Question 1

A test is said to be reliable if
A) a person's score on a test is pretty much the same every time he or she takes it.
B) it contains an adequate sample of the skills it is supposed to measure.
C) its results agree with a more direct measure of what the test is designed to predict.
D) it is culture-free.

Accepted Answer

Option A defines the concept of reliability accurately. A reliable test produces consistent results every time it is taken by the same individual or group of individuals. Options B, C, and D are related to other aspects of test quality and do not exclusively define reliability.

Question 2

A score on an intelligence test with a percentile rank of .30 indicates that
A) The score is two standard deviations above the mean.
B) The score is two standard deviations below the mean.
C) 30% of the population has lower scores.
D) 30% of the population has higher scores.

Accepted Answer

A percentile rank of .30 means that 30% of the population has lower scores and 70% of the population has higher scores. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 3

Cameron is so surprised by his score on an intelligence test that he decides to take it again. His second score is almost exactly the same as his first score. The test Cameron took appears to have high
A) predictive validity.
B) test-retest reliability.
C) standardization.
D) convolution.

Accepted Answer

The fact that Cameron's second score is almost exactly the same as his first score suggests that the test has high test-retest reliability, meaning that individuals consistently score similarly across time and administrations of the test. None of the other answer choices address this specific aspect of the test's reliability.

Question 4

In the Middle Ages, people accused of being witches were often tested by being dunked in a river or pond. If they floated to the surface, they were condemned as witches. If they sank and drowned, they were posthumously acquitted. This test obviously lacks
A) reliability.
B) norms.
C) validity.
D) bias.

Accepted Answer

The test lacks validity because it does not actually measure what it purports to measure, which is whether or not someone is a witch. Floating or sinking in water is not a scientifically or logically valid method to determine witchcraft.

Question 5

Binet and Simon considered children behind in their schooling if their
A) mental age equals their chronological age.
B) mental age is lower than their chronological age.
C) mental age is higher than their chronological age.
D) mental age does not equal their chronological age.

Accepted Answer

According to Binet and Simon's definition, children were considered behind in their schooling if their mental age was lower than their chronological age.

Question 6

Most intelligence scales use standardized testing. This is because standardization allows researchers to
A) determine how much of an individual's intelligence is the result of heredity.
B) make comparisons across large groups of people.
C) avoid stereotype threat.
D) determine what makes each person unique.

Accepted Answer

Standardization allows researchers to make comparisons across large groups of people, which is essential for developing norms and determining how individuals score relative to the rest of the population. It does not necessarily provide information about heredity, address stereotype threat, or identify what makes each person unique.

Question 7

Which of the following is a key advantage to using a standardized test?
A) The test can be tailored to individual test takers.
B) Test takers know what information they will be tested on before taking the test.
C) Standardization allows results to be compared across individuals.
D) There are no advantages to standardized tests.

Accepted Answer

Standardization allows results to be compared across individuals, which can provide valuable insights into performance trends and inform policymaking. A, B, and D are incorrect because standardized tests are designed to ensure consistency and fairness across all test takers, making personalized tailoring impossible. Furthermore, test takers may not know the exact questions on the test, but they do know the general format and content. Finally, while standardized tests are not perfect, they do have some advantages, including facilitating comparisons across individuals.

Question 8

Miranda's 8^th grade teacher tells her that the class will be taking a standardized test next week. What does this mean? A) The test will be administered and scored the same way for everyone who takes it. B) The results of the test will determine Kwan's placement in the 9^th grade. C) The average grade for the class should be around 100 points. D) The test will be designed to measure Kwan's intelligence.

Accepted Answer

The teacher is indicating that the test will be standardized, meaning it will be administered and scored the same way for everyone who takes it.

Question 9

Misha receives a score of 115 on a standardized intelligence test. This indicates that Misha is _______ standard deviations __________ average.
A) one; below
B) one; above
C) three; below.
D) three; above.

Accepted Answer

The average score on a standardized intelligence test is set at 100, and the standard deviation is typically 15 points. Therefore, Misha's score of 115 is one standard deviation above the average.

Question 10

A test that is classified as a "valid" measure is one that
A) measures what it is intended to measure.
B) produces repeatable scores over time.
C) allows for comparison across groups of people.
D) produces both repeatable scores and measures what it is intended to measure.

Accepted Answer

A valid test measures what it is intended to measure, which is the definition of validity in the context of psychological testing and assessment.

Question 11

Francis has his intelligence tested and receives a score of 100. Given the norm for most intelligence tests, Francis' score is
A) extremely below average.
B) slightly below average.
C) average.
D) above average.

Accepted Answer

The average score on most intelligence tests is around 100, so Francis' score is considered average.

