The study involving 60 Ss investigated whether response instability differs significantly among self-concept levels of elementary and junior high learning disabled (LD) students, whether these students differ significantly on item response instability, and whether response instability is significantly related to age, sex, race, or IQ. (SBH)

Studies the possibility of using the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) in reliably differentiating levels of competence in resident assistants (RAs). Pinpoints personality traits favorably rated by RA selectors and indicates a small subset of the CPI which could be used for screening RA applicants. (Author/BEF)

Examined an instrument widely used for both clinical and research purposes, to assess its accuracy with college students. Compared scores of 209 undergraduates using a university-based clinic with those of 435 nonpatient students and with adults and adolescents. When compared with norms based on unscreened community samples, nonpatient…

Summarizes the current state of the art in test construction and contrasts it with previous conceptual models, some of which are wrong or misleading. New methodologies for item selection and review are presented, with current thinking on the specification of technical characteristics of tests. (Author/SLD)

Describes development of Adolescent Drug Abuse Diagnosis (ADAD), a 150-item instrument with a structured interview format, which produces a comprehensive evaluation of the life problem areas pertinent to the needs of adolescent drug abuse clients. A series of validity and reliability tests are described, along with characteristics of the…

To clarify methodological differences, five studies with cluster analysis solutions of 183 Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profiles of male heroin addicts were critically reviewed. The methodologies used were replicated. A solution using complete linkage with Pearson correlation and recommendations for future cluster analysis…

The factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory was analyzed via principal components analysis of data from America (n=469 teachers) and New Zealand (n=244 female nurses). The analysis, which included varimax rotations, indicated that the inventory measures depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and lack of personal accomplishment. (TJH)

A survey of 97 school psychologists found that the majority felt they needed additional training in administering, scoring, and interpreting the fourth edition of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. Thirty-four percent were using the fourth edition. Rank ordering of instruments of choice was: Wechsler scales, Kaufman Scale, old Stanford-Binet,…

Five computerized role-playing scenarios accepting unrestricted natural language input were administered to 72 freshman medical students. The scenarios measured and automatically scored responses on five psychological dimensions: social skills, level of frustration, submissiveness, combativeness, and negotiative ability. Tests identified…

This study examined the underlying structure of the Subjective Stress Scale (SSS) by analyzing responses of 221 intellectually disabled adults. Results suggest that, although actual stressors vary, persons with mild intellectual disability are affected by the same major stress dimensions as the general population. Results also found the SSS…

A model is proposed for the clinical synthesis of data from psychological tests of persons with visual impairments. The model integrates the concepts of the ideal type and Bayesian probability and compares actual test scores with ideal scores through use of a pattern similarity coefficient. A pilot study with Business Enterprise Program operators…

Surveyed training directors of American Psychological Association approved counseling psychology programs and internship sites to determine extent of training in psychological assessment procedures. Found that clinical interview was most widely used procedure, vocational assessment was changing, different procedures were emphasized in academic and…

The issue of test user competency arises from the question of restrictions on the use of psychological tests. The only justifiable basis for restricting test use is one that reflects the skills and competencies of the user. Ultimately, only professional judgment determines whether a test is properly used. (SLD)

A method is outlined for analysis of the shape of an individual profile of scores on a standardized test battery. The method uses a simultaneous test procedure allowing for an overall test of profile flatness, with follow-up tests on all contrasts of interest. (SLD)

Reports on development and psychometric properties of Feminist Family Therapy Scale (FFTS), a 17-item instrument intended to reflect degree to which family therapists conceptualize process of family therapy from feminist-informed perspective. Found that the instrument discriminated between self-identified feminists and nonfeminists, women and men,…