Psychological Assessment Tools: A Comprehensive Overview

A psychological assessment is a test given by a professional, such as a therapist or psychologist, to assess the functionality, behavior, intelligence quotient or personality of an individual using a variety of techniques and tools. There are many different assessments used for an array of studies. A psychologist could use an assessment to measure the IQ of an unusually bright child or of the mental capacity of a mentally handicapped patient.

Myers-Briggs Test

• One tool used for studying personality types is the Myers-Briggs test. The Myers-Briggs Indicator has been used since 1943. It involves a series of questions that are continually being modified to fit a more exact personality type. Psychologists can use the answers from this test to better understand a patient before treatment. There are 16 possible types with acronym titles. For example, an ISFP stands for Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving.

Halstead-Reitan Battery

• The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery is a series of eight tests used to evaluate brain and nervous system functioning in an individual. Tools used in the Halstead-Reitan Battery are printed geometric shapes to determine certain brain principles. Cut-out foam or wooden shapes are used to assess sensory memory. Tape recorded sounds are used to evaluate auditory attention and concentration in the Seashore Test. Using a variety of tools to assess mental functionality is common in psychology.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

• The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, or WAIS, is a test designed to assess the IQ of adults, from age 16 years and older. Like other psychological tests, the WAIS uses a variety of tools, including printed pictures, blocks, jigsaw puzzles, patterns and questions that involve reading, comprehension and arithmetic to determine the intelligence of a given person. While the written questions are used to evaluate general knowledge, the puzzles, patterns and blocks are used to determine other abilities, such as visual perception and nonverbal reasoning.