstances have clinicians been found to provide better prediction than actuarial data?

A theory consistent with the data concerning the reliability of tests would propose that

According to your text,the real issue in testing is

The model by Cacioppo,Berntson,and Anderson (1991) indicates

The authors of your textbook have suggested that one reason for the relatively poor long-term reliability of personality tests is because

Which of the following is of particular concern when computers are used to score and interpret the results of complex psychological tests?

Sawyer (1966) and Sines (1970) examined studies in which test results were interpreted by a set of rules and compared them to studies in which trained professionals interpreted the test results.They found that

A 2011 survey of independent practitioners about their use of technology found that

Two major professional issues in testing are

Which of the following is true of test security?

When we say a test has reliability,

Under what circumstances is informed consent not required for testing?

Behavioral dispositions are

Which of the following did Dahlstrom note about invasion of privacy?