What Is A Psychological Assessment?

Psychological assessment is the systematic process of developing, selecting, and using tests and methods to understand an individual’s thinking, emotions, behaviour, and functioning for a specific purpose.
Assessment may use:

• Standardised psychological tests
• Observational data
• Clinical interviews
• Medical and health records

Applications of Psychological Assessment

1. Clinical & Mental Health

Used to:

• Diagnose mental health disorders
• Develop and monitor treatment plans
• Conduct risk assessments
• Evaluate cognitive functioning (memory, attention, executive skills)

2. Education

Assessment supports:

• Aptitude testing
• Achievement testing
• Educational placement
• Identifying learning difficulties
• Determining vocational interests and pathways

3. Neuropsychology

Used to:

• Assess brain injury and neurological conditions
• Examine cognitive strengths and weaknesses
• Evaluate impairment affecting daily functioning

4. Forensic Settings

Used to:

• Determine competency to stand trial
• Assess psychological state of offenders
• Provide treatment plans for offenders and victims
• Conduct custody and parental fitness evaluations

5. Organisational/Industrial Settings

Used for:

• Personnel selection and recruitment
• Performance appraisal
• Assessing work attitudes and motivation
• Career counselling and development

6. Research

Used to:

• Understand cognition, emotion, behaviour
• Screen research participants
• Evaluate measurement tools for reliability and validity

Standardised Psychological Tests

Standardised tests are:

• Administered and scored in a controlled, uniform manner
• Designed to allow comparison between individuals and normative groups
• Used for constructs such as:
  • Intelligence
  • Personality
  • Attitudes
  • Mental health symptoms

Common Standardised Psychological Tests

• NEO Personality Inventory
• 16 Personalities (MBTI-type instruments)
• MMPI-3 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)

The Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

Definition

Intelligence refers to a range of cognitive abilities, including reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and processing.

Major IQ Tests

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS–IV)

• Ages 16 years to 90 years 11 months

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC–V)

• Ages 6 to 16 years 11 months

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (SB–5)

• Ages 2 years to 85+ years

Raven’s Progressive Matrices (Ravens–2)

• Ages 4 to 90 years
• Culture-reduced, non-verbal test of fluid intelligence

Understanding the Normal Distribution of IQ

• Mean IQ = 100
• SD = 15
• About 68% of people fall within 1 SD (85–115)
• About 95% fall within 2 SDs (70–130)
• Less than 2% score below 70 or above 130

(From your image: bell curve representing population distribution.)

Limitations of IQ Testing

• Cultural bias/discrimination
• Limited validity across cultures
• Questionable reliability across contexts
• Influenced by:
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Access to education
  • Nutrition
  • Environmental stimulation
  • Language and cultural familiarity
  • Health and medical conditions

IQ tests measure performance, not innate worth.

Types of Intelligence Tests

Crystallised Intelligence Tests

• Assess acquired knowledge
• Dependent on:
  • Current affairs
  • Cultural knowledge
  • Vocabulary
  • Education

Example:

KOORI IQ Test was developed to demonstrate how Western IQ tests use “alien criteria” not appropriate for Aboriginal communities.

Fluid Intelligence Tests

• Non-verbal reasoning
• Culture-reduced
• Emphasise:
  • Pattern detection
  • Abstract problem-solving
• Less dependent on language or education

Principles of Psychological Assessment

1. Validity

The test measures what it claims to measure.

2. Reliability

The test yields consistent results over time, items, and evaluators.

3. Standardisation

Uniform administration and scoring procedures.

4. Fairness

Free from bias; appropriate for diverse groups.

5. Practicality

Feasible in terms of cost, time, and required expertise.

6. Ethical Practice

• Respect participants’ dignity
• Use results responsibly
• Avoid harm or discrimination
• Require informed consent