Correct psychological assessment and testing is the first step towards a successful psychological intervention. Although existing psychological assessment and testing methods and instruments are found to be helpful, there is always question about possible bias when applied in minority populations.
There is possibility of individuals from minority cultural and ethnic groups being assessed inappropriately because of possible generalization of the psychological tests.
Many scholars admit existence of cultural bias in psychological assessment and psychological therapies. Addressing cultural bias in psychology, Rogler (1992) noted cultural bias in research methodology, testing and treatment. Addressing psychological assessment and testing, the scholar noted that there was over-generalization of results without considering possible difference across cultures.
Indeed, what is considered healthy differs in one culture to the other. In most cases, however, psychological health is associated with self-confidence, independence, assertiveness and having internal control (Carter, 1991). However, the qualities and characteristics that denote health and normality in majority Whites may not be applicable to clients originating from minority ethnic and cultural groups.
According to Rogler (1992), application of psychological testing to minority groups may lead to negative results that may show the status of minority cultural and ethnic individuals to be undesirable. Carter (1991) noted that cultural bias in psychological assessment and testing can make individuals originating from minority cultural and ethnic groups to seen as less psychologically healthy.
Confirming presence of cultural bias in psychological assessment and testing, Samuda (1998) discussed psychological testing in minority ethnic and cultural groups in the United States. In the discussion, Samuda affirmed that there were clear bias in psychological assessment and testing in use.
Psychological assessment and testing that does not take cultural difference in consideration is not only marginalizing but can also lead to psychological interventions that can harm a client. It is therefore prudent for psychologists to consider cultural background and level of acculturation when applying and interpreting results from psychological assessment and testing.
Appropriate psychological assessment and testing should consider unique features of the culture that a client belongs as well as the mainstream culture (Arredondo & Perez, 2006). For accurate psychological assessment over culture and ethnic minorities, conventional psychological assessment should ether be altered, or new psychological tests that are specific to cultural and ethnic minority developed.
When using conventional psychological tests designed for European American, psychological therapists should take cultural background of their clients into consideration. However, psychological tests designed for specific ethic or cultural group, such as Latin American Stress Test, are most appropriate.
Multicultural competence of a psychologist is an important factor to successful psychological testing and treatment (Arredondo & Perez, 2006). In context of psychological assessment, multicultural competence refers to ability and willingness of a psychologist to consider cultural data throughout the process.
Cultural competence can help psychologists to determine their clients’ level of acculturation, incorporate their client’s culture when interpreting assessment and applying the most appropriate psychological intervention.
Cultural bias in psychological assessment and testing is a significant barrier to successful psychological intervention in minority cultural and ethnic groups. Most of psychological assessment and testing in use are designed with the mainstream European Americans in mind and may not be effective with minority cultural groups.
Multicultural competence and use of psychological tests designed for specific minority ethnic and cultural groups can help in minimizing cultural bias in psychological assessment.
Reference List
Arredondo, P. & Perez, P. (2006). Historical perspectives on the multicultural guidelines and contemporary applications. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(1), 1-5.
Carter, R. (1991). Cultural Values: A Review of Empirical Research and Implications for Counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development 70(1), 164-173
Rogler L. (1992). The role of culture in mental health diagnosis: the need for programmatic research. The Journal of nervous and mental disease 180, 745-747
Samuda, R. (1998). Psychological testing of American minorities: issues and consequences. New York: SAGE