Automation of psychological testing.

Programed the WAIS for automated administration to illustrate the usefulness of automated systems in providing psychological testing service to patients. The system can automatically administer the Block Design, Picture Arrangement, and Object Assembly subtests, measure the time each test item requires, and print out the seconds on a teletype machine. 35 male and female Ss were tested in a counterbalanced order on the 3 subtests under face-to-face testing procedures, and automated testing. Results indicate a high correlation in the scores obtained in the 2 methods. A higher mean Performance IQ was obtained with face-to-face testing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Current practice of psychological assessment.

A survey was conducted to evaluate current psychological testing practice in acute care inpatient settings. Findings indicated that psychologists typically continue to use the standard test battery developed by Rapaport, Gill, and Schafer in the 1940s. We outline an alternative problem-oriented approach to assessment that seems better suited for short-term care settings. In this model the primary assessment strategy emphasizes rapid assessment of symptoms and problem areas rather than comprehensive personality assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intelligence testing: Status and trends.

A large number of new or revamped individually administered intelligence tests have been published in the past 2 decades. This article begins by describing the development status of 3 categories of intelligence tests: psychometric-ability instruments, neuropsychologically based instruments, and dynamic assessments, with particular attention to issues that require additional research. It then considers how these categories of tests lend themselves to educational applications. Finally, the article describes recent basic and applied research findings that may influence how intelligence tests continue to evolve. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching psychological testing to psychiatric residents.

Psychologists can help alleviate the disenchantment with testing by participating in the training of psychiatric residents. Such training should familiarize residents with the basic principles of testing to help them become sophisticated consumers of the psychologist's consultative service rather than test practitioners themselves. This introduction of testing to residents must take into account their specific educational needs, especially the difficulties they have in learning psychological constructs early in their career, due to the physicalistic orientation of their former training. Of equal importance to teaching the principles of assessment is the elucidation of the collaborative diagnostic effort as an interpersonal process with opportunities for cooperation or interdisciplinary friction. The landmarks and pitfalls encountered during the collaborative diagnostic process involving psychologist and psychiatrist are outlined as crucial issues to be covered in training to help foster improved teamwork between the 2 disciplines. The sources of political friction that can arise when psychologists train psychiatrists are discussed. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Medication development and testing in children and adolescents. Current problems, future directions

Progress in pediatric psychopharmacological research has suffered notable delay, especially compared with the achievements in adult psychopharmacology. Although safety and efficacy of the use of many psychotropic agents in children remain largely unproved, their pediatric use has been increasing and their widespread off-label prescribing by practitioners has raised some important concerns. The National Institute of Mental Health, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration and leading researchers, has coordinated systematic efforts to identify the major obstacles to research in pediatric psychopharmacology and to propose feasible solutions. In 1995, a conference cosponsored by the national Institute of Mental Health and the Food and Drug Administration gathered more than 100 research experts, family and patient advocates, and representatives of mental health professional associations. Participants met in working groups focused on specific aspects of child research and reached consensus on various recommendations. Each of the various aspects relevant to conducting research in this area (methodological, ethical, legal, regulatory, financial, and family or community context) presents specific challenges, which are herein outlined. Recommendations for possible solutions are presented, some of which are being implemented. Because data about drug safety and efficacy in adults can rarely be extrapolated to children, there is no substitute for pediatric psychopharmacological research. Successful strategies for overcoming the many obstacles with which this research has to contend must enlist the concerted efforts of all the relevant parties (investigators, clinicians, industry, federal agencies, ethicists, families, and community representatives).     

Current trends and issues in adaptation-level theory.

"Adaptation levels appear as neutral or indifferent zones in bipolar responses… . Adaptation levels are revealed in all forms of behavior whether they are sensory, motor, or cognitive verbal in nature… . We have found that the weighted log mean definition of AL [Adaptation Level] is the best approximation to the neutral or indifferent region for sensory magnitudes." Studies indicating current trends that bear on fundamental issues in AL theory are considered under the following headings: Anchoring Effects of Subliminal Stimuli; Residual Effects of Anchors in Memory and Recall; Series Effects with an Absolute, Extraexperimentally Anchored Language; Neutral Zones in Unexpected Places; Assimilation and Contrast in Sensory and Social-judgmental Processes; The Methodological Importance for Social Psychology of Studies Leading to Functional Relations Between Variables; and An Adaptation-level for Reinforcement and Performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practical and ethical issues in teaching psychological testing.

The use of children and adults as "practice" subjects in psychological testing courses raises practical and ethical concerns. Surveys examined how instructors of beginning child and adult testing courses handled these concerns. Instructors relied primarily on classmates and on client volunteers as practice subjects, but nearly one-third also included testing of child or adult clients. Recruitment, consent, supervision, feedback, and data handling procedures were examined. Ethical problems reported most frequently involved feedback, competency and preparation of students, and access to appropriate practice subjects. These findings guide recommendations for protecting the rights and well-being of individuals who contribute to training efforts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictive validity of psychological testing in law enforcement settings.

This study reports the relation between scores on psychological tests and subsequent law enforcement officer performance. 69 officers were administered the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI; R. Inwald, H. Knatz, and L. Shusman, 1983) and the MMPI while in training. One year later subjective and objective job performance data were collected. Analyses indicated that the subjective and some of the objective indicators of performance were related to both MMPI and IPI subscales; the IPI subscales generally exhibited stronger relations. These results suggest that psychological functioning as measured by these personality inventories may be useful for identifying potential officers who will evidence poorer job performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computerized psychological testing: Overview and critique.

