Attribute model (in psychological assessment): what it is and how it is used

A summary of the attribute model, explaining how it is applied and how it describes human behavior.

Psychological assessment is the scientific study of a person, or a group of persons. It is a discipline within the field of psychology, which aims to verify whether the general principles of psychology are present in a particular individual.

Within it, we find different models, depending on the variables they study, their theoretical formulation, basic methods used, objectives, fields of application, etc. In this article we will analyze one of them: the attribute model.. We will know its 6 fundamental characteristics and its differences with the rest of models.

Psychological assessment and its 6 models

The models that have served as the basis for the psychological evaluation of the individual are the following are these:

• Attribute model (or psychometric model)
• Dynamic model
• Medical model
• Behavioral model
• Cognitive model
• Constructivist model

What is the attribute model and what are its main characteristics? Let's take a look at it.

Attribute model (in psychological assessment)

The attribute model, also known as the psychometric model, is based on a correlational approach, and behavior as the result of a series of intrapsychic attributes (variables specific to the organism). (variables specific to the organism).

In this model, the relationship between internal attributes and external manifestations (which, in this case, are the responses to tests) becomes relevant.

These relationships are also based on the aforementioned correlational approach. On the other hand, the goal of the attribute model is to predict behavior beyond the domains studied or tested..

Characteristics

Now, let's get to know the 6 basic characteristics of the attribute model (as well as its differences with the other models):

1. Theoretical formulation

According to the attribute model behavior is a function of personal or organismic variables, i.e. intrapsychic or genotypic variables..

Following this model, these variables will be evaluated directly through their behavioral manifestations.

Differences with the other models

The dynamic model suggests that behavior is explained on the basis of internal theoretical constructs; the medical model holds that behavior is determined by a series of Biological conditions, and the behavioral model suggests that these are explained by environmental factors.

For its part, the cognitive model predicts that behavior is explained through a set of internal mental processes and structures, and the constructivist model aims to evaluate the constructs used by the person to describe the world.

Variables under study

The types of variables under study in each model will also differ; in this case, under the attribute model we find that we seek to to analyze the intrapsychic variables of the individual obtained through empirical, factorial or rational procedures..

The objective is to study the personality of the person in a molecular and objective way; what does it mean to study personality in a molecular way? That behavior can be decomposed into smaller behavioral units, whose sum makes it up (in the molar form, on the other hand, the unit has unity in itself, and there is no need to decompose it into smaller parts).

Differences with the other models

The dynamic model studies the personality of the subject at the molar level; the medical model attempts to classify the subject; the behavioral model studies behavior at the molecular and mechanistic level; the cognitive model analyzes the influence of internal mental structures and the constructivist model postulates a set of internal variables as explanatory of the subject's reality.

Basic methods and techniques

What method does the attribute model use? The hypothetico-deductive method in its correlational version.Let us remember that this methodology implies observing the phenomenon to be studied, establishing starting hypotheses of the observed phenomena, deducing consequences from the hypothesis and finally verifying or testing the truth of the proposed statements.

This last step is carried out by comparing theory with practice (experience, empirical facts). Thus, the hypothetico-deductive method of the attribute model combines rational reflection with the observation of empirical reality.

This model, moreover, is based fundamentally on the use of tests to analyze human behavior and/or personality.. It also uses other types of techniques, all of them focused on gathering information to contrast the initial hypothesis.

Differences with the other models

The dynamic model is based on the clinical method and qualitative observations, and uses mainly projective techniques. In the case of the medical model, it is based, like the attribute model, on the hypothetico-deductive method in its correlational version.

The behavioral model uses self-report, observation and psychophysiological records; the cognitive model is based mainly on the use of self-report, and the constructivist model basically uses qualitative techniques.

4. Objectives

Another characteristic to take into account when classifying the different models in psychological assessment is their central objectives. In this case, the fundamental objective of the attribute model is to predict behavior in domains that differ from those tested..

Differences with the other models

Once again, if we compare the attribute model with other models in psychological assessment, we find the following: the dynamic model seeks to explain behavior, and not so much to predict it; the medical model, for its part, aims to arrive at a diagnosis based on a specific etiology; the behavioral model seeks even more things, such as describing, predicting, explaining and controlling behavior.

The cognitive model aims to describe and explain behavior on the basis of mental entities, and the constructivist model also aims to describe and explain behavior, but in this case on the basis of the individual's constructions of reality.

Areas of application

In terms of areas of application, the attribute model is mainly used in orientation tasks. is mainly used in school orientation tasks and in the field of organizations.This does not mean that it cannot be used in other areas.

Differences with the other models

The predominant field of application of the dynamic model is the clinical setting; that of the physician is also the clinical setting; the behavioral model is applied in all types of settings; the cognitive model is applied mainly in educational settings and in the laboratory; and finally, the constructivist model is used mainly in the clinical setting.

6. Levels of inference

On the other hand, each type of model in psychological assessment analyzes behavior at one level of inference or another..

Before explaining at what level of inference the analysis of behavior in the attribute model is situated, let us know the four levels of inference that exist (as the level of inference advances, the evaluation is more profound):

• Level I: the behavior is studied as a sample of the behavior to be evaluated.
• Level II: the relationship between an observed phenomenon and other behaviors is studied (correlation).
• Level III: the subject's behavior is studied and interpreted as an expression of an underlying attribute.
• Level IV: the previously inferred attribute is integrated into a complete theory.

In the attribute model, the evaluation is given at level III of inference; this means that hypotheses and conclusions of cause and effect can be established. (i.e., the causality of a phenomenon can be studied through this model).

Differences with the other models

The dynamic model is at level IV of inference; the medical model is at level III of inference, as is the attribute model. The behavioral model is placed at levels I and II, the cognitive model at levels III and IV and finally the constructivist model at level IV.

Bibliographical references:

• Buela-Casal, G. and Sierra, J.C. (1997). Manual de evaluación psicológica. Ed. Siglo XXI. Madrid.
• Fernández-Ballesteros, R. (2011) Evaluación Psicológica. Concepts, methods and case studies. Ed. Pirámide. Madrid.
• Moreno Rosset, C. (2005). Psychological assessment. Concept, process and application in the areas of development and intelligence. Ed. Sanz y Torres. Madrid