PSYC 426 Exam 1 with correct answers
what is a component of any science - ANSWERS✔✔measurement
In our everyday life, we routinely conduct classifications, selections, choices, and take a variety of
decisions based on some form of implicit or explicit assessment process, how (4)? HINT naive
psychology - ANSWERS✔✔We assess the behavior of others (e.g., selective schools, selection of
friends, partners, employees).
We compare the behavior of various individuals relative to one another, or relative to some form of
standards (e.g., the ideal team partner, the ideal husband !).
We try to understand and explain the behaviors of others (e.g., the yeast in the cake).
We try to predict and influence the behavior of others (e.g., again, trying to get the perfect partner !).
why is our everyday criteria flawed? - ANSWERS✔✔lacking, incomplete, erroneous, and globally
unsatisfactory - which is reinforced in psychology by fact that many things that we try to understand
cannot be directly observed
why is psychometrics important - ANSWERS✔✔we have our own bias and make different
assumptions, we need to rely on a systematic process
psychology is a science that needs systematic measurement
Measurement Error in Daily Life 7 examples - ANSWERS✔✔Graphology, fortune telling, astrology
CV, reference letters, diplomas, experiences, contacts
Age, weight, height, sex, ethnicity, strength,
,Birthdate (hour), social rank
Phrenology (shape of the skull), morphology, chiromancy (palm reading).
Physical appearance, voice, charisma.
Social skills.
psychology is a science that aims to - ANSWERS✔✔Describe
Understand/Explain
Predict
Influence
HUMAN BEHAVIOR
definition of psychometrics - ANSWERS✔✔soul+measurement
branch of psychology which focuses on the measurement of psychological attributes and behaviors
(need to assess behavior if you want to know about attitudes)
set of theories and methods related to the development of measurement instruments, as well as to
the evaluation of their metric properties and usefulness (how good is the measure)
two main terms in psychometrics - ANSWERS✔✔measurement
assessment
measurement - ANSWERS✔✔process of assigning symbols (typically numbers) to objects, persons,
or events in such a way as to describe the degree at which they present some attributes or their
membership into some categories
,ex: don't assess if your intelligent or not, assess the degree of intelligent OR do they fit in a certain
category (depression)
ex- going on the scale
what are symbols the result of - ANSWERS✔✔the measurement process
what are symbols associated with? - ANSWERS✔✔a specific unit of measurement
without a unit of measurement the symbols mean nothing
assessment - ANSWERS✔✔entire process of data collection, utilization, and interpretation about
individuals or greater entities (couples, groups, classrooms, organizations). Broader than
measurement. Assessment is the whole context leading to the measurement.
ex:when you get in the doctor, till you leave (assessment includes measurement)
what are the functions of measurement (3) - ANSWERS✔✔Scientific
sociopolicatial
clinical
scientific function of measurement - ANSWERS✔✔To quantify, isolate or classify variables, to
reduce measurement error and increase precision, to facilitate the assessment and diagnosis of
individuals, to make comparisons possible, to generalize, etc. Measure can have scientific purpose.
Sociopolicitcal function of measurement - ANSWERS✔✔Sensitivity of laypersons and governments,
increase the objectivity of some decision making process, social control and selection (university),
, helping to reduce the risk of errors in decisions (psycho legal expertise), protect decision makers
against errors, sensitivity of laypersons and government (tests can be used for bad) etc.
clinical function of measurement - ANSWERS✔✔Facilitate communications (fewer words, greater
consistency), help to decide on treatment based on the exact degree to which the problem is present,
help in following how clients evolve over time, etc
what are the functions of numbers in measurement (5) - ANSWERS✔✔Make comparisons possible,
and even make it possible to compare comparisons. Can compare comparisons.
easy communication of results
Economical/parsimonious.
Can be transformed so as to enrich descriptions. GPA
Make it possible to rely on statistical analyses.
what does the usefulness of numbers depend on - ANSWERS✔✔precision of measure
measurement scale
measurement error
measurement context
what is a psychologist according to the QC professional code - ANSWERS✔✔assess psychological
and mental functioning, and determine, recommend and carry out interventions or treatments with
a view to fostering the psychological health and restoring the mental health of a person in
interaction with his environment