Most social communication tests used to measure change in young children with autism spectrum disorder have not undergone rigorous psychometric evaluation. Notably, and most relevant to the early intervention literature, there is little information on the sensitivity of these measures to change over time, despite their frequent use. Further, most…

The criterion-related validity of divergent thinking (DT) tests has been questioned because of relatively low correlations between DT test scores and creative performance. A possible inhibiting factor in previous correlations--heterogeneity of the sample--has been ignored. If groups with different DT profiles are involved in this line of research,…

A twin-based analysis of personality inventory scales yields information relevant to construct validity. Criteria for construct validity derived from adolescent twin statistics are illustrated with Wiggins' MMPI Content Scales. A type of discriminant validity indicates that some scales are not distinct in terms of influences of familial…

Employed the Personal Health Survey (PHS) to study patterns of symptomology related to physical and mental health in a population of 730 Ss, which consisted of five groups: felons, hospitalized alcoholics, unmarried mothers, college students and institutionalized schizophrenics. (Editor)

Reports on a series of methodological refinements used in developing a systematic rationale for the construction, standardization and interpretation of the Personal Health Survey (PHS), a 200-item questionnaire designed to screen pathological functioning in the psychophysiological support systems that underlie physical and mental health. The PHS…

One approach to increasing our understanding of the rating process is to examine behavioral components of decision-making. Although observable rater behavior during appraisal is still removed from the actual contents of internal processing, these behavioral indices may provide important clues toward identifying determinants of rating success. To…

This study attempts to determine whether the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale is appropriate for use with varying population types, and whether the dimensions identified by it are sufficiently consistent across samples to allow some clarification of the nature of self-concept in children. (AE)

The document, part two of a six part project report, discusses the construction and validation of a three stage model for assessing deviant behavior in children. The model was developed to meet the project's measurement, identification and diagnostic goals. Stage one consists of a 50 item behavior checklist which was used as an initial screening…

The quantitative synthesis of 89 correlations from 16 studies of behavioral ratings and classroom observations suggested significant problems in the areas of the construct of behavioral disorder and criterion-related validity of widely used measures of social behavior. A "components of variance" model is proposed to aid in educational decision…