AZA4480 - Psychological testing and assessment - 2019

The unit aims to expand students' conceptual understanding of the principles and methods of psychological assessment. This includes the notions of reliability and validity and contemporary methods used to evaluate psychometric properties of instruments. Instruments for assessing abilities and personality in various contexts, e.g., clinical, counselling, neuropsychological, educational and organizational will be reviewed and core practical skills in implementing these instruments and interpreting results will be acquired.

Psychological testing and assessment in a multicultural and multilingual societal context will be a core theme which will be addressed with reference to the global and the South African context. Themes of cultural sensitivity, fairness and bias will form an integral part of the academic discourse. Competencies in interpreting and reporting psychological assessment results and report writing skills will be developed through practical assignments and case studies. An integrated approach to assessment, incorporating psychometric and qualitative measures and techniques will fall into the focus of the seminars and lectures.

Ethical principles, procedures and considerations in the implementation of psychological assessment and use of results will be analysed and debated against the backdrop of the historical heritage and contemporary advancements in the ethical regulations of the psychology profession in South Africa and other developing and developed countries.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. appraise the theory and practice of psychological assessment.
2. conduct psychological assessment in various contexts.
3. interpret assessment results and report findings.
4. discuss the ethical regulations and principles of psychological assessment
5. apply an integrated approach to assessment encompassing the application of psychometric and qualitative methods, techniques and tools.

Within semester assessment: 40% + Exam: 60%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Psychology - South Africa