COGNITIVE AND PERSONALITY TESTS

1. Knowledge and Understanding (Dublin Descriptor 1)

The course aims to provide students with fundamental theoretical and methodological knowledge relating to psychological testing, with particular reference to the measurement of cognitive abilities and personality. The principles of psychological measurement, the characteristics of tests, the main procedures for test construction, standardization and evaluation of the quality of instruments, and the criteria for their use in different professional contexts will be explored in depth. Particular attention will be devoted to cognitive and intelligence tests and personality tests, including self-report questionnaires, psychopathological inventories, instruments for the assessment of pathological traits, and the main narrative and projective techniques. The main applications of tests in clinical, developmental, educational, school, organizational and neuropsychological contexts will also be presented.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding (Dublin Descriptor 2)

At the end of the course, the student will be able to recognize the main characteristics of cognitive and personality tests, understand their purposes and general methods of use, and interpret their main psychometric information. The student will also be able to distinguish different types of instruments in relation to the construct assessed, the type of performance required, the characteristics of the reference population and the professional context, identifying the main criteria for an informed choice of instrument.

3. Making Judgements (Dublin Descriptor 3)

The student will develop the ability to critically evaluate the characteristics and suitability of the main cognitive and personality tests, considering reliability, validity, standardization, characteristics of the normative sample, purpose and context of use. Through practical examples and activities, including the consultation and direct exploration of some tests, the student will be guided to compare different instruments and formulate independent considerations regarding their appropriateness in relation to the construct to be assessed, the person and the professional context.

4. Communication Skills (Dublin Descriptor 4)

The student will acquire the ability to appropriately use the technical and scientific language specific to psychometrics and psychological testing, communicating the main theoretical and methodological concepts of the discipline clearly and coherently. The student will be able to describe the fundamental characteristics of cognitive and personality tests, the main methods of administration and interpretation, and the differences between the various types of instruments and their respective application contexts. Discussion and comparison activities involving examples and instruments will also contribute to developing the ability to present and substantiate one's considerations regarding the selection, characteristics and use of a test.

5. Learning Skills (Dublin Descriptor 5)

The course will contribute to the development of skills necessary for independent learning and for the subsequent in-depth study of topics related to psychological testing, the measurement of cognitive abilities and personality assessment. The student will be guided in the conscious consultation and use of manuals, teaching materials and scientific documentation relating to psychological tests, developing the ability to identify and understand the main information useful for assessing their characteristics, purposes and psychometric qualities. The knowledge and skills acquired will also provide a basis for continuing training in psychodiagnostic disciplines and for further study of the main instruments for the assessment of cognition, personality and psychological functioning in different professional contexts.

The course includes lectures supplemented by interactive, applied and pratical activities, with the aim of fostering the connection between the theoretical foundations of psychometrics and psychological testing and practical knowledge of the main instruments for cognitive and personality assessment.

Lectures will be devoted to the presentation and in-depth exploration of the main theoretical and methodological concepts of psychological testing, with particular attention to the principles of measurement, test construction and calibration procedures, their main psychometric properties, and the criteria guiding their selection and use.

Part of the teaching activity will be devoted to applied examples and exercises, aimed at making the concepts addressed during the lectures concretely understandable.

Students will be guided in the analysis of examples of instruments used in the psychological profession, in reading simple information relating to their psychometric characteristics, and in interpreting examples of scores and results.

The course assumes that students have acquired basic knowledge of psychometrics and research methodology, with particular reference to the principles of psychological measurement, the characteristics of variables and measurement scales, the main psychometric characteristics of instruments, and the foundations of test construction and evaluation.

Such knowledge constitutes the necessary basis for understanding the principles of psychological testing, the characteristics of cognitive and personality tests, the methods for interpreting the main psychometric information, and the criteria for selecting instruments in different application contexts.

Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended, given the presence of pratical activities that will allow students to work directly with some instruments for cognitive and personality assessment and to explore, through practical examples, the content addressed during the lectures. Participation in teaching activities will therefore promote the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical application of the principles of psychological testing and psychometrics.

The course introduces the theoretical and methodological foundations of psychological testing, linking the principles of psychological measurement to the construction, standardization and use of tests in different professional contexts.

The course begins with the contemporary definition of a psychological test, the history of testing, and the main types and classifications of instruments. The principles of the measurement of the mind, the characteristics of test construction, and the main issues relating to their professional use will be addressed.

A central part of the course will be devoted to the measurement of cognitive abilities and intelligence. The main theories of intelligence and the characteristics of intelligence tests will be presented, with particular attention to the scales and instruments most commonly used to assess cognitive abilities. Instruments for the assessment of development and adaptive behavior will also be addressed.

