Psychological tests, which are one of the methods that we use frequently in the clinic in order to get to know the individual closely, are measurement tools that allow the evaluation of a wide range of individuals, not only in a specific area. Although they are defined in different ways today, psychological tests are basically sets of standard stimuli chosen to represent the whole in order to measure any quality of the individual. In fact, we are quite familiar with testing practices in other fields besides psychology. For example; If we have a hearing problem, when we go to the relevant physician, he will ask for some tests that measure our hearing, and as a result of the tests, we will be evaluated in an objective way. In psychology, the individual’s feelings, thoughts, beliefs and attitudes are determined by asking various tests and inventories in line with the needs, based on the individual’s history of applying to the clinic. Results are an important resource for structuring the psychotherapy process.
Types of Psychological Tests
We can basically classify psychological tests in three ways.
.Ability Tests (Intelligence Tests)
.Developmental Tests
.Personality Tests
.We can evaluate neuropsychological tests as a sub-title of Aptitude Tests.
Intelligence Tests
The concept of intelligence is the capacity to think completely abstractly, to reason well, to have a critical view, as well as to act purposefully as a whole, to think logically, and to influence the people around them. Today, intelligence tests are standard measurement tools developed to evaluate a person’s current mental ability. Scoring is standard in most intelligence tests. The questions are read to the individual by a competent expert who administers the test and their answers are recorded unchanged. The tests are especially applied in the clinical setting.
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Another function of intelligence tests is to detect learning difficulties and mental retardation in individuals, if any. They can also be used as part of a neuropsychological assessment.
Some of these tests that are widely used in the clinic are; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- 4th Edition (WISC-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS), Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, Cattel Intelligence Test, Kent EGY Intelligence Test.
Neuropsychological Tests
Neuropsychological tests serve many purposes. The most basic of these is to identify the source of the individual’s complaints. Another area of use is to determine whether the brain damage is widespread or regional and/or to determine which functions are affected and to what extent.
One of these tests, which is widely used in the clinic, is the Neuropsychological Test Battery.
Developmental Tests
Developmental tests are a standardized measurement tool developed to determine the development level of children aged 0-6 years. Since the main purpose is to determine the level of development, during the evaluation phase of the test, there may be developmental delay in children, and the child’s development may be normal or advanced. After the evaluation of the test, the therapy plan is determined. The application of the test varies according to the age of the children. Sometimes it can be applied directly with the children as well as with their parents.
Among these tests, the tests that are widely used in the clinic are; Ankara Developmental Inventory, Denver, Gesell Developmental Figures Test.
Personality Tests
Personality tests are measurement tools consisting of standardized questionnaires used to accurately describe and make sense of a person’s character. Personality tests do not only include areas related to the measurement of personality traits and psychological symptoms, but also include mood, thought, behavior and motivation, interests and attitudes. It is divided into two groups as Objective and Projective.
Objective tests are self-administered tests and the measurement tool itself is objective. It was created to make a standard measurement and scoring.
Some of these tests that are widely used in the clinic are; Minnesota Multidimensional Personality Inventory (MMPI), Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
Projective tests are tests that allow the individual to reflect their inner world, feelings and thoughts by showing an ambiguous stimulus. Projective tests do not have a rating, it just depends on the reflection mechanism. They are measurement tools applied by a competent specialist in a clinical setting.
Some of these tests that are widely used in the clinic are; The Rorschach Inkblot Test is a Thematic Perception Test.
The form used for children is the Thematic Perception test for Children. In addition, Drawing Tests are also used.
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Psk. Meltem GÜNDÜZ
