Topic > Psychological assessment vs. Test - 941

Psychological evaluation is an important part of the counseling process. Very often psychological evaluation is confused with psychological tests, even though they are different. According to Cohen & Swerdlik (2009), psychological testing is: “the process of measuring psychology-related variables using devices or procedures designed to obtain a sample of behavior” (p. 14). Cohen & Swerdlik (2009) further define psychological assessment as: “the collection and integration of data relating to psychology for the purpose of carrying out a psychological assessment which is carried out through the use of tools such as tests, interviews, case studies, behavioral observation, and specially designed measuring devices and procedures” (p. 14). The psychological evaluation procedure includes psychological tests. Instead of relying on the results of a particular test, it incorporates data collected from other sources such as interviews, current complaints, information from significant others, behavioral observations, and historical data. Psychological testing is the simple administration, scoring, and interpretation of a particular test score (usually numerical) that gives us insight into an attribute or characteristic; whereas psychological assessment is a logical problem-solving process, which can be therapeutic for the client and help them realize their potential and achieve their goals (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009; Hood & Johnson, 2007). The psychological assessment process is more individualized, however psychological testing involves the management of an individual or a group (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009). The psychological assessment process is a complex procedure compared to psychological testing (Weiner, 2003) which according to M...... half of the paper ......rk, NY: Springer.Hood, AB, & Johnson, RW (2007). Use of evaluation procedures in consultancy. In Assessment in counseling: A guide to the use of psychological assessment procedures. (4th ed.). (pages 3-11). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. Meyer, G. (2000). Incremental validity of the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale compared to the MMPI Ego Strength Scale and IQ. Journal of Personality Assessment, 74(3), 356-370. Meyer, G. J., Finn, S. E., Eyde, L. D., Kay, G. G., Moreland, K. L., Dies, R. R., . . . Read, GM (2001). Psychological testing and psychological assessment: A review of evidence and issues. American Psychologist, 56(2), 128-165. doi:10.1037//OOO3-O66X.56.2.128Weiner, I. B. (2003). Education and training in psychological assessment. In I. B. Weiner (Ed.), Handbook of psychology (Vol. 10, pp. 182-205). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.