PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING

PSYCHOLOGY 410

Fall 2007

Instructor: Pat Mulick Phone: 698-4215

Office: Derby 109 Email: pmulick@lyon.edu

Office Hours: M, T, R, F 10:00 – 11:00; W 2:30 – 3:30

Required Texts: Gregory, R. J. (2007). Psychological testing: History, principles, and applications (5^th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Course Description: This course is a study of various aspects of psychological assessment. The content specifically focuses on the nature and theory of individual and group tests of intelligence, personality, interests, and attitudes.

Course Objectives:

Be familiar with the various theoretical, ethical and professional issues related to psychological assessment.
Know the limits of and dangers inherent in psychological measurement.
Be thoroughly familiar with basic psychometric concepts associated with psychological tests.
Be familiar with the psychometric and clinical characteristics of the most important and widely used psychological tests.
Be familiar with issues surrounding important controversies related to intelligence and projective testing.

Expectations:

I expect you to be present, punctual, prepared, and attentive during class. You can also expect me to be present, punctual, and prepared to teach. I expect you to participate positively and constructively in class and be respectful to others thoughts, opinions, and questions. You can expect me to provide a positive learning environment that encourages active student learning and I will be open to all thoughts, opinions, and questions. Finally, I expect you to understand and abide by the information and procedures described in the syllabus.

Accommodations:

Students with physical, neurological, emotional, or learning disabilities which affect their academic performance may request reasonable accommodations for such disabilities. To do so, a student must inform the Office of Academic Services, in writing, of his/her disability and the nature of its effect on academic performance, and provide additional information as specified in the College’s guidelines. The guidelines are available in the Office of Academic Services.

Course attendance:

While it is expected that students will be present for every class, the college attendance policy will be utilized for this course:

Students are expected to be present at every scheduled meeting of a class or laboratory.

They should confer with individual professors before and after absences incurred due to sickness, personal emergency, or College business. Unexcused failure to attend class for the equivalent of three weeks may result in students’ dismissal from the class with a failing grade. Students who are administratively withdrawn from more than one course will be placed on probation or suspended (see Academic Probation and Academic Suspension).

Professor’s Pet-peeves:

I know, I know…you are no longer in high school…you do not need to be told how to behave in a classroom. I totally agree, but from my past experiences here is a list of things to do or not do while attending my class.

Turn off your cell phones (not just silence…we all know the vibrating sound through the backpack).
No text messaging, reading the newspaper, working on other assignments.
Try to be on-time.
Do not pack up your things until class has ended.

Your attention to these simple behaviors will make me very happy…and since I am the one grading your work…you want me to be very happy.

Course Requirements:

Assigned Readings:

Assigned readings must be read prior to the class lecture. We will not cover everything from the readings in class; however, you will be responsible for all material from assigned readings. Many of the test questions will cover material directly from the text and any supplemental readings. The chapters from the books have been assigned to facilitate discussion and debate. Therefore, it is especially important that you read the material before class.

Quizzes:

There will be a quiz over each chapter studied during the semester. The quizzes will be 15 points each and will cover the lecture and reading material (Reading material for the day of the quiz will be on the quiz as well). There will be no make-up quizzes given for any reason. Each student will have the opportunity to throw out his/her lowest score on a quiz. There will be a total of 10 quizzes (each student will have the highest 9 quiz scores count toward his/her final grade).

Case Conceptualizations:

Each student is expected to turn in 3 (out of 4 possible) case conceptualizations during the course of the semester. Each thought paper should be at least 2 pages long, but no longer than 3 pages. All papers should be typed, double-spaced, and stapled (hand-written and/or single spaced papers will not be accepted). Papers are due on the respective dates indicated on the course schedule. The topics for the papers will be provided to you in class. The papers are an opportunity for the student to critically think and respond about different aspects of psychological assessment and testing. Good critical thinking involves an understanding of current issues and empirical knowledge, in keeping with these foundations at least THREE outside resources will be expected for the paper. (You will lose 5 points for each reference you are short…the text, class articles, and non-empirical internet resources DO NOT count toward your references.) Each paper is a possible 25 points. The majority of the score for each paper will be on the level and depth of the student’s thoughts; however, quality of writing will contribute to the overall score (80% content; 20% writing/format). Papers are due at the beginning of class. If a paper is late it is automatically deducted 5 points. An additional 5 points will be deducted for each day following.

Mock Interview:

Each student will be required to conduct a mock psychological interview with the instructor. The students will act as the psychologist, while the instructor plays the role of a client seeking mental health services. The interview is worth a possible 25 points. The majority of the student’s grade will on his or her understanding of the format and content for a psychological interview. A minor portion of the grade will be based on the flow and interaction during the interview (80% format/content; 20% flow/interaction).

