modern psychometrics

Modern psychometrics is the field that develops and applies statistical methods to measure psychological traits like intelligence, personality, or attitudes. It ensures that assessments, such as tests or questionnaires, are reliable (consistent over time) and valid (accurately measuring what they intend to). Techniques like factor analysis and item response theory help improve the precision and fairness of these measurements. Essentially, psychometrics turns complex human qualities into data, enabling psychologists and researchers to understand, compare, and predict behaviors or abilities with greater accuracy, supporting decision-making in education, mental health, and employment.