Defend your preference in terms of the methods used within each theory and how they apply to concepts of fairness across groups. Essentially, how does it best address test fairness?

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Beyond Bias: Methods for Fairness in Testing

In the unit readings from your Psychological Testing and Assessment text, you read about misconceptions regarding test bias and test fairness—two terms that are often incorrectly considered synonymous. While questions regarding test bias have been addressed through technical means, issues with test fairness are tied to values. The text attempts to define test fairness in a psychometric context and provides eight techniques for preventing or remedying adverse impact on one or another group (see page 209). One of these techniques included differential cutoffs. Furthermore, you were introduced to a variety of methods for setting cut scores. These methods have been based on either CTT or IRT.

For this discussion, synthesize the information you learned about these two theories and respective methods. In your post:

  • Determine which one is preferential for responding to questions about a test’s fairness.
  • Identify at least two advantages and two disadvantages in using each theory, citing appropriate American Educational Research Association (AERA) standards from your readings.
  • Defend your preference in terms of the methods used within each theory and how they apply to concepts of fairness across groups. Essentially, how does it best address test fairness?
  • Describe how advances in technology are improving the process of test development and inclusion of appropriate items.

Describe the content that should appear in a well-written informed consent form for a research study. Why is it important to obtain informed consent?

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Answer the following questions covering material from Ch. 1–5 of Methods in Behavioral Research:

 

1. A researcher is interested in studying the effects of different levels of distraction—none, low, and high—on scores on a test of visual memory. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three conditions: no distraction, low distraction, or high distraction. All participants engage in a test of visual memory. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? What is the purpose of random assignment to groups? What is the purpose of random assignment to groups?

 

2. Define theory and explain its function. How does theory relate to the practice of psychology?

 

3. Define hypothesis and provide an example.

 

4. Describe the content that should appear in a well-written informed consent form for a research study. Why is it important to obtain informed consent? What are the three principles outlined by the Belmont Report? What additional concerns do you have (if any) when obtaining consent from a minor?

 

5. What is the function of an institutional review board?

 

6. What is an operational definition of a variable? How might the variable sense of humor be defined operationally? (2 points)

 

7. Complete Table 4.1 on p. 72 of the text. For each of the eight examples listed, determine whether a positive, negative, or curvilinear relationship exists.

 

8. Define reliability as it relates to measurement of behavior.

 

9. Define and describe scales of measurement.

 

10. What is the difference between construct validity, internal validity, and external validity?

 

11. What is the difference between correlation and causation? How are third variables controlled for?

Which of the following is a potential threat to effective interviewing?

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Week 2 Quiz

Read each question and select the correct answer.

1. Susie has never felt comfortable with her therapist. While she has no reason for her feelings, she is easily angered by his questions and feels as though he is judging her. Susie has often thought that the therapist reminds her of her father. This is a case of

a. An ego defense mechanism

b. Countertransference

c. Transference

d. Insight

2. Choose the correct development process for Freud’s mental structures.

a. Id, superego, ego

b. Ego, superego, id

c. Ego, id, superego

d. Id, ego, superego

3. Choose the example of operant conditioning.

a. Anxiety when an abusive person walks into the room

b. Hesitance to touch a light switch because of previous shocks

c. Children rising from their seats to go outside when a bell rings

d. Improvement in writing skills from praise and positive coaching

4. Choose the example of classical conditioning.

a. Continuing to play the slot machine after hitting a small jackpot

b. Staying on a diet

c. Walking out of an elevator when the door opens, regardless of the floor

d. Driving the speed limit after getting a ticket

5. An effective interviewing behavior during an assessment includes the following.

a. Paraphrasing

b. Confirming

c. Probing

d. Silence

6. Which of the following is a multicultural issue for any of the psychological instruments customarily used in the United States?

a. Level of acculturation

b. Preconceived notions

c. Theoretical orientation

d. Distortion of information

7. One of the common concerns associated with IQ testing is that

a. a wide variety of human behaviors is being measured

b. a person’s performance is compared against others’ performances

c. testing is used to learn about cognitive strengths and weaknesses

d. there is a possibility of racial bias

8. Larry is a single, 40-year-old male who runs his own business. Lately, he feels tired all the time, lacks motivation and appetite, and is not enthusiastic about anything. Based on his symptoms, which type of interview is most appropriate to use?

a. Termination

a. Crisis

b. Mental status

c. Diagnostic

9. Which of the following is a potential threat to effective interviewing?

a. Time of day

b. Interviewer bias

c. Structured interviews

d. Self-monitoring

10. Examples of objective personality tests include all but this test.

a. MMPI

b. Rorschach

c. MMPI- 2

d. Sixteen Personality Factors

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How does the opponent-process theory explain why drug addiction is so difficult to break?  With this understanding, what can a person do to affect their emotions in a way that helps them break their addiction?

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Opponent-Process Theory

The opponent-process theory suggests that we often experience emotions in opposing pairs such as fear and relief or pleasure and pain. When we experience one end of the spectrum, the other end is temporarily suppressed and thus we rarely experience the two at the same time. However, there are times when we experience both emotions before the first emotion fades. When this happens, the experience can be uncomfortable or even strangely enjoyable.

A good example of this process is skydiving, which was the basis of the primary research into this theory. When a person skydives for the very first time, the jump elicits high levels of fear and relatively low levels of pleasure, even upon landing. However, as the skydiver gains more experience, the level of fear decreases while pleasure increases. Often, the skydiver feels both at the same time, resulting in high levels of excitement.

Another example is shopping and the guilt that often follows. For example, a woman finds a new dress that she loves but not having the money, she charges the new dress. She immediately feels excitement and pleasure with her new purchase. However, soon after getting home, she begins to feel guilt for charging a dress that she wanted, but did not really need.

Now, read the following article:

Based on your analysis of the article, explain in detail how the opponent-process theory works. Be sure to address the following:

  • How does the opponent-process theory explain why drug addiction is so difficult to break?
  • With this understanding, what can a person do to affect their emotions in a way that helps them break their addiction?

Write your initial response in 3–4 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.