Final Exam:

The final exam will be cumulative for the entire semester. It will be made up of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. This is typically considered the most difficult part of the course. The exam demands that the students are able to incorporate and compare knowledge learned over the entire course. It is suggested that the students continue to review the historical figures and topics over the entire semester. The final exam is worth 50 points. The final exam will be administered on the date and time as stated by the college. Exceptions will be made only in EXTREME circumstances.

Pop-quizzes:

Much of this class will depend on the discussion and participation of the students. To help insure and monitor the level of participation of all students, 4 “pop-quizzes” will be given randomly throughout the semester. Each pop-quiz is worth 5 points. There will be NO make-up pop-quizzes given for any reason.

Extra Credit:

It is very important to me as a professor to get to know students individuals. It is also important to you as students to become more familiar interacting with professors and colleagues. Therefore, students will receive 2 extra credit points after their first office hours visit (before November 2^nd). Students are encouraged to attend office hours whenever they need or want, but the 2 points will only be given for the first visit.

Honor Code Information: I want to encourage you to work with your classmates in discussing ideas we address in class and in preparing for exams. On the other hand, when it comes to turning in an assignment such as the semester paper, what you write should be your own words and your own work. If you are using someone else's ideas to make a point, give them the credit for those ideas. While you certainly should study with others before exams, during the exam itself, you may neither give nor receive aid from anyone else. Unless you have some condition you wish to discuss with me that would warrant other arrangements, all exams will be taken in our classroom and are closed notes and closed book. All graded work in this class is to be pledged in accordance with the Lyon College Honor Code. If you have any questions about what might constitute an honor code violation, please feel free to talk with me.

The Lyon College Honor Pledge states:

"I will abstain from all fraud in academic work. I will neither give nor receive aid on any form of test or assigned work where such aid is prohibited, nor tolerate this conduct in any member of the community. I will deal responsibly with such acts when I observe them. By my conduct and influence, I will endeavor to build a high standard of honesty and truthfulness in all academic work."

*SPECIAL NOTE: For written assignments, only hard copies will be accepted (i.e. no electronic attachments to emails). No exceptions!

Grading:

Requirements Individual points Total Points

9 QUIZZES 15 points each 135

3 case conceptualizations 25 points each 75

Mock interview 25 points 25

FINAL EXAM 50 points 50

4 Pop-quizzes 5 points each 20

TOTAL SCORE 305 POINTS

Grading Scale:

A 90% + 272+

B 80 – 89% 242 – 271

C 70 – 79% 211 – 241

D 60 – 69% 181 – 210

F 0-59% < 180

Tentative Course Schedule

Date	Topics Covered	Readings	Due
T 8/21	Syllabus/Introduction
R 8/23	Overview of assessment/testing	Ch. 1
T 8/28	Diagnosis	Assigned reading
R 8/30	Ethics/Implications	Ch 1
T 9/4	Confidentiality	Assigned reading	Quiz 1 (Ch 1)
R 9/6	History	Ch 2
T 9/11	Norms	Ch 3	Quiz 2 (Ch 2/Reading) Case conceptualization #1
R 9/13	Reliability	Ch 3
T 9/18	Validity	Ch 4	Quiz 3 (Ch 3)
R 9/20	Test/Interview Construction	Ch 4
T 9/25	Psychological Interview	Assigned reading	Quiz 4 (Ch 4)
R 9/27	Psychological Interview	Assigned reading
T 10/2	Psychological Interview		Quiz 5 (Readings) Case conceptualization #2
R 10/4	Mock Interviews
T 10/9	Mock Interviews
R 10/11	Fall Break	No Class
T 10/16	Mock Interviews
R 10/18	Theories of Intelligence	Ch 5
T 10/23	IQ/Achievement Tests	Ch 5
R 10/25	IQ/Achievement Tests	Ch 5
T 10/30	Theories of Personality	Ch 8 (pp. 341-356)	Quiz 6 (Ch 5)
R 11/1	Theories of Personality	Assigned reading
T 11/6	Projective Tests	Ch 8 (pp. 357-376)	Quiz 7 (Ch 8/Reading) Case conceptualization #3
R 11/8	Projective Tests
T 11/13	Self-report Tests	Ch 9 (pp. 377-418)	Quiz 8 (pp. 341-376)
R 11/15	Research day	No Class
T 11/20	Self-report Tests
R 11/22	Thanksgiving	No Class
T 11/27	Behavioral Assessment	Ch 9 (pp. 420-439)	Quiz 9 (pp.377-418)
R 11/29	Behavioral Assessment
T 12/4	Wrap-up		Quiz 10 (pp. 420-439) Case conceptualization #4
12/6-12/12	Finals Week – check schedule