criterion-referenced test

an exam from which decisions are made about an individual’s absolute level of accomplishment (i.e., mastery or nonmastery) of the material covered in that exam according to some standard reference point. For example, if a student obtains a score of 70% on a reading exam and a passing score is 65%, then he or she has done acceptably well. Also called content-referenced test. See also domain-referenced test; norm-referenced test.

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

divided consciousness

Ernest R. Hilgard’s characterization of dissociation as a state in which one stream of mental activity (e.g., perception, memory, planning) proceeds outside of phenomenal awareness and apparently outside of voluntary control. In his neodissociation theory, Hilgard proposed that this state could be best studied through hypnosis. See also coconsciousness; unity of consciousness.