CNL-523 Topic 1: Short Answer Questions
Directions: Provide short answers of 150-200 words each for the following questions/statements. Do not exceed 250 words for your response. Use the textbook and any other scholarly resources to support your responses. Include at least three to four scholarly journal articles beyond the textbook and course readings.
1. Explain the difference between psychological tests and psychological assessments.
Psychological tests are the written, verbal, or visual evaluations administered when assessing the emotional and cognitive functioning of adults and children. According to (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2013), psychological test is a system of behavior and performance that heavily uses categorical or numerical scale to determine changes and variations. Psychological tests get used in assessing various mental attributes and abilities, including personality, achievement and ability, and neurological functioning. Also, psychological tests are described as the formalized measures of mental functioning, which are mostly objective and quantifiable.
Psychological assessment refers to the process of testing that employs the combination of metrics or techniques to assist arrive at some hypothesis towards an individual and his/her personality, behavior, and capabilities. Psychological assessment has four components namely the norm-referenced tests, observations, interviews, and informal assessment (Speizer, 2004). The unique characteristic of psychological assessment is that it incorporates data analysis and interpretation. Therefore, psychological assessments are instrumental in helping understand and define the underlying causes of behavior.
2. Explain the significance of utilizing both psychological tests and assessments within the counseling field.
The process of choosing psychological evaluation tool is essential in determining the efficacy and effectiveness of the counseling practice. A combination of numerical scale methods when administering psychological tests, the observation of data, and the process of data analysis and interpretation offer a strong basis for understanding an individual’s psychological makeup. According to (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2013), psychological tests provide important and valuable information. In the other hand, assessments dig deeper into the analysis of a person’s personality by including observation elements. Assessments help uncover the subliminal aspects of performance or behavior. Tests rely more on standardized evaluation approaches and thus can be limiting in data collection. However, psychological assessments have an open and synonymous structure which helps in establishing an in-depth overview of an individual’s psychological wellness and wellbeing. In counseling field, tests can be referenced in the assessment process in order to understand individual personality, behavior, and capabilities (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2013). Integrating these two psychological evaluation methods is essential in offering a counselor with a clear view, dimension, and perspective of an individual’s mental and cognitive strengths and limitations.
3. Identify and describe the four different types of psychological tests discussed in Chapter 2 of the textbook?
3. Briefly describe a historical overview of significant events that occurred during the development of appraisals within the counseling field.
Studies by (Speizer, 2004) indicate that testing was first done in China in 2,200 B.C.E. During this time, the Chinese government wanted to test their citizens in order to see who qualify for government jobs for approval. In 2,200 B.C.E, government jobs paid more salary, no taxes, more security, and defined one as the society’s crème. According to (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2013), tests were administered to men whose financial power enabled them to pay for tutors and spend most of their time preparing for examinations. Mainly, tests examined their expertise in archery, math, civil law, writing, horsemanship, and other top professions in the Chinese culture of the time.
At the middle ages, citizens raised concerns over categorizing people based on certain bodily fluids predetermined to influence a personality’s attribute. During the Middle Ages also, people were concerned with those holding satanic personalities; thus developing multiple measurement procedure to appraise and respond to this question. In the 19th century, the aspect of appraisals was already deep in the society. Today, appraisals are very common within the counseling field and good counselor must be able to show empathy, respect, self-awareness, credibility, and cultural diversity competence while in their works (Speizer, 2004).
References:
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2013). Human Development: A Life-Span View (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Speizer, I. (2004). Recruiting and Staffing. Workforce Magazine, 51-54.