We present an overview and a critique of computerized psychological testing and assessment. Emphasis is placed on describing computer testing systems currently in place, discussing considerations (factors) in developing a computerized psychological testing system, examining the research on potential benefits and problems associated with computerized psychological testing, and discussing the need for the adoption of a set of guidelines, both scientific and ethical, for computerized psychological testing. We conclude that computerized psychological testing systems have the potential of being practical, cost-effective, and psychometrically sound means of assessing individuals. The potential of computerized psychological testing can be realized if proper considerations are made in designing, developing, and implementing these testing systems, and if professional standards (guidelines) are adhered to by computer test service providers and users. Before the adoption of computerized psychological testing becomes widespread, a number of serious issues deserve the attention of professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identity conflicts and the decline of psychological testing.

Discusses the evolution of clinical psychology in relation to the formation of a professional identity, the redefinition of the diagnostic role of psychologists relative to psychiatrists, and the declining importance of testing as a professional function because of its association with a subordinate role. It is suggested that psychologists who are interested and experts in diagnostic assessment should hold themselves out as consultants; implications of this new role for clinical education and for the evaluation of test results are discussed. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the teaching of psychological tests and testing.

The nature of undergraduate courses involving psychological testing "deserve close study and scrutiny, with a view to self-imposed discipline and improved standards, with respect both to the teaching of psychology as part of a liberal education and to the development of psychology to a high professional level." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recreational drugs. Current trends in the 90s

Recreational drug use continues to be prevalent in many social settings. These drugs are alleged to enhance sociability and liberate inhibitions, allowing the user to experience feelings of euphoria. This article reviews recreational drugs that have gained notoriety in the 1990s including gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), flunitrazepam, and amphetamine analogues such as 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA). Topics discussed include history, drug use and misuse, clinical presentation and treatment, and laboratory analysis.     

The challenge of competence and creativity in computerized psychological testing.

Discusses issues concerning guidelines of competent practice unique to computerized test administration and interpretation and recent efforts at formalizing guidelines in official professional standards. Problems of establishing validity and normative data for computerized tests, especially by demonstrating the equivalence of computerized and conventional administration, are outlined in the context of a discussion of the literature investigating sources of nonequivalence. Prospects are raised for creative development of entirely new kinds of tests and new models for representing individual differences. Guidelines for innovators concerning validity and adverse impact are restated. (57 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Current trends in 'artificial-nose' technology

Basic principles derived from biological olfaction, such as combining semiselective sensor arrays with pattern recognition, have been used to develop instrumentation capable of broad-band chemical detection and quantification. Commercially available instruments are useful in areas including quality control in the food, beverage and fragrance industries, environmental monitoring, chemical-purity and -mixture analysis, and medical diagnostics. Ongoing research is aimed at the development of more-advanced instruments that are smaller, cheaper, faster and more stable and reliable. These second-generation instruments are likely to find an increasing number of applications, including the on-line monitoring of fermentation and other bioprocesses.     

Current trends in modern orthokeratology

This article reviews current knowledge on the effect of testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC) on gonadal function and of the cancer treatment on spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function. It seems likely that development of TGCC shares common etiological factors with development other types of testicular dysfunction. This suggestion is supported by the observation that men with various types of gonadal dysfunction such as testicular dysgenesis, androgen insensitivity syndrome, and cryptorchidism have increased risk of testicular cancer. Epidemiological and clinical data indicate common etiology between testicular germ cell cancer and other abnormalities in male reproductive health such as infertility and cryptorchidism. These observations are in agreement with the suggestions of hormonal involvement in the etiology of testicular cancer. It is well documented that testicular cancer is associated with impaired spermatogenic function and some patients have impairment of Leydig's cell function already before orchidectomy. The degree of spermatogenic dysfunction is higher than what can be explained by local tumor effect and by a general cancer effect. These observations are supported by histological investigations, which have shown a high prevalence of abnormalities of spermatogenesis in the contralateral testis in patients with unilateral TGCC. The spermatogenetic function is still severely impaired after orchidectomy and radiotherapy as well as chemotherapy induce further dose-dependent impairment of spermatogenesis. Recovery of spermatogenesis after treatment may be long, in some patients lasting more than 5 years. Sufficient androgen production is seen in the majority of the patients but some patients do suffer from testosterone deficiency. The effect of chemotherapy on Leydig's cell function seems to be dose dependent. Trials on protection of spermatogenetic function against the harmful effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy by suppression of spermatogenesis has not been successful. The only way to maintain fertility is to limit gonadal exposure to harmful agents. Moreover cryopreservation of semen should be done before treatment. The optimal time for cryopreservation is before orchiectomy at least in some patients. Generally men with TGCC need counselling about their reproductive function, with respect to semen cryopreservation, chance for recovery of spermatogenesis, fertility, and the possibility of need for androgen replacement.     

Behavioral and psychological responses to HIV antibody testing.

The development of tests to identify the antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has made it possible to diagnose infection with the virus prior to the development of physical symptoms. The introduction of these tests raises questions regarding the effects of informing individuals that they have been infected with a fatal virus and the usefulness of antibody testing in promoting behaviors that would reduce the spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Research that has examined changes in psychological distress and in behaviors associated with HIV infection among individuals who have undergone antibody testing is reviewed. Methodological issues encountered in studying behavioral and psychological responses to antibody testing are identified, and directions for future research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)