PSYC2022 Psychological Assessment and Measurement

Psychologists are interested in many concepts and attributes that are not directly observable (e.g. intelligence and personality). Consequently, a large area of psychological research has focused on the problem of measurement of abstract psychological properties and on the development of tools for their accurate measurement. This topic introduces students to the basic principles used to identify good psychological measures and on the theoretical principles underlying standardised measurement tools (e.g. intelligence tests, personality inventories, and clinical diagnostic instruments), the reliability and validity of these measures and the ethical principles that govern their use. The principles of behaviour observations and recording will also be discussed.

This topic aims to:

• Increase your understanding and appreciation of how psychological phenomena are measured
• Enable you to learn and practice skills that are required for the evaluation of psychological measures and assessment instruments
• Increase your understanding of the principles underlying the development of standardised psychological assessment instruments
• Enable you to learn and practice skills necessary to interpret the results of standardised psychological tests that are used in the real world
• Develop a sensitivity to cross-cultural and ethical issues in the selection, administration, and interpretation of psychological assessment instruments

1. Demonstrate knowledge of psychological assessment and measurement
2. Critically evaluate the validity and reliability of psychological tools
3. Knowledge of ethical and cultural issues in the conduct of research, and in the use of assessment and measurement in clinical practice
4. Discipline-based psychological report writing skills