Psychological Testing in the Correctional Institution— Another Viewpoint

In recent years individual tests of intelligence and personality drawn from clinical settings have increasingly supplemented tests of vocational aptitude, educational achievement, and group in telligence generally employed in correction. Some observers view this trend with alarm, criticizing clinical tests constructed for use in schools, clinics, and hospitals as inappropriate for the correctional field. More specifically, these tests have been op posed as time-consuming and yielding little relevant information. These criticisms, however, appear undeserved. Indeed, apart from time-saving advantages, individually administered tests of fer many additional benefits over group tests in diagnostic eval uation. Extensive experience in a state diagnostic agency for juvenile offenders amply demonstrates that individually admin istered tests of intelligence and personality can contribute sub stantially to the differentiated assessment of the delinquent and to the decisions which must be made about him.