Question 12

Which branch of psychology would be concerned with constructing valid and reliable intelligence tests?
A) anthropometrics
B) psychometrics
C) clinical psychology
D) standardized testing

Accepted Answer

Psychometrics is the branch of psychology concerned with the measurement of psychological attributes such as intelligence, personality, and abilities. Developing valid and reliable intelligence tests falls under this area of study. Anthropometrics is the study of physical measurements of humans, clinical psychology focuses on the assessment and treatment of mental illness, and standardized testing refers to any type of test that is administered and scored in a consistent manner.

Question 13

Binet and Simon measured children using what new concept?
A) divergent thinking
B) mental set
C) mental age
D) creativity

Accepted Answer

Binet and Simon introduced the concept of mental age, which was a measure of a child's ability compared to other children of the same age. This was a new concept in understanding intelligence, as it took into account a child's potential rather than just their performance on standardized tests.

Question 14

Because of the norms and the distribution of scores for most intelligence tests, a score of 100 usually has a percentile rank of
A) 1.
B) .50.
C) .10.
D) .05.

Accepted Answer

A score of 100 usually represents the average or median score on intelligence tests, therefore, it would have a percentile rank of .50, meaning that 50% of the population scores higher and 50% score lower than 100. Scores of 1, .10, or .05 are extremely low and would not represent an average or typical score.

Question 15

The average score on most IQ tests is
A) 15.
B) 100.
C) 150.
D) 500.

Accepted Answer

The average score on most IQ tests is standardized to a mean score of 100. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Options A, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 16

The National Football League (NFL) uses a cognitive aptitude test called the Wonderlic. The leaked Wonderlic scores of several high profile players suggests that the test
A) may have low validity.
B) may have low reliability.
C) has high validity.
D) has high reliability.

Accepted Answer

The leaked Wonderlic scores suggesting variability or unexpected results among high profile players could indicate that the test may not be accurately measuring what it intends to (e.g., cognitive aptitude in relation to football playing ability), thus pointing towards potential issues with its validity.

Question 17

The measurement of psychological traits and abilities is referred to as
A) psychometrics.
B) standardized testing.
C) achievement testing.
D) percentile ranking.

Accepted Answer

Psychometrics involves the development, validation, and administration of tests and measures used to assess personality traits, cognitive abilities, and other psychological variables. Standardized testing and achievement testing are specific types of psychometric testing, while percentile ranking is a method of interpreting test scores.

Question 18

Psychological tests that yield relatively consistent results are said to be
A) valid.
B) normed.
C) reliable.
D) standardized.

Accepted Answer

Psychological tests that yield relatively consistent results are said to be reliable. Validity refers to a test's accuracy in measuring what it is supposed to measure, norming refers to establishing norms or a reference group for a test, and standardization refers to the process of administering and scoring a test in a consistent and uniform manner. While these concepts are important in testing, only reliability directly addresses the consistency or stability of a test's results.

Question 19

A psychological test that measures what we intend it to measure is said to be
A) valid.
B) normed.
C) reliable.
D) standardized.

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the accuracy of a test in measuring what it is intended to measure. Validity is a critical aspect of psychological testing.

Question 20

When a test has a high capacity to forecast future behaviors or outcomes, it might be described as having high ________ validity.
A) concurrent
B) predictive
C) future-oriented
D) construct

Accepted Answer

Predictive validity refers to the extent to which a score on a test can be used to predict future behaviors or outcomes. Therefore, a test with high predictive validity would have a high capacity to forecast future behaviors or outcomes.

Quiz 9: Intelligence, Aptitude, and Cognitive Abilities

A test is said to be reliable if

A score on an intelligence test with a percentile rank of .30 indicates that

Cameron is so surprised by his score on an intelligence test that he decides to take it again. His second score is almost exactly the same as his first score. The test Cameron took appears to have high

In the Middle Ages, people accused of being witches were often tested by being dunked in a river or pond. If they floated to the surface, they were condemned as witches. If they sank and drowned, they were posthumously acquitted. This test obviously lacks

Binet and Simon considered children behind in their schooling if their

Most intelligence scales use standardized testing. This is because standardization allows researchers to

Which of the following is a key advantage to using a standardized test?

Miranda's 8^th grade teacher tells her that the class will be taking a standardized test next week. What does this mean?

Misha receives a score of 115 on a standardized intelligence test. This indicates that Misha is _ standard deviations ____ average.

A test that is classified as a "valid" measure is one that

Francis has his intelligence tested and receives a score of 100. Given the norm for most intelligence tests, Francis' score is

Which branch of psychology would be concerned with constructing valid and reliable intelligence tests?

Binet and Simon measured children using what new concept?

Because of the norms and the distribution of scores for most intelligence tests, a score of 100 usually has a percentile rank of

The average score on most IQ tests is

The National Football League (NFL) uses a cognitive aptitude test called the Wonderlic. The leaked Wonderlic scores of several high profile players suggests that the test

The measurement of psychological traits and abilities is referred to as

Psychological tests that yield relatively consistent results are said to be

A psychological test that measures what we intend it to measure is said to be

When a test has a high capacity to forecast future behaviors or outcomes, it might be described as having high ________ validity.