To respond to your first question: is a false negative preferable to a false positive, I consider that it would depend of the situation and the purpose why an assessment or test has been conducted. I strongly consider that I mandatory questions in these regards would be: is the life or future of the person who is assessed in danger. Does the safety of other people or society in danger of being harm at stake? For instance, let us say that a couple with limited economical resources takes his young child (who cannot express itself verbally yet) to the doctor because he is showing certain erratic behaviors. The doctor runs an assessment and wrongly says that there is nothing wrong with the child; however, the fact is that he is showing some autistic
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Using letters of recommendation to select students for a scholarship is preferable a false negative. The use of letters of recommendation is only part of the selection process for a scholarship; a candidate might need to meet more requirements than just letters.
e. Using the MMPI to determine whether an individual needs psychological treatment it is preferable a false positive. In this case it is best to assume that the individual might have a mental disorder (as tested positive), but in really have nothing. Initial assessments may lead to carry out more detailed and thorough evaluations; one assessment does not determine that the individual has a mental condition, (Piotrowski, 2005). However, if the test gives a false negative, the person can pass with an unnoticed condition and not receive proper treatment.
f. Using a test of physical ability to select firefighters it is preferable a false negative. To become a firefighter, a candidate has to pass many criterions. The candidate who aspires to this profession should have another set of skills and knowledge that would also be tested. At the academy, the candidate will have the chance to get fit. If he/she does not comply with the physical requirements upon graduation, he/she would receive an ultimatum or would not pass the academy
Using letters of recommendation to select students for a scholarship is preferable a false negative. The use of letters of recommendation is only part of the selection process for a scholarship; a candidate might need to meet more requirements than just letters.
e. Using the MMPI to determine whether an individual needs psychological treatment it is preferable a false positive. In this case it is best to assume that the individual might have a mental disorder (as tested positive), but in really have nothing. Initial assessments may lead to carry out more detailed and thorough evaluations; one assessment does not determine that the individual has a mental condition, (Piotrowski, 2005). However, if the test gives a false negative, the person can pass with an unnoticed condition and not receive proper treatment.
f. Using a test of physical ability to select firefighters it is preferable a false negative. To become a firefighter, a candidate has to pass many criterions. The candidate who aspires to this profession should have another set of skills and knowledge that would also be tested. At the academy, the candidate will have the chance to get fit. If he/she does not comply with the physical requirements upon graduation, he/she would receive an ultimatum or would not pass the academy