Psychology
1. Numerous criticism have been directed at standardized testing including, for example, that they (a) take time away from teaching and instruction, (b) narrow curriculum, and (c) instill competitiveness.
Choose a position either for or against standardized testing and make a case for/against each of these three criticism. Be sure to support your position with evidence (not anecdotes).
2. Most personality tests are based on a respondent’s self-assessment of skill and/or character. As we have seen, responses to these types of questions are often inaccurate and biased (e.g. Dunning-Kruger effect). Identify three ways in which responses can be erroneous.
For each give a specific example and explain why the error occurs . Finally, in light of these shortcomings, make an evidence-based case for or against the use of personality tests in non-clinical settings such as jobs and schools.
3. Many students seem comfortable with the notion that the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is used to identify qualified personnel for specific military jobs. Many students also agree that such tests could be appropriate for civilian jobs that were “high-risk.” However, the idea of using such tests to assign people to appropriate job categories at the end of high school is often controversial.
Make a case for why you think the use of such a test at the end of high school is or is not appropriate. Support for your position should be based on empirical findings, psychological theory, or psychometric evidence.
4. In your opinion, what are the three biggest issues/concerns regarding intelligence tests or intelligence testing? Provide evidence to support your case. In light of these concerns, make an evidence-based case for or against the continued use of these tests.
5. Explain why neuropsychological assessment is an important supplement to brain scans such as PET and SPECT scans. Additionally, compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of the fixed battery and flexible battery approach of neuropsychological assessment.
6. Because most projective tests are qualitative in nature, concerns are often raised about their reliability and validity. Make a case for how and why you believe that projective personality tests can be shown to be both reliable and valid, and thus appropriate for use in clinical (and maybe research) settings.
