PSY FPX 7610 Assessment 1 Evaluation of Test Purpose, Population, and Training for Three Tests

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Capella University

PSY FPX 7610 Tests and Measurements

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Evaluation of Test Purpose, Population, and Training

As an aspiring business consultant in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, understanding the significance of evaluations for testing purposes, population, and training is crucial. This paper examines the intended purpose, population, and training requirements for three distinct assessments frequently used in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O Psychology). The assessments under discussion are the California Psychological Inventory (CPI), Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS), and the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Behavior (FIRO-B). These tools are commonly utilized by Industrial and Organizational Psychologists to assist clients. The paper will identify the uses for the intended population and those qualified to administer these tests, ultimately determining the most reliable among the three. By considering all relevant information, this paper will conclude which assessment is most appropriate and valuable in the I/O Psychology field.

Purpose for Testing and Content, Skills, and/or Constructs Assessed

The first assessment discussed is the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). The CPI measures an individual’s tendency toward or away from involvement with others (Salkind, 2007). It provides an accurate depiction of individuals, estimating their behaviors across various scenarios and measuring normal personality and behavior. The CPI, validated with 480 items and 18 scales, is effective for practical use in diverse situations and takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete (Schludermann & Schludermann, 1970). For a future business consultant, the CPI is a valuable tool to assess clients’ needs and help determine appropriate assignments or departments for different employees. Given the complexities of individual differences, the CPI can guide decisions about where to place individuals within an organization.

The second assessment is the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS). This test is designed to measure self-reported vocational interests and skills (Taylor & Donnelly, 2017). The CISS interest scales reflect an individual’s attraction to specific roles within an organization. Individuals taking this assessment evaluate their interest levels on 200 academic and occupational items (Campbell et al., 1992). The CISS is particularly useful in the I/O psychology profession when human resource professionals need to determine an individual’s attraction to specific occupational areas. It helps place displaced or transitioning employees in suitable positions. In the context of departmental organizations, the CISS is essential for understanding employees’ interests, allowing HR professionals to place them in the most appropriate department.

The final test reviewed is the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Behavior (FIRO-B). This assessment examines interpersonal behaviors and can predict leadership capability and managerial attainment (Ahmetoglu et al., 2010). In organizations with diverse talent pools, it is vital to ensure leadership is free from unconscious biases. The FIRO-B measures interpersonal needs and how they influence communication style and behavior in the workplace (Ditchburn & Brook, 2015). This assessment helps HR professionals and managers improve interpersonal communication skills and address potential issues among workers, which is essential for those specializing in I/O Psychology when working with clients.

Normative Sample, Sampling Procedures, and Intended Population

Normative samples are vital for assessments within organizations. A normative sample establishes norms by comparing individuals’ scores to a reference population (Frey, 2018). The CPI is one of the most commonly used standardized assessments for accurately assessing personality in non-clinical adult populations (Jones & Penskin, 2017). This test is particularly useful for evaluating reactions to situational issues, making it relevant for individuals intending to move into managerial positions.

The CISS, a criterion-referenced test, does not have a normative sample. Its intended population includes individuals seeking to identify their vocational interests and skills (Donnelly, 2009). The relevance of this test to the I/O Psychology field lies in its ability to assist HR managers and business consultants in placing employees in departments where their interests align with their work.

The FIRO-B assessment is designed for clients who wish to understand their interpersonal communication needs with greater insight (Le et al., 2018). It is administered to non-clinical adult populations, representing various norms. This tool is valuable for assessing interpersonal needs within work relationships, helping to prevent issues before they escalate and evaluating progress in addressing unconscious biases.

Test-User Knowledge, Skills, and Training

According to Salkind (2007), the CPI is a level C instrument intended for use by coaches, counselors, psychologists, human resource experts, and others. Accessing and administering the CPI requires being a trained and certified practitioner, holding a degree in psychology or a related discipline, and completing graduate-level coursework. The CPI’s ability to evaluate behaviors across different scenarios and measure normal personality and behavior includes a built-in mechanism to detect test-takers attempting to falsify their responses (Salkind, 2007).

The CISS is administered by individuals taking the assessment, as it measures self-reported vocational interests and skills (Jones & Penskin, 2017). I/O Psychologists, with their expertise in behavioral analysis and cooperative behavior, can observe the self-administered assessment, which is classified as a level A instrument. The CISS aids HR managers and management in understanding employees’ professional interests, making it relevant to the I/O Psychology specialization.

To successfully administer the FIRO-B, the administrator must be a trained and certified practitioner (Le et al., 2018). As a level B instrument, the FIRO-B provides insights into interpersonal needs that can improve workplace interactions. This assessment is particularly relevant to I/O psychologists assessing employees’ needs within the workplace.

Comparisons and Contrasts of the Three Tests

In conclusion, all three assessments are relevant to the I/O Psychology specialization, with the intended population being the adult work population that HR specialists work with daily. It is crucial to evaluate the reliability of each test to determine the most appropriate instrument for a given situation. The CPI, with its multiple scales and good reliability, is an invaluable tool for identifying and developing leaders (Schuldermann & Schuldermann, 1970). The CISS, while useful, has varying reliability due to its self-administered nature, making it less ideal if the client is not hiring for multiple departments (Campbell et al., 1992). The FIRO-B, with excellent reliability, is the most suitable for identifying unconscious biases and improving workplace environments, making it a critical tool for I/O psychologists and HR specialists (Ditchburn & Brooks, 2015).

References

Ahmetoglu, G., Chamorro‐Premuzic, T., & Furnham, A. (2010). Interpersonal Relationship Orientations, Leadership, and Managerial Level: Assessing the practical usefulness of the FIRO‐B in organizations. International journal of selection and assessment, 18(2), 220-225.

Campbell, D.P., Hyne, S.A., & Nilsen, D.L. (1992). Manual for the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey. Minneapolis, MN: NCS Pearson, Inc.

Ditchburn, G., & Brook, E. R. (2015). Cross-cultural adjustment and fundamental interpersonal relations orientation behaviour (FIRO-B). Journal of Global Mobility.

Donnelly, C. (2009). A multi-group structural equation modeling investigation of the measurement invariance of the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS) across gender groups. Doctoral dissertation, Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch.

Frey, B. (2018). The SAGE encyclopedia of educational research, measurement, and evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. 1(4). DOI: 10.4135/9781506326139