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Chapter 14 - Psychological Assessment and Testing in Malaysia and Singapore

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2022

By
Ivan M. H. Lee  and
N. Sheereen Zulkefly
Edited by
Sumaya Laher
Sumaya Laher
Affiliation:
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
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Summary

This chapter reviews the history and development of psychological assessment and testing in the region of Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Singapore are the focus of the chapter as both countries share similar yet significant historical, racial, and cultural backgrounds. Given that the field of psychological testing is more prominent in Western countries, it is natural for countries within Southeast Asia, or in this chapter, Malaysia and Singapore to adapt to Western cultures. The major question will then be pointing toward the validity and reliability of most psychological assessment and testing if they are used within Southeast Asia, with various native languages co-habiting within the societies. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide an update regarding the cross-cultural validity of psychological assessment in Southeast Asia, as well as to introduce instruments that are appropriately and culturally adapted and developed.

Keywords

AsiaassessmenthistoryMalaysiapsychologypsychological assessmentSingapore
Type
Chapter
Information
International Histories of Psychological Assessment , pp. 252 - 268
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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