Estimates of the validity of random short forms can serve as benchmarks against which to appraise the validity of particular short forms. Formulas are presented for estimating the validity of random short forms and illustrated with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory data. (Author/CM)

Cognitive component research on aptitudes has shown that performance on test items depends on a series of processing events. Each processing component potentially defines a separate construct that contributes to item and subject differences in performance. This article presents the multicomponent latent trait model for measuring these component…

Examined the hypothesis that deficits in interpersonal and problem-solving skills are significantly related to nonclinical depression. A behavioral role-playing measure of competence in male college students--the Problem Inventory for College Students--was developed and tested. Results provided partial support for the hypothesized relationship…

A disqualification is a message that says something "without really saying it"--one that is evasive, indirect, or effectively ambiguous in some other way. This article describes the rationale for, and development of, an objective method for measuring the degree of disqualification in brief written messages. (PD)

Bayesian techniques are adapted to the estimation of stimulus-response curves. Illustrative examples deal with estimation of person characteristic curves and item characteristic curves in the context of mental testing, and with estimation of a stimulus-response curve using data from a psychophysical experiment. (Author/JKS)

Howard's Maze test and Maw and Maw's Which-to-Discuss test were individually administered to 25 educable mentally retarded junior high school students. Although the internal consistency of both tests was acceptably high, scores were essentially unrelated to a host of demographic and other types of variables. (Author)

Assessed correspondence between the Carkhuff and the Truax scales for empathy. Undergraduates responded to nine simulated client statements. An overall correlation of .89 was found. Interrater reliabilities for both scales were high. Degree of correspondence between scales varied with the content-affect characteristics of the simulated client…

The major impediment to an understanding of human intelligence is the fragmented way it is studied. An orientation is suggested which integrates various aspects of the study of human intelligence. If this approach is adopted, intelligence tests will be an integral part of a systematic theory of knowledge acquisition. (Author/RD)

Logical estimates of item difficulty made by judges were compared to empirical estimates derived from a test administration. Results indicated substantial correspondence between logical and empirical estimates, and substantial variation among judges. Further, the more elaborate the system used by judges to make estimates, the more accurate the…

Item level differences between a type of constructed response item (figural response) and comparable multiple choice items in the domain of architecture were studied. Data from 120 architects and architecture students show that item level differences in difficulty correspond to differences in cognitive processing requirements and that relations…

A study of 83 people working in the field of autism evaluated the psychometric properties of the Autism Survey, an instrument to assess respondents' knowledge about autism. The survey was found to measure one factor, to be stable across time, and to have an internally consistent total score. (Author/CR)

Designs and evaluates a multidimensional schema for the assessment of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use topology. Findings illustrate the value of multidimensional assessment for identifying youth at high risk for substance use disorder (SUD) as well as for elucidating the factors contributing to the transition to suprathreshold SUD. (Contains…