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Psychological Testing in Everyday Life
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Psychological Testing in Everyday Life
History, Science, and Practice

Other Titles in:
Psychometrics | Test & Measurement
March 2018 | 128 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Psychological Testing in Everyday Life explores how psychological testing is used in real-life settings to make the study of psychometrics interesting, relevant, and highly accessible. Author Karen B. Goldfinger examines a broad range of carefully selected topics to capture student interest, encourage critical thinking, and spark class discussions. Organized in the form of an applied casebook, each chapter presents the complex issues that arise when using psychological tests in a variety of settings, providing an in-depth view of psychological testing practices, historically and in the present. This unique text will support students in becoming thoughtful, informed consumers and providers of psychological assessment.

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1: Introduction
Psychological Testing in Everyday Life

 
What Is a Psychological Test?

 
Categorizing Psychological Tests

 
 
The Science, History, and Practice of Psychological Testing
A Personal Note

 
 
Chapter 2: The Science of Psychological Testing: Fundamental Concepts
Reliability

 
Validity

 
 
Chapter 3: Psychological Testing in Education: Comparing Student Outcomes Across Nations With the PISA and the TIMSS
Psychological Tests in Education

 
International Comparisons of Educational Achievement: History and Goals

 
International Tests of Academic Skills: The PISA and the TIMSS

 
PISA versus TIMSS

 
 
Stan’s Experience with the PISA
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 4: Psychological Testing in Applied Research
Applied Psychological Research: History and Goals

 
The MAP-DB, A Tool to Measure Temper Tantrums

 
Homesickness Research

 
Happiness

 
Jason’s Experience as a Research Subject

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 5 • Psychological Testing in Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment
Assessment and Treatment of Mental Health Problems

 
The Role of Psychological Testing in the Mental Health Setting

 
Psychological Tests Used in Mental Health Settings: A History

 
Issues and Controversies

 
Best Practices in Psychological Assessment in Mental Health Settings

 
Outcomes Assessment

 
Therapeutic Assessment

 
Evaluating Derrick for ADHD: A Brief Case Example

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 6: Psychological Testing in Medicine: Psychological Evaluation Prior to Bariatric Surgery
Psychological Testing in Medicine

 
The Problem of Obesity

 
Bariatric Surgery: History and Purpose

 
The Goals of Presurgical Psychological Evaluation

 
Selecting and Administering Psychological Tests to Prospective Bariatric Surgery Patients

 
Psychometric Issues

 
Joanne’s Experience with Psychological Testing Prior to Bariatric Surgery

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 7: Psychological Testing in the Legal Arena: Child Custody in High Conflict Divorce
Psychological Testing in Child Custody Disputes: Mr. and Mrs. Kelly

 
A Brief History of Child Custody Evaluation

 
The Forensic Nature of Child Custody Evaluations

 
The Process of Child Custody Evaluations

 
Psychological Tests Used in Custody Evaluation

 
How Do Psychological Tests Contribute to Dr. Lissette’s Opinion About What Is in the Best Interest of the Kelly Children?

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 8: Psychological Testing in Determining Disability: Intellectual Disability and the Death Penalty
Intellectual Disability and Capital Punishment: A Brief History

 
Why Does the Death Penalty Violate the Eighth Amendment for Defendants With Intellectual Disabilities?

 
Defining Intellectual Disability

 
Labeling and Describing Intellectual Disabilities

 
Diagnosing Intellectual Disability: IQ Testing

 
Measurement Error

 
Flynn Effect

 
Practice Effects

 
Malingering

 
Diagnosing Intellectual Disability: Assessment of Adaptive Functioning

 
Is Randi Intellectually Disabled? A Brief Case Study

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 9: Psychological Testing in the Workplace: Selecting Police Officers
The Relevance of Psychological Testing to Police Work

 
Psychological Tests and the Selection of Police Officers: An Introduction

 
Legal Considerations

 
Ethical Considerations

 
Current Practices

 
Choosing Psychological Tests for Selecting Police Officers

 
Interpretation and Communication of Test Results

 
 
Elinore and Elena: Different Test Results Lead to Different Outcomes
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 10: Conclusion
The Importance of Psychometrics

 
The Challenges in Developing Good Tests

 
Controversies About Psychological Testing

 
The Past and Future of Psychological Testing

 
Key Takeaways

 
 
Index

An engaging, real-world application of complex issues and concepts pertinent to psychological tests and measures. Psychological Testing in Everyday Life would be a nice supplemental text to a standard psychological testing book.

Anne-Marie R. Iselin
University of North Carolina Wilmington

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