Question 1

When a test makes systematic errors in measurement, ________ exists.
A) discrimination
B) unfairness
C) bias
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Bias refers to systematic errors in measurement, which can lead to discrimination or unfairness. Therefore, option C is the correct choice. Option D is not entirely correct as discrimination and unfairness are outcomes of bias and not types of bias.

Question 2

Recent research suggests that ability tests _________ the performance of minorities.
A) under-represent
B) over-represent
C) under-predict
D) over-predict

Accepted Answer

D

Question 3

In general, it has been found that, on ability tests
A) children from a middle-class background score higher than children from a lower-class background
B) whites score lower than minorities
C) males usually score higher than females
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that children from a middle-class background score higher on ability tests compared to children from a lower-class background. However, it is not true that whites score lower than minorities or that males usually score higher than females. These claims are unfounded and can be considered stereotypes.

Question 4

A score on an intelligence test
A) is a fixed indicator of inborn capacity
B) is a sample of present behavior
C) is likely to reflect genetics over environment
D) cannot change for an individual over time

Accepted Answer

A score on an intelligence test is a sample of present behavior and only reflects an individual's performance on that specific test at that specific time. It is not a fixed indicator of inborn capacity, as intelligence is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. Additionally, intelligence can change for an individual over time through both natural developmental processes and intentional efforts to improve cognitive abilities through education and life experiences.

Question 5

A purely pictorial test is likely to be
A) culture-free
B) culture-fair
C) culture-reduced
D) culture-loaded

Accepted Answer

A purely pictorial test is likely to be culture-reduced as it relies on visual stimuli rather than language or cultural cues. This can help reduce the impact of cultural background or language barriers on test performance, making it more equitable for individuals from different cultural backgrounds. However, it is not entirely culture-free or culture-fair as cultural factors can still influence an individual's interpretation of visual stimuli.

Question 6

When a test shows significant correlations with relevant criteria for blacks, but nonsignificant correlations when used for whites, ________ exists.
A) fairness
B) differential validity
C) reverse discrimination
D) bias

Accepted Answer

Differential validity refers to a situation in which a test shows significant correlations with relevant criteria for one group but nonsignificant correlations when used for another group. This could be an indication of bias in the test, which may need to be revised to ensure fair and accurate results for all groups.

Question 7

________ is a characteristic of numbers; whereas ________ is a characteristic of one's actions.
A) Fairness; bias
B) Bias; discrimination
C) Bias; fairness
D) Discrimination; fairness

Accepted Answer

Bias is a characteristic of numbers, as it refers to an inclination or prejudice for or against something. Fairness, on the other hand, is a characteristic of one's actions, as it refers to the quality of treating people equally and without favoritism. Therefore, only option C pairs these two characteristics correctly. The other options pair either bias with discrimination or fairness with bias, which is not accurate.

Question 8

A value judgment regarding actions taken as a result of test scores concerns test
A) discrimination
B) fairness
C) bias
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of A value judgment regarding actions taken as...

Question 9

A test which deals with objects, beliefs or lore peculiar to one culture can be called
A) culture-reduced
B) culture-loaded
C) culture-fair
D) culture-free

Accepted Answer

Culture-loaded tests are those that include content specific to a particular culture, making them potentially biased towards individuals who are familiar with that culture's objects, beliefs, or lore.

Question 10

Group x items interactions are often used to assess
A) fairness
B) discrimination
C) bias
D) prejudice

Accepted Answer

Group x items interactions can be used to assess bias, which is the tendency for a particular outcome to be favored or disadvantaged for certain groups. Bias can occur in many forms, such as selection bias, measurement bias, or confounding bias. By examining the interaction between group x items, researchers can identify whether certain groups are consistently advantaged or disadvantaged, and take steps to mitigate these biases. Fairness, discrimination, and prejudice are related concepts, but they do not necessarily involve group x items interactions.

Question 11

Raven's Progressive Matrices, generally considered a culture-reduced test, produces
A) scores of whites and minorities that are similar
B) scores of whites that are generally lower than the scores of minorities
C) scores of minorities that are generally lower than the scores of whites
D) scores of minorities that are generally higher than the scores of whites

Accepted Answer

Raven's Progressive Matrices often show a performance gap where minorities tend to score lower than whites. This is a widely observed phenomenon in psychometric research, although the reasons for these differences are complex and subject to ongoing debate.

Question 12

Y = a + bx is the
A) bias equation
B) slope-bias equation
C) regression equation
D) regressive equation

Accepted Answer

This equation is the standard regression equation where Y is the dependent variable, a is the intercept, b is the slope, and x is the independent variable. It is used to predict the value of Y for a given value of x.

