Psychometric testing in the workplace influences who gets promoted, transferred, or mentored. The objective of such tests as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator is to forecast a worker's ability to fill a certain role in an organization and predict future behavior. (Author/JOW)

Sketches a plan for an ideal profile analysis system as a model against which to evaluate the five articles included in this special issue of "School Psychology Quarterly." Offers brief comments on the profile analysis procedures used in each article. Argues that these procedures, although competent and acceptable, are far short of…

Computer-assisted testing is not without its problems and pitfalls, but it holds a great deal of promise as well. Computer administration of tests provides more control over the testing process than was ever possible with paper-and-pencil testing. At the same time it offers the possibility of being able to monitor and record aspects of the testing…

Neuropsychology combines psychometrics and the study of brain processes. There are two approaches to neuropsychology. The neurologic approach uses brief tests flexibly. The psychometric approach uses standardized graded scales in a set battery. Cortical testing in the form of intellectual abilities testing is 70 years old, yet psychometric…

Examines the role of psychological testing within the business environment. Outlines four guidelines for people who use tests to make decisions about other people: (1) use a broad-brush approach; (2) look for the whole person; (3) do not rely on testing alone; and (4) let people see their results. (CT)

Argues that, although expert systems--which are supposed to give users all the advantages of consulting with human experts--can be useful for medical diagnosis, where tests tend to be reliable, they can be hazardous in such areas as psychological testing, where test reliability is difficult to measure. (MBR)

A discrepancy exists between research formulations of personality characteristics potentially useful in evaluating people with mental retardation and actual practice in psychological assessment. Clinicians are encouraged to enhance traditional psychometric procedures with instrumentation deriving from personality formulations to promote better…

The Jastak System of obtaining scores on "personality" dimensions is currently widely promoted. It is shown to be totally spurious, based on hereditarian doctrines long in disrepute, and dangerous in use. The promotional techniques used are also described. (Author)

Presents interview of two counseling psychologists of the Career Counseling Center of the University of California, Los Angeles. Describes aspects of a relatively unique career counseling service which is composed of three intensive individual interviews and 15 to 25 hours of educational and psychological testing. (Author/ABL)

Many approaches to the assessment of psychopathology in children have been governed by the conception of the prepubescent child as being unable or unwilling to recognize and report on his or her own behavior. Behavior of interest to the evaluator is perceived as being particularly difficult to obtain. This conception of the child's abilities is…

Psychological assessment, a subspecialty of psychology has served as one of the earliest proving grounds of automated technology. This Special Series highlights some of the advances in computerized psychological assessment methods and discusses some of the lingering issues and contemporary problems with automated psychological assessment…

Discusses the changes in psychological testing and the rapidity of their development. Describes trends in the role of the test user, technical methodology of test construction, and interpretation of test scores. (Author)

Reviews predictions made at National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Convention in 1978. School psychology is now a separate nondoctoral professional subdiscipline of psychology. Recommends school psychologists not give up assessing for special education but broaden their roles to include intervention by participating in site-based…

Discusses the issues surrounding the right to use psychological tests. Examines the American Psychological Association's efforts to restrict test access, the likely impact of restricting use, and the mission of the Fair Access Coalition on Testing, which is devoted to allowing all appropriately trained professionals access to such tests. (RJM)

Reviews difficulties attending psychological assessment of individuals of cultural and ethnic minority groups. Critically reviews proposed solutions such as construction of new norms for conventional measures or development of new, culture-specific instruments. Emphasizes need to comprehend direct experience of subject and describes use of…