Get to grips with the debate around the historical epistemological origins of psychometric assessment
A thoughtful look at the history of psychological assessment
While there have been significant developments in the technical aspects of assessing mental functioning, there is still much to be debated about the motivations and meanings of measuring the mind. How can mental faculties be objectified and what influence does subjectivity have on the object being measured and the mind measuring it? What are the consequences of quantifying complex and interdependent functions and scaling these measurements for psychometric instruments?
The contributors of this edited volume explore these questions by adopting a historical and epistemological approach to consider how psychometric assessment was born and developed within the affirmation of psychology as an empirical science. Chapters explore the birth of the scientific approach, as well as different assessment methods of cognitive abilities and personality traits, and the development of new technologies that support psychological evaluation and its applications in educational and rehabilitative fields.
This book is of interest to researchers of human behavior as well as practicing psychologists and psychiatrists who want to deepen their understanding of the historical and epistemological roots of psychological assessment.
Praise for the book
“Kant asserts that “the most important object in the world to which man can apply knowledge and skill is man.” This well-structured book helps expert and non-expert readers interpret science’s many attempts to understand and explain our psychology and nature.”
Mauro Di Giandomenico, PhD, Inter-University Center for the History of Sciences, University of Bari, Italy
“This volume provides a much-needed up-to-date analysis of the historical roots and modern developments of cognitive assessment methods, grounded on sound epistemological theories. It also discusses the role and opportunities of emerging technologies, and so enriches interdisciplinary readers with novel perspectives in psychological assessment and rehabilitation.”
Angelo Cangelosi, PhD, School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, UK