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Exam notes
Learning Unit 1 — Psychological Assessment study
notes
LO1: Key concepts of the assessment process
Core definitions
Psychological assessment → A process that gathers information from many
sources (tests, interviews, history, collateral) to enable informed decisions
Testing → The act of measuring behaviour using a specific instrument — just
one part of assessment
Psychometrics → The science behind developing psychological measures —
ensures validity & reliability
Tools / instruments → Tests, scales, procedures, measures — anything used to
assess human behaviour
Tele-assessment → Client & practitioner in different locations, connected via
Zoom / MS Teams etc.
Why we assess — 8 purposes
Identify strengths & weaknesses Map development / progress
Job / study suitability Training & education needs
Diagnose psychological conditions Evaluate intervention needs
Measure effectiveness of programs Gather research data
Characteristics of assessment measures
Used in psychological, occupational & educational settings · Measure a specific
domain · Administered under standardised conditions · Scored systematically ·
Compared to norm groups OR competency criteria · Need validity & reliability
evidence · Must be culturally sensitive · Only one source of info — approximate
by nature
Exam notes 1
, Speed vs power measures
Speed measure Power measure
Many easy items · Strict time No time limit · Items get
limit · Almost nobody finishes all progressively harder · Everyone
items can attempt every question
The multidimensional assessment process
Multiple measures Norm-based Multiple sources Professionals,
tests, interviews, observations, family, teachers, employers
rating scales
Multiple settings Home, school,
Multiple domains Cognitive, work, virtual platforms
personality, motor, language,
scholastic
LO2: Psychological assessment in Africa
Historical problem: tools developed in Europe & America, applied in Africa
during colonial times without local adaptation
Shift toward African-centred approach
Understanding indigenous perspectivesDeveloping culturally appropriate
toolsAdapting Western tests for African contextsGrowing African Journal of
Psychological Assessment (AJOPA)
⚠️ Key idea: integration of African + Western approaches is essential due to
globalisation. Goal = richer, more comprehensive evaluations (Moletsane, 2016)
Glossary: Quick-reference terms
Competency-based assessment → Assesses skills, behaviours & values
needed for effective performance — results linked to workplace/training
competency language
Standardised conditions → Same instructions, environment & scoring for every
test-taker — reduces error & bias
Exam notes 2
Exam notes
Learning Unit 1 — Psychological Assessment study
notes
LO1: Key concepts of the assessment process
Core definitions
Psychological assessment → A process that gathers information from many
sources (tests, interviews, history, collateral) to enable informed decisions
Testing → The act of measuring behaviour using a specific instrument — just
one part of assessment
Psychometrics → The science behind developing psychological measures —
ensures validity & reliability
Tools / instruments → Tests, scales, procedures, measures — anything used to
assess human behaviour
Tele-assessment → Client & practitioner in different locations, connected via
Zoom / MS Teams etc.
Why we assess — 8 purposes
Identify strengths & weaknesses Map development / progress
Job / study suitability Training & education needs
Diagnose psychological conditions Evaluate intervention needs
Measure effectiveness of programs Gather research data
Characteristics of assessment measures
Used in psychological, occupational & educational settings · Measure a specific
domain · Administered under standardised conditions · Scored systematically ·
Compared to norm groups OR competency criteria · Need validity & reliability
evidence · Must be culturally sensitive · Only one source of info — approximate
by nature
Exam notes 1
, Speed vs power measures
Speed measure Power measure
Many easy items · Strict time No time limit · Items get
limit · Almost nobody finishes all progressively harder · Everyone
items can attempt every question
The multidimensional assessment process
Multiple measures Norm-based Multiple sources Professionals,
tests, interviews, observations, family, teachers, employers
rating scales
Multiple settings Home, school,
Multiple domains Cognitive, work, virtual platforms
personality, motor, language,
scholastic
LO2: Psychological assessment in Africa
Historical problem: tools developed in Europe & America, applied in Africa
during colonial times without local adaptation
Shift toward African-centred approach
Understanding indigenous perspectivesDeveloping culturally appropriate
toolsAdapting Western tests for African contextsGrowing African Journal of
Psychological Assessment (AJOPA)
⚠️ Key idea: integration of African + Western approaches is essential due to
globalisation. Goal = richer, more comprehensive evaluations (Moletsane, 2016)
Glossary: Quick-reference terms
Competency-based assessment → Assesses skills, behaviours & values
needed for effective performance — results linked to workplace/training
competency language
Standardised conditions → Same instructions, environment & scoring for every
test-taker — reduces error & bias
Exam notes 2
