f privacy. Rather, they are singled out as particularly invasive because most people do not understand that psychological tests are just measures of isolated behavior samples, not some sort of magical tools with the power to probe the innermost secrets of the test-takers (Anastasi, 1982).
A different kind of invasion of privacy comes from the fact that many psychological tests, especially personality measures, ask questions about aspects of our personal lives which we do not usually openly discuss in our culture. For example, the MMPI items regarding sexual practices and eliminative functions are considered intrusive by some examinees. However, if a person is voluntarily taking the test in question, he is significantly less likely to feel that his privacy is being invaded than if he is obligated to take the test in some sort of institutional setting. Also, if the examiner takes the time to explain the purpose of such questions, the individual is less likely to be offended by them (Graham & Lilly, 1984).
The purpose of testing is an issue which must be considered in any discussion of privacy in psychological testing. There is the least opportunity for privacy to be invaded in a counseling situation since the client has agreed to the examinatio
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