Page 382 - Understanding Psychology

Figure 13.17 Approaches to Reducing Test Anxiety
Many people worry about taking any kind of test. When someone comes to a psychologist complaining of test anxiety, the psychologist may approach the problem in a variety of ways, depending on his or her theoretical orientation. How would a behaviorist attempt to reduce testing anxiety?
Approach Solution
Biological (focus on physiological arousal, i.e. sweaty palms)
Cognitive (focus on thinking/excessive worrying)
Behavioral (focus on actual behaviors)
Psychoanalytic (focus on personality problems that underlie bad study habits)
Humanistic (focus on conscious beliefs and perceptions)
Sociocultural (focus on influence of culture and ethnicity)
Source: Adapted from Plotnik, 1999.
Reduce anxiety through stress-reducing activities
Channel worry into studying
Increase study time by selecting a good place to study, rewarding yourself for studying, keeping a record of your study time, establishing priorities, specifying time for specific tasks
Work to change personality characteristics, such as procrastination
Teachers work with students so that students develop feelings of competence and reach their full potential
Students from different cultures have different val- ues and resources; work to understand differences and similarities
It is important to note that personality tests, as with aptitude, achieve- ment, interest, and intelligence tests, are just one tool that a psychologist can use to evaluate a person’s psychological state. A conscientious psychologist should pair testing with other evidence gained through interviews and obser- vation before drawing any conclusions or making any diagnoses.
1. Review the Vocabulary What is the difference between objective and pro- jective tests?
2. Visualize the Main Idea Using a chart similar to the one below, identify the characteristics of the Rorschach inkblot test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
3. Recall Information How does the CPI differ from the MMPI? How does the CPI differ from the Myers-Briggs test?
4. Think Critically What are the advan- tages and disadvantages of using objec- tive personality tests versus projective personality tests?
5. Application Activity
Choose two personality traits. Develop several test questions that you
think would assess these traits. Discuss and evalu- ate your questions with your classmates.
Name of Test Characteristics
Rorschach test
Thematic Apperception Test
Assessment
368 Chapter 13 / Psychological Testing