Question 1

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

Temporal stability refers to the consistency of test scores over time. Studies have shown that even the best tests have some degree of temporal instability, meaning that scores may vary from one administration to the next.

Question 2

The most recent psychological tests are based in
A)technology.
B)cognitive theories.
C)rigorous validation studies.
D)the predictions of trained professionals.

Accepted Answer

Recent psychological tests often incorporate technology to enhance assessment accuracy and efficiency.

Question 3

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

Potential test takers should be aware of and demand their rights to ensure fair testing practices and protect their interests.

Question 4

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

Studies have shown that actuarial prediction, which uses statistical models and algorithms, tends to be more accurate than clinical prediction, even when trained professionals are aware of the rules used in the actuarial approach.

Question 5

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

The use of tests can indeed be influenced by legal considerations and the potential for litigation, which can dictate how tests are administered, interpreted, and applied in various contexts such as employment, education, and certification.

Question 6

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 7

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 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 correct answer is C because the reliability of tests, especially psychological or aptitude tests, often hinges on the premise that while specific abilities or traits can be measured, the human capacity to adapt to changing circumstances is a fundamental aspect of personality and ability. This adaptability is a key factor in understanding human behavior and development, making it a consistent theme in the data concerning test reliability. Options A, B, and D do not align as closely with the principles of test reliability, which often assumes some level of consistency in what is being measured but also acknowledges the dynamic nature of human abilities and personality.

Question 9

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

Theoretical concerns in testing often involve understanding the sources of variance, such as whether they arise from the individual or the environment, which is a fundamental aspect of test theory.

Question 10

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 11

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 must be balanced with an individual's right to understand the basis of decisions that affect them negatively. This ensures fairness and transparency in the testing process, without compromising the integrity of the test.

Question 12

The new technologies of testing would be well served by measuring behavior in the _______ context.
A)neurological
B)genetic
C)social
D)political

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is "social" because the context in which behavior is measured can significantly influence the outcomes of testing. Social contexts provide a realistic and relevant environment for understanding how individuals act and react in real-world situations, making it a valuable perspective for new testing technologies.

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Behavioral dispositions refer to stable and lasting traits that influence an individual's behavior across different situations and over time. They are not necessarily innate, transient, or inherently dysfunctional.

Question 15

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 16

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 concern with using computers for scoring and interpreting psychological tests is dehumanization, as it may reduce the nuanced understanding and empathy that a human evaluator can provide.

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 in testing refers to the consistency of the test results over time, implying that the scores are due to a systematic source of variance rather than random error.

Question 18

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 two major professional issues in testing are theoretical concerns and the adequacy of tests, as these directly impact the validity, reliability, and applicability of the tests in professional settings.

Question 19

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

Most existing tests are designed to measure a stable entity, such as a specific skill, knowledge area, or personality trait, rather than dynamic interactions or adaptability.

Question 20

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

Personality tests often struggle with long-term reliability because individuals undergo changes over time, affecting the consistency of their responses. While there may be a stable core, the dynamic nature of personal development and experiences can lead to variations in personality traits, making it challenging for tests to predict or measure personality consistently over long periods.

Quiz 21: The Future of Psychological Testing

Studies have indicated that the temporal stability of tests is

The most recent psychological tests are based in

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

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

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

Under what circumstances is informed consent not required for testing?

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

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

According to your text, the real issue in testing is

Which of the following is true of test security?

The new technologies of testing would be well served by measuring behavior in the _______ context.

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

Behavioral dispositions are

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

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

When we say a test has reliability,

Two major professional issues in testing are

Most existing tests are presumed to measure

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