NCJ Number
85688
Date Published
1982
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This discussion of psychological assessments for offender classification considers perspectives of psychological assessment, common classification instruments, and special classification problems.
Abstract
At their best, psychological tests and procedures can provide valuable indicators of a correctional client's abilities, aptitudes, and personality attributes. Such information can be useful in educational and vocational programming, in diagnosing special problems, and in treatment programs. Areas of testing consist of intelligence testing, ability tests, aptitude and interest measures, and personality assessments. In intelligence testing, IQ scores should be treated as general indicators of mental capacity, not as precise measures; they can prove useful in placing offenders in broad categories. For best results, achievement tests should be administered to motivated correctional clients as part of mutual planning processes for educational programming. Aptitude tests and interest inventories are valuable aids in vocational counseling with juvenile and adult clients. It is important, however, to evaluate the results of such testing in the context of other factors, such as the availability of training or employment in high-aptitude or high-interest occupations, educational deficiencies, etc. Personality assessment can be used for screening, treatment planning, or diagnosis. Such testing should be done only by trained staff psychologists in testing are diagnosing mental retardation, learning disabilities, or organic brain damage. The names and addresses of test publishers and distributors are listed, and 16 references and 6 footnotes are provided.