Question 13

The variation in scores on intelligence tests can be accounted for solely by
A) hereditability
B) genetics
C) environmental factors
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The variation in scores on intelligence tests is influenced by a combination of heredity, genetics, environmental factors, and their interactions, not solely by any single factor.

Question 14

When a test makes systematic errors in measuring a specific characteristic or attribute
A) bias in measurement exists
B) bias in prediction exists
C) fairness is the major issue
D) both bias in measurement and fairness are issues

Accepted Answer

When a test consistently produces inaccurate results in measuring a specific characteristic, it indicates the presence of bias in measurement.

Question 15

Differences in intercepts for different groups on a test could reflect
A) differences in test validity
B) bias toward one of the groups since scores reflect systematic differences in criterion scores
C) differences in means on a test but not in criterion measures
D) differential prediction

Accepted Answer

Differences in intercepts indicate differences in the mean scores on a test between different groups, but do not necessarily reflect differences in criterion measures. Differences in test validity (A) would result in differences in slope, whereas bias (B) would result in systematic differences in scores that are not reflected in criterion measures. Differential prediction (D) refers to differences in the accuracy of predicting criterion scores for different groups.

Question 16

______ twins have an identical genetic inheritance.
A) Dizygotic
B) Fraternal
C) Monozygotic
D) Trizygotic

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins are commonly known as identical twins and have the same genetic inheritance as they originate from a single fertilized egg splitting into two separate individuals. Dizygotic (fraternal) twins are formed from two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm cells and have different genetic inheritance. Trizygotic triplets and higher-order multiples are formed from three or more separate eggs and are even rarer than monozygotic twins.

Question 17

Scientific methods can be used to determine _________.
A) fairness
B) discrimination
C) values
D) bias

Accepted Answer

Scientific methods can be used to determine bias by employing systematic observation, measurement, and experimentation to identify and analyze any partiality or prejudice in data or processes.

Question 18

One possible explanation for why groups might receive systematically different scores on tests is that
A) there are real mean differences in the attributes being measured
B) the content of the test is familiar to some groups and not to others
C) the method in which a test is presented differs
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

There could be real mean differences in the attributes being measured between different groups, which could lead to different scores on tests. Additionally, the content of the test may be more familiar to certain groups based on their experiences, educational background, or cultural norms, which could also contribute to systematic score differences. Finally, the manner in which a test is presented (e.g. language used, format, instructions given) could vary between groups and contribute to different performance outcomes.

Question 19

One of the best general strategies for reducing the effects of test bias is to
A) employ multiple methods of assessment
B) change the content of the test
C) use the "Golden Rule" during test development
D) give alternative non-verbal tests

Accepted Answer

Employing multiple methods of assessment allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of a person's abilities, rather than relying solely on one test that may be biased towards certain groups. This can help to reduce the impact of any potential biases in a single test. Changing the content of the test or using alternative non-verbal tests may help to reduce bias in specific situations, but may not be the best general strategy for reducing the effects of test bias overall. Using the "Golden Rule" during test development (treating others as you would like to be treated) is a good ethical principle, but may not directly address the issue of test bias.

Question 20

The hypothesis that test score differences can best be understood in terms of differences between cultures of different test subgroups is supported by
A) hereditarians
B) geneticists
C) extremists
D) environmentalists

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis that test score differences can best be understood in terms of differences between cultures of different test subgroups is supported by environmentalists, who emphasize the impact of cultural and environmental factors on intelligence and academic achievement. Hereditarians and geneticists, on the other hand, posit that intelligence is primarily determined by genetic factors. The term "extremists" is not commonly used in this context and does not provide a clear indication of a specific perspective.

Quiz 15: Issues in Ability Testing

When a test makes systematic errors in measurement, ________ exists.

Recent research suggests that ability tests _________ the performance of minorities.

In general, it has been found that, on ability tests

A score on an intelligence test

A purely pictorial test is likely to be

When a test shows significant correlations with relevant criteria for blacks, but nonsignificant correlations when used for whites, ________ exists.

is a characteristic of numbers; whereas is a characteristic of one's actions.

A value judgment regarding actions taken as a result of test scores concerns test

A test which deals with objects, beliefs or lore peculiar to one culture can be called

Group x items interactions are often used to assess

Raven's Progressive Matrices, generally considered a culture-reduced test, produces

Y = a + bx is the

The variation in scores on intelligence tests can be accounted for solely by

When a test makes systematic errors in measuring a specific characteristic or attribute

Differences in intercepts for different groups on a test could reflect

______ twins have an identical genetic inheritance.

Scientific methods can be used to determine _________.

One possible explanation for why groups might receive systematically different scores on tests is that

One of the best general strategies for reducing the effects of test bias is to

The hypothesis that test score differences can best be understood in terms of differences between cultures of different test subgroups is supported by