The word “test” refers to any means (often formally contrived) used to elicit responses to which human behaviour in other contexts can be related. When intended to predict relatively distant future behaviour (e.g., success in school), such a device is called an aptitude test. When used to evaluate the individual's present academic or vocational skill, it may be called an achievement test. In such settings as guidance offices, mental-health clinics, and psychiatric hospitals, tests of ability and personality may be helpful in the diagnosis and detection of troublesome behaviour. Industry and government alike have been prodigious users of tests for selecting workers. Research workers often rely on tests to translate theoretical concepts (e.g., intelligence) into experimentally useful measures.

- taken from the Encyclopædia Britannica Online  http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9109456/psychological-testing

To find out more about Psychological Tests check Credo's Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science  or the American Psychological Association’s page on  Psychological Tests - http://www.apa.org/science/faq-findtests.html .

Know a site or book that you'd like to share? Add your suggestion below and help improve this Subject Guide.

  

Submit a Link

Psychological Tests fall into two main categories, published and unpublished:

• Published tests are commercially published and available for purchase by trained or registered professionals

• Unpublished tests, on the other hand, are not commercially available. They are usually found referenced in journal articles or dissertations. To obtain these tests contact the author directly. It is also important to get the author's approval before use.