By You can trust psychological tests as long as they meet a set of solid criteria that support their authenticity and are administered in a professional setting. Let’s explore this.
Surely, at some point in your life you have taken a psychological test. Perhaps for a job offer, in consultation with a therapist or a psychosocial counselor at school. And, when faced with such a tool, a common doubt is whether psychological tests are really reliable?
When they are of good quality and are administered and interpreted appropriately, they are reliable. Psychometrics has a lot to do with this, as it uses statistical and scientific methods to ensure their credibility. However, there is a significant difference between psychological assessments tested and validated in a clinical or professional setting, compared to self-tests on the Internet.
Before knowing when a test is reliable and how to interpret it, join us to first delve into its usefulness, types, and the techniques to determine that these tests are safe.
The value of tests for psychology
Psychological assessments are useful for exploring various dimensions and characteristics of the human psyche . They address aspects such as intelligence and personality , as well as specific abilities in a standardized and objective way. Their presence extends throughout the discipline:
- Psychological work tests are great allies when selecting personnel .
- In the clinical field they are used to diagnose and treat mental disorders .
- Within the educational area, they function as a valuable resource for the evaluation of learning and behavior .
In general terms, they are of great importance because they facilitate the objective understanding of the human mind and contribute to informed decision making in psychology.
How do they work?
The operation of these tests varies depending on the type of test and the objective it pursues. However, there is a common process that includes several stages. The first phase consists of designing and standardizing the instrument, to ensure consistency in administration and evaluation .
As for the application, it can take different forms, depending on the nature and purpose. The person answers certain questions or tasks, and the answers are evaluated according to predefined criteria. They are then scored and the professional interprets the results.
Types of psychological tests
One of the ways to classify psychological tests is according to the specific dimensions they assess. Some types are as follows:
- Career guidance: Facts to identify areas of interest and aptitudes related to possible career choices. An example is the Strong Interest Inventory.
- Intelligence: designed to explore cognitive abilities such as problem solving , logical reasoning and verbal comprehension. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Raven Test are two of the most widely recognized and used.
- Clinical diagnoses: essential for diagnosing and assessing specific mental and emotional problems. For example, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to measure depression or the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) which investigates cognitive impairment .
- Personality: These are used to understand the traits, behavioral patterns , emotional characteristics, and other elements that define the way a person interacts with the world. The most notable include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Rorschach Test projective technique .
How reliable are tests in psychology?
A psychological test is reliable if you know how much you can trust its results; for this there are techniques that take into account a reproducible and stable scale. This results in obtaining consistent responses each time it is administered, whether at different times or with different groups of people. Some of the techniques used by psychometric experts are these:
- Split halves: the test is divided into two parts and the results obtained in both halves are correlated.
- Parallel forms: two equivalent versions of a test (the original and the created one) are administered to the same people and the results are then compared.
- Test-retest: The same test is administered to a group of people at two different times and the results are then compared to see how stable the responses are over time.
Differences between psychometric and projective techniques
As indicated in a paper published in Psicothema , when creating a reliable test, a series of steps involving psychometric principles must be carried out. In this way, a psychological test can be designed that meets scientific standards of rigor and quality.
It is therefore essential to distinguish psychometric techniques from projective ones. In psychometrics , the goal is to create tests that are valid, reliable and objective; that is, they measure what they are intended to measure, offer consistent results and their interpretation does not depend on the evaluator.
Compared to this rigorous approach, projective tests are considered by some professionals to be less reliable because the interpretation is more susceptible to the subjective view of the administrator.
The Rorschach test, the Human Figure Drawing, and the House-Tree-Person Test (HTP) are examples of projective techniques. They involve ambiguous figures or creative tasks such as drawing. These tests are part of the psychoanalytic school of thought , which seeks to understand the mind and emotions through more creative forms of expression.
Other aspects that make such tests reliable
Having distinguished the types of techniques, it is worth taking into account the following additional aspects to recognize when the tests are reliable and when you should question them.
Quality or professional support
Some tests were designed and developed with a careful and responsible approach, leaving significant recognition in the field of psychology. Professional endorsement often indicates that the test went through a validation and adjustment process to accurately measure what it purports to do.
However, not all psychological assessments share the same level of quality. If they cannot meet adequate standards of preparation, their reliability and usefulness are affected.
Method of administration
A quality psychological test that is poorly administered is not reliable. The evaluator must present the instructions, tasks, or questions in accordance with the specific instructions of the test. Likewise, the environment in which it is carried out must be appropriate.
Way it is understood
Interpretation of results is also a critical step. In order to draw valid conclusions, it is essential that the evaluator has a thorough understanding of the theory underlying the test and that he or she relies on precise and ethical guidelines for interpretation. This means following established criteria and avoiding subjective analysis.
How do you interpret a psychological test?
Effective interpretation goes beyond analyzing numbers and quantitative data. To ensure that psychology tests are reliable, accountability and a holistic view are key.
In the clinical setting, for example, a competent practitioner does not rely solely on the results of a single questionnaire or psychological test. Instead, he or she employs a full battery of tests and methods, including direct observation , to gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the individual.
Similarly, in the employment field, the combination of different tests in personnel selection processes makes the interpretation more precise and valuable. Here, the evaluator’s responsibility lies in integrating the information in a coherent manner, considering various factors such as skills, aptitudes and personality traits .
Online personality self-tests
Online tests, on the other hand, are a whole different story. The Internet is saturated with self-administered personality tests that promise to reveal fascinating information about you. “Find out if you are an introvert ” or “What type of attachment do you have? Find out with these questions” are just a few examples.
Taking these tests out of sheer curiosity is fine. However, you should know that their results are indicative and not decisive. Ultimately, they are a valuable tool for self-knowledge , facilitating reflection and introspection .
Tests you find on the Internet can offer you interesting
insights , but you should not consider them as definitive judgments about your personality or psychological characteristics.
The importance of using them responsibly and cautiously
Make sure they are reliable, whether you are a licensed professional to administer psychological tests or you are self-administering tests to explore aspects of your personality. Use them responsibly and avoid drawing meaningful conclusions from inconsistent results.
There is nothing wrong with online tests, which are intended as a guide, but remember that these questionnaires are not always reliable and cannot replace the administration and interpretation of a specialist.