TitleCurrent developments and future directions in computerized personality assessment
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1985
AuthorsButcher, JN, Keller, LS, Bacon, SF
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume53
Number6
Pagination803-815
Publication Languageeng
Accession Number00004730-198512000-00007
Abstract

Although computer applications in personality assessment have burgeoned rapidly in recent years, the majority of these uses capitalize on the computer's speed, accuracy, and memory capacity rather than its potential for the development of new, flexible assessment strategies. A review of current examples of computer usage in personality assessment reveals wide acceptance of automated clerical tasks such as test scoring and even test administration. The computer is also assuming tasks previously reserved for expert clinicians, such as writing narrative interpretive reports from test results. All of these functions represent automation of established assessment devices and interpretive strategies. The possibility also exists of harnessing some of the computer's unique adaptive capabilities to alter standard devices and even develop new ones. Three proposed strategies for developing computerized adaptive personality tests are described, with the conclusion that the computer's potential in this area justifies a call for further research efforts., (C) 1985 by the American Psychological Association