Psychological Testing in Everyday Life

Karen Goldfinger, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Connecticut.  She is the lead author of a textbook on psychological assessment, Psychological Assessment and Report Writing, and a former adjunct faculty member for a psychology graduate program. She has a wealth of experience in psychological testing and has long been interested in when, why, where, and how psychological tests are used in everyday life.

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.

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorChapter 1: IntroductionPsychological Testing in Everyday LifeWhat Is a Psychological Test?Categorizing Psychological TestsThe Science, History, and Practice of Psychological TestingA Personal NoteChapter 2: The Science of Psychological Testing: Fundamental ConceptsReliabilityValidityChapter 3: Psychological Testing in Education: Comparing Student Outcomes Across Nations With the PISA and the TIMSSPsychological Tests in EducationInternational Comparisons of Educational Achievement: History and GoalsInternational Tests of Academic Skills: The PISA and the TIMSSPISA versus TIMSSStan’s Experience with the PISAConclusionChapter 4: Psychological Testing in Applied ResearchApplied Psychological Research: History and GoalsThe MAP-DB, A Tool to Measure Temper TantrumsHomesickness ResearchHappinessJason’s Experience as a Research SubjectConclusionChapter 5 • Psychological Testing in Mental Health Diagnosis and TreatmentAssessment and Treatment of Mental Health ProblemsThe Role of Psychological Testing in the Mental Health SettingPsychological Tests Used in Mental Health Settings: A HistoryIssues and ControversiesBest Practices in Psychological Assessment in Mental Health SettingsOutcomes AssessmentTherapeutic AssessmentEvaluating Derrick for ADHD: A Brief Case ExampleConclusionChapter 6: Psychological Testing in Medicine: Psychological Evaluation Prior to Bariatric SurgeryPsychological Testing in MedicineThe Problem of ObesityBariatric Surgery: History and PurposeThe Goals of Presurgical Psychological EvaluationSelecting and Administering Psychological Tests to Prospective Bariatric Surgery PatientsPsychometric IssuesJoanne’s Experience with Psychological Testing Prior to Bariatric SurgeryConclusionChapter 7: Psychological Testing in the Legal Arena: Child Custody in High Conflict DivorcePsychological Testing in Child Custody Disputes: Mr. and Mrs. KellyA Brief History of Child Custody EvaluationThe Forensic Nature of Child Custody EvaluationsThe Process of Child Custody EvaluationsPsychological Tests Used in Custody EvaluationHow Do Psychological Tests Contribute to Dr. Lissette’s Opinion About What Is in the Best Interest of the Kelly Children?ConclusionChapter 8: Psychological Testing in Determining Disability: Intellectual Disability and the Death PenaltyIntellectual Disability and Capital Punishment: A Brief HistoryWhy Does the Death Penalty Violate the Eighth Amendment for Defendants With Intellectual Disabilities?Defining Intellectual DisabilityLabeling and Describing Intellectual DisabilitiesDiagnosing Intellectual Disability: IQ TestingMeasurement ErrorFlynn EffectPractice EffectsMalingeringDiagnosing Intellectual Disability: Assessment of Adaptive FunctioningIs Randi Intellectually Disabled? A Brief Case StudyConclusionChapter 9: Psychological Testing in the Workplace: Selecting Police OfficersThe Relevance of Psychological Testing to Police WorkPsychological Tests and the Selection of Police Officers: An IntroductionLegal ConsiderationsEthical ConsiderationsCurrent PracticesChoosing Psychological Tests for Selecting Police OfficersInterpretation and Communication of Test ResultsElinore and Elena: Different Test Results Lead to Different OutcomesConclusionChapter 10: ConclusionThe Importance of PsychometricsThe Challenges in Developing Good TestsControversies About Psychological TestingThe Past and Future of Psychological TestingKey TakeawaysIndex