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Human Services

Psychometrist

Real-Life Activities

Real-Life Communication -- Solution

Based on the information you have, your list of the pros and cons of using integrity tests would look something like this:

Pros

  • A lot of people lie on job application tests, even those you wouldn't think would
  • Even small amounts of theft, if done by enough people, can add up to a lot of money
  • The correct application of integrity tests could save employers money if theft is rampant

Cons

  • The cost of testing could be more than the amount of the theft
  • Polygraph (lie detector) integrity tests may be illegal if used to hire someone
  • How much dishonesty is tolerable before you fire someone?
  • People might not answer truthfully, but instead give the answer they think you are looking for (they are trying to cheat on the test)
  • People might not want to take the test

Being able to read and interpret information is important in this position. Psychometrists often have to analyze information similar to the above example.

Barry Spinner consults in human resource-based psychometrics. He thinks communication skills are necessary for all psychometrists.

"The results of their work have to be documented and they may have to explain their work to people who are not statistically sophisticated. In addition, psychometrists are frequently involved with administering, scoring and interpreting psychological tests. Administering tests and explaining their results would both require good communication skills," says Spinner.