The second fundamental area of the course will concern personality measurement. The main trait theories and self-report questionnaires, multidimensional personality and psychopathology inventories, and instruments aimed at assessing pathological personality traits will be analyzed. The main techniques based on inkblots and narrative tests will also be presented.

The course will also consider the use of tests in the diagnostic process and in the main professional fields. Applications of tests in the assessment of anxiety and depression, specific learning disorders, school and university guidance, personnel selection, and neuropsychological assessment will therefore be presented.

Particular attention will be devoted to the relationship between the characteristics of the instrument, the objectives of the assessment, the reference population and the professional context, fostering the ability to critically select and use psychological tests and to recognize their potential and limitations.

Furthermore, the course will contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The topics covered are particularly connected to the following goals:

Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being. Through the acquisition of knowledge relating to the measurement of cognitive characteristics, personality and psychological functioning and the use of valid and reliable psychometric instruments, the course contributes to the development of skills aimed at scientifically grounded psychological assessment and the promotion of psychological health and well-being.

Goal 4 – Quality Education. The course contributes to the development of scientific and methodological skills in psychological testing, promoting the ability to understand, evaluate and critically use instruments for measuring cognitive abilities, personality and other psychological characteristics, fostering the development of applied skills through practical activities.

Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities. The course promotes greater awareness of the importance of using psychometric instruments that are valid, reliable, standardized and appropriate to the characteristics of the people being assessed. Knowledge of the principles of test construction, standardization and interpretation contributes to a fairer and more informed assessment, reducing the risk of inappropriate interpretations of results.

Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The course contributes to the development of a culture of responsibility, scientific integrity and ethical use of psychological assessment instruments, including in contexts in which test results may have significant consequences for individuals, such as organizational and forensic settings. Knowledge of the methodological and ethical principles underlying test application promotes transparent, responsible professional practices that respect the rights of individuals undergoing assessment.

1. Di Nuovo, S (2017). Misurare la mente. I test cognitivi e di personalità. Laterza, Bari-Roma (for the course, only Chapters 1 and 2 are included).
2. Pezzuti, L., Lauriola, M. (eds.) (2025). Conoscere i test psicologici. Principi, applicazioni, contesti professionali. Carocci.

Assessment of learning will take place through an oral examination, aimed at verifying the achievement of the expected learning outcomes. The interview will focus on the main thematic areas of the syllabus and will make it possible to assess knowledge of the foundations of psychological measurement and testing, understanding of the principles of test construction, calibration and evaluation, as well as knowledge of the main characteristics of cognitive and personality tests. Simple applied situations or examples relating to psychometric instruments may also be proposed, aimed at verifying the ability to connect the characteristics of a test to the objectives of the assessment and to critically interpret the information available.

The final grade will be expressed on a scale of thirty. The assessment criteria will be as follows:

1. Theoretical understanding of the content (40%).

Assesses mastery of the foundations of psychological measurement and testing, the principles of test construction, calibration and evaluation, as well as knowledge of the characteristics and purposes of the main cognitive and personality tests.

2. Clarity of presentation and mastery of disciplinary terminology (25%).

Concerns the ability to present the course content clearly, coherently and rigorously, using appropriate technical and scientific terminology and demonstrating mastery of the language specific to psychometrics and psychological testing.

3. Ability to apply knowledge (25%).

Measures the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to reading and understanding the characteristics of cognitive and personality tests, assessing their main psychometric properties, and selecting an instrument in relation to the objectives of the assessment. The ability to understand and discuss simple examples relating to test scores, results and psychometric characteristics will also be considered.

4. Personal elaboration and critical thinking (10%).

Assesses the ability to establish connections between the different topics of the course, to critically compare cognitive and personality instruments, and to formulate independent considerations regarding the appropriateness and use of psychological tests in different application contexts.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata - Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their Department.

1. What is meant by a psychological test and what are the main characteristics that distinguish it from other assessment instruments?
2. What are the main stages of test construction and calibration?
3. What is the difference between true score and measurement error?
4. What is meant by test reliability and why is it important?
5. What is meant by the validity of a psychometric instrument?
6. What is meant by test standardization and what function do norms serve?
7. What are the main theories of intelligence and how have they influenced the construction of cognitive tests?
8. What are the main characteristics of intelligence scales?
9. What are the main cognitive domains that can be assessed through psychological tests?
10. What is meant by a personality trait and what are the main methods used to measure it?
11. What are the main characteristics of personality self-report questionnaires?
12. What are multidimensional personality and psychopathology inventories?
13. What are the main characteristics of tests for assessing pathological personality traits?
14. What are the main characteristics of the Rorschach test and other inkblot-based techniques?
15. What are narrative tests and what are their main characteristics?
16. What are the main differences between cognitive tests and personality tests?
17. Compare two psychological assessment instruments in relation to the construct assessed, psychometric characteristics, purposes and areas of application.