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.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1: Introduction Psychological Testing in Everyday Life What Is a Psychological Test? Categorizing Psychological Tests The Science, History, and Practice of Psychological Testing A Personal Note Chapter 2: The Science of Psychological Testing: Fundamental Concepts Reliability Validity Chapter 3: Psychological Testing in Education: Comparing Student Outcomes Across Nations With the PISA and the TIMSS Psychological Tests in Education International Comparisons of Educational Achievement: History and Goals International Tests of Academic Skills: The PISA and the TIMSS PISA versus TIMSS Stan's Experience with the PISA Conclusion Chapter 4: Psychological Testing in Applied Research Applied Psychological Research: History and Goals The MAP-DB, A Tool to Measure Temper Tantrums Homesickness Research Happiness Jason's Experience as a Research Subject Conclusion Chapter 5 * Psychological Testing in Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Assessment and Treatment of Mental Health Problems The Role of Psychological Testing in the Mental Health Setting Psychological Tests Used in Mental Health Settings: A History Issues and Controversies Best Practices in Psychological Assessment in Mental Health Settings Outcomes Assessment Therapeutic Assessment Evaluating Derrick for ADHD: A Brief Case Example Conclusion Chapter 6: Psychological Testing in Medicine: Psychological Evaluation Prior to Bariatric Surgery Psychological Testing in Medicine The Problem of Obesity Bariatric Surgery: History and Purpose The Goals of Presurgical Psychological Evaluation Selecting and Administering Psychological Tests to Prospective Bariatric Surgery Patients Psychometric Issues Joanne's Experience with Psychological Testing Prior to Bariatric Surgery Conclusion Chapter 7: Psychological Testing in the Legal Arena: Child Custody in High Conflict Divorce Psychological Testing in Child Custody Disputes: Mr. and Mrs. Kelly A Brief History of Child Custody Evaluation The Forensic Nature of Child Custody Evaluations The Process of Child Custody Evaluations Psychological Tests Used in Custody Evaluation How Do Psychological Tests Contribute to Dr. Lissette's Opinion About What Is in the Best Interest of the Kelly Children? Conclusion Chapter 8: Psychological Testing in Determining Disability: Intellectual Disability and the Death Penalty Intellectual Disability and Capital Punishment: A Brief History Why Does the Death Penalty Violate the Eighth Amendment for Defendants With Intellectual Disabilities? Defining Intellectual Disability Labeling and Describing Intellectual Disabilities Diagnosing Intellectual Disability: IQ Testing Measurement Error Flynn Effect Practice Effects Malingering Diagnosing Intellectual Disability: Assessment of Adaptive Functioning Is Randi Intellectually Disabled? A Brief Case Study Conclusion Chapter 9: Psychological Testing in the Workplace: Selecting Police Officers The Relevance of Psychological Testing to Police Work Psychological Tests and the Selection of Police Officers: An Introduction Legal Considerations Ethical Considerations Current Practices Choosing Psychological Tests for Selecting Police Officers Interpretation and Communication of Test Results Elinore and Elena: Different Test Results Lead to Different Outcomes Conclusion Chapter 10: Conclusion The Importance of Psychometrics The Challenges in Developing Good Tests Controversies About Psychological Testing The Past and Future of Psychological Testing Key Takeaways Index

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. -- Anne-Marie R. Iselin