Computer-Assisted Testing and the Goals of Counseling Psychology

Abstract

This article explores how the use of computer-assisted testing and assessment can potentially contribute to the goals of counseling psychology. The following five trends in computer applications in testing and assessment are analyzed in relation to five goals of counseling psychology: (1) computer-based test interpretation (goals of remediation and rehabilitation, and serving diverse populations); (2) computer-assisted instruction (goals of remediation and rehabilitation, and education and development); (3) integration of audio-visual media (goals of prevention and serving diverse populations); (4) adaptive devices (goal of serving diverse populations); and (5) computer-assisted research (goal of research). The necessary commitment of human and financial resources, research priorities, and ethical issues are then discussed as issues that will influence the extent to which computer-assisted testing can contribute to the goals of counseling psychology.