Final answer:
Item Response Theory is employed in computer adaptive tests because it considers the interaction between an individual's ability and the difficulty level of a question, creating a tailored testing experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
Item Response Theory (IRT) is utilized in computer adaptive tests because it states that the likelihood of someone answering a question correctly is a function of both the person's ability and the difficulty level of the question. This means that IRT takes into account how the properties of the question interact with an individual's ability level. For instance, even if two students have the same level of knowledge, the one who receives more difficult questions may answer fewer questions correctly.
In the context of self-report inventories used to assess personality, as developed by Rensis Likert, and in various psychological and educational testing scenarios, such as IQ tests, understanding this interaction is crucial. It ensures that tests can adjust to the test-taker's ability level in real time, providing a more accurate assessment. The difficulty level is not static but is determined relative to the test-taker's performance to create a tailored testing experience.