Testing and assessment in an international context: cross- and multi-cultural issues

This chapter reviews the methodological and practical implications for psychological assessment in the field of career guidance. Among the aspects requiring consideration are cross-cultural equivalence or construct, method, and item bias. The authors suggest that, in order to provide non-discriminatory assessment, counsellors require clinical cross-cultural competencies, more specific intervention strategies, and a respect for cultural differences. Suggestions are provided in relation to translation and adaptation of psychological instruments and the development of culture specific measures. The Work Importance Study project is used as an example of testing in an international context and the application of measures developed across cultures.

The volume from which this chapter is taken is indexed at TD/IRD 88.424. Individual chapters are indexed from TD/TNC 96.330 to TD/TNC 96.363.

This chapter reviews the methodological and practical implications for psychological assessment in the field of career guidance. Among the aspects requiring consideration are cross-cultural equivalence or construct, method, and item bias. The authors suggest that, in order to provide non-discriminatory assessment, counsellors require clinical cross-cultural competencies, more specific intervention strategies, and a respect for cultural differences. Suggestions are provided in relation to translation and adaptation of psychological instruments and the development of culture specific ...  [+] Show more