Psychological testing is an assessment performed by a skilled professional, usually a licensed psychotherapist. This type of testing can be used to evaluate emotional, intellectual, cognitive and/or behavioral functioning of an individual. Psychological assessments are often recommended or requested by schools, workplaces and health professionals.
There is not a one-size fits all test for everyone. Psychologists determine which type of tests and methods are most appropriate for a patient’s specific situation. According to the American Psychological Association: “In many cases, psychologists who administer tests will then treat patients with psychotherapy. Some psychologists focus only on evaluating patients, and then refer them to other specialists for treatment after they’ve made a diagnosis. In either case, the testing and assessment process will help ensure that the client receives treatment that’s tailored to his or her individual needs.”
Who Benefits from Psychological Testing?
Psychological Assessments in Adolescents:
- Identify developmental delays, learning disabilities or processing problems
- Diagnose conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, emotional disturbances (e.g. depression or anxiety) or behavior disorders
- Cognitive and IQ Testing
- Determine vocational ability
- Diagnose socialization problems
Psychological Assessments in Adults:
- Educational purposes (Cognitive and IQ testing)
- Behavioral management
- Affirm clinical findings, such as when no physical evidence is observed for a specific diagnosis
- Depression and anxiety screenings
- Screenings for attention and/or concentration problems
- Parenting and pre-adoption assessment
- Dementia and memory loss screening
- Employment and workplace screening
Classifications of Psychological Tests
- Intelligence & Achievement Tests – These tests identify areas of strength and weakness and suggest where further testing needs to be done. An evaluator often chooses a particular test based on a child’s age and language. Intelligence tests are not a measure of how “smart” someone is. They measure intellectual potential.
- Personality Tests – Personality tests usually help measure how well you will perform at the organization based on your interpersonal skills, motivation and inspiration that drives you, and the role that you can excel in due to your behavioral traits.
- Attitude Tests – Attitude tests assess an individual’s feelings about an event, person, or object. Attitude scales are used in marketing to determine individual (and group) preferences for brands, or items. Typically attitude tests use either a Thurston Scale, or Likert Scale to measure specific items. Read more here.
- Public Safety Employment Tests – Vocations within the public safety field (i.e., fire service, law enforcement, corrections, emergency medical services) often require Industrial and Organizational Psychology tests for initial employment and advancement throughout the ranks.
- Neuropsychological Tests – Neuropsychological tests are specifically designed tasks used to measure a psychological function known to be linked to a particular brain structure or pathway. Tests are used for research into brain function and in a clinical setting for the diagnosis of deficits.
Treatment with a Psychologist
The good news is that these tests are not “graded” on a pass or fail basis. An individual’s score and all findings are used to reach a diagnosis and create a unique treatment plan to best help the patient. These tests provide tremendous insights into one’s mental abilities and behavior.
At Lakeshore Psychotherapy Group, we offer psychological screening & assessments in the areas of cognitive functioning, learning disorders, memory impairment, and issues with social-emotional functioning. Our screening assessments also focus on depression and anxiety disorders.