Examples Of Psychological Tests

Psychology is the study of behavior. Behavior can be assessed through observation as well as psychological tests. Test results provide a sampling of a person's characteristics or traits. As such, they can be used to help predict future behavior. Some psychological tests are also capable of uncovering psychiatric symptoms. Although results may suggest the existence of a psychiatric condition, definitive conclusions regarding mental health diagnoses are unable to be made on test results alone.

Intelligence Tests

Intelligence tests are used to measure a person's overall level of intellectual functioning. In his book "Psychological Testing", Robert J. Gregory states that despite the varying definitions of intelligence, experts tend to agree that it includes the capacity to learn from experiences and adapt to one's surroundings. A popular intelligence test is the Stanford-Binet: Fourth Edition (SB:FE). This test can be administered from age 2 to adulthood. It assesses verbal, abstract/visual, quantitative and short term memory abilities.

Personality Tests

Personality tests are self-reported inventories that are used to measure traits and behaviors. The most widely used personality inventory is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2). The MMPI-2 consists of 567 true or false questions and takes over an hour to complete. It touches on a variety of topics such as health concerns, relationship problems, substance abuse, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, manic symptoms, delusions and hallucinations. The MMPI-2 is used by law enforcement as part of a fitness-for-duty evaluation (FFD). According to Dr. Laurence Miller, FFDs are used to determine if someone is psychologically capable of meeting the demands of a police officer or if that person's performance will be impacted by an underlying disorder.

Projective Tests

Projective testing is rooted in the psychoanalytic theory. It is based on the belief that one's wants, needs, motivations and instincts are unconscious constructs. In order to reveal one's innermost thoughts, individuals are shown ambiguous stimuli and asked to explain what they see. For example, the ambiguous stimuli used in the Rorschach test are 10 symmetrical inkblots, five are in color and five are black and white. What is construed from this test is prone to subjectivity. Therefore, interpretations typically vary among examiners.

Interest Inventories

Interest inventories are often given to high school and college students by guidance counselors to assist students in identifying occupational preferences and determine career paths. One of the most widely used interest inventories is the Strong Interest Inventory (SII). The SII asks students whether they like or dislike certain school subjects, recreational activities and types of work. It also assesses personality types to determine which of six work environments best suits them. The six occupational types are Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional.