Psychological tests – types, examples. Where to take psychological tests? [WE EXPLAIN]

All mental disorders require an interview that will give a specific overview of the problem. In the face of standardization of the symptoms of mental illness and disorders, unified research patterns are needed. This function is fulfilled by psychological tests. Importantly, they are not only used to assess mental health, but also the intellectual predispositions and abilities of the examined person.

Psychological tests – definition

A psychological test is a kind of research tool in psychology. Its purpose is to obtain a representative sample of the behavior assumed as indicators of an interesting psychological trait. Recognition of specific behaviors as indicative in a psychological test may be based on empirical relationships or theoretical assumptions.

There are several characteristics that a good, credible psychological test must have:

1. objectivity,
2. reliability,
3. accuracy,
4. established norm values,
5. credibility,
6. standardization,
7. test validation.

In addition, psychological tests should have rules that will be able to calculate the value of the measured feature, as well as clearly define what behaviors of a diagnostician are acceptable during the test. Voluntariness is also important. On the one hand, people subjected to psychological tests should be made aware of their purpose (assessment), and should also answer any questions asked without coercion and in accordance with the facts.

Psychological tests – purpose

The main purpose of psychological tests is a preliminary or in-depth analysis of selected fields of the human psychological structure. Different spheres can be studied:

1. intelligence,
2. creativity,
3. cognitive abilities,
4. temperament,
5. the ability to cope with stress,
6. professional predispositions.

Some psychological tests are available in open sources. These are, for example, popular psychotests from internet portals. Although they have no scientific value, they still fulfill their purpose – psychological assessment. Scientific psychological tests are performed by people prepared for it, both in theory and in practice.

Read also: «Every fifth child in Poland has mental disorders. And it will get even worse »

Psychological tests – types

In psychology, tests can take a variety of forms. It all depends on the desired effect. So we are dealing with psychological tests with numbers or with squares. There are also psychological tests with figures and psychological tests with pictures that should be interpreted according to your own imagination.

There is a professional division of psychological tests.

1. Cognitive psychological tests. This type is also called maximal aptitude tests and is often used to assess the level of general intelligence or linguistic abilities of a subject. This group is divided into psychological tests examining a person’s abilities and his maximum abilities in terms of achievement, as well as tests assessing how much a given patient has achieved (e.g. after graduating from school).
2. Non-cognitive psychological tests, i.e. typical behavior tests. They assess such aspects of the human psyche as the value system, motivation, and personality.

Psychological tests – examples

Psychology specialists often use popular and thus proven psychological tests in their work. These include, for example:

1. symptom questionnaire “O” and symptom questionnaire “S” (tests for neurotic disorders),
2. MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory),
3. KON 2006 (neurotic personality questionnaire),
4. René Le Senne’s test (a personality test that measures activity, emotionality and psychological resonance)
5. Raven Matrix Test (intelligence test),
6. Cattell’s intelligence test
7. MTQ48 test (test for the assessment of mental resistance),
8. Pario Executive (Preference, Behavior and Motivation Assessment Test).

The aforementioned psychological tests are numerically measurable, that is, for each answer, the respondent is assigned points, which at the end give a numerical score and a psychological score assigned to him. Another type is projection psychological tests, sometimes controversial. Their results are only descriptive (eg “what do you associate this shape with?”) And thus provoke subjectivism on the part of the researcher. For many specialists, their results are therefore immeasurable. Such psychological tests include:

1. Unfinished Sentences Test,
2. Henry Murray’s Thematic Aperception Test,
3. Test Rorschacha.

Also read: «Personality test – types, course. What is the personality test? »

Psychological tests for work – examples

In the context of professional work, there are tests that are intended to provide a picture of predisposition to work (indicate the general area in which the respondent works best, e.g. creative professions), as well as those that assess whether the respondent meets the conditions for taking up a specific job.

When it comes to psychological tests for the police or other services, Multiselect Tests are in force in Poland. It is a question-and-three study (yes, no, I don’t know). Their task is to assess intellectual capacity, work attitude, social behavior and emotional stability. Each year, another, separate psychological test is developed for the prison service, customs service or the army.

On the other hand, psycho-technical tests are psychological tests for professional drivers, pilots of aircraft and other specific positions, such as machine operators, company drivers, truck and truck drivers, bus drivers, examiners and driving instructors or technical workers performing work at heights. Psychological tests are here combined with research in the field of technical knowledge.

The analysis of these psychological tests covers the personality of the driver (test and conversation with a psychologist), intellectual abilities (test of intellectual fitness and attention), as well as reaction time, motor and visual coordination, distance perception, reaction to glare and vision in the dark – tested with with the help of specialized equipment.

Psychological tests of children and adolescents

Psychological tests are also used in pedagogical clinics and children’s psychologists’ offices. Examples include:

1. psychological tests in the field of autism spectrum disorders,
2. attention disorders (ADD, ADHD) tests,
3. psychological tests of the child’s school readiness level.

Of course, psychological tests in adolescents and children also cover universal issues such as eating disorders, affective and dementia disorders, neurotic disorders and personality disorders.

Psychological tests – truthful answers

The credibility of psychological tests, which have been developed by eminent specialists, in accordance with all standards, will not be relevant if the test subject does not follow the basic rule himself.

It’s about honesty. In psychological tests, you should respond as you really think. There may be almost ideological questions, such as “Do you think it is worth helping others?” Social norms dictate that you say yes, but your own views may contradict it. Psychological tests do not assess the morality and validity of a worldview, so it is so important to respond according to conscience, true beliefs and with the facts.

Psychological tests – where to perform?

Psychologists are specialists in performing psychological tests. That is why the tests are performed in psychological offices during the visit, most often after a thorough initial consultation. Psychological tests are often taken into account by psychiatrists and are a decisive element in the drug treatment process. It is also the psychologist who supervises the conduct of professional psychological tests.

Psychological tests on the Internet should be viewed with caution. Their wide availability does not guarantee credibility. It also does not guarantee that they were developed by specialists. Internet and press psychotests are best treated as a form of entertainment.

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