CAN PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS ATTACH LABELS TO PEOPLE?
Tests are not designed to label people. In fact, responsible test manuals discourage any such linkage between results and labels. These manuals help users interpret the test results in a way that respects each individuals uniqueness. They also recommend that the test user base diagnoses or clinical decisions on several sources of information rather than on just a single test result. However, some public groups such as insurance companies, legislatures, school boards, and human service agencies do attach labels to people. This happens when programs and treatments are standardized by categories. Thus, an individual seeking treatment or a child with learning problems often has to be diagnosed and labeled to fit into one of the categories in order to receive funding for the special help they need.
