Psychological assessment and public policy.

Reviews the nature and purposes of psychological assessment and the training and qualifications necessary to administer such services. Problems requiring careful attention in assessment include: (a) the protection of the individual from unwarranted inferences, (b) unfavorable evaluations based on obsolete information, and (c) unnecessary invasion of privacy. Standards to determine adequacy of assessment should be compatible with research requirements. Special problems of personality testing are discussed, including the more indirect nature of the behavior sampled and special considerations of privacy requirements. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)