Final answer:
Psychologists argue that standardized tests may not be valid for non-native language speakers due to potential cultural bias, which measures cultural knowledge rather than cognitive ability. Norming is critical for establishing reliable standards, but doubts remain about the possibility of entirely bias-free testing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the validity of standardized tests when taken by individuals like Dan, who may not be native speakers of the test language. One of the significant concerns about such tests is the potential for cultural bias, suggesting that the test might measure cultural knowledge instead of the intended cognitive abilities or knowledge domains. An example of cultural bias could be questions that assume familiarity with certain cultural artifacts or practices, such as orchestral instruments, which might not be universally recognized. Additionally, psychological studies, like those mentioned by Van Troyer and Wechsler, emphasize that a test's reliability and validity are essential for producing accurate and meaningful results. Norming and standardization processes, which involve administering the test to a representative sample, are critical to establish reliable norms by which to interpret individual scores. However, even with such measures, questions remain as to whether standardized tests can ever be free from cultural bias or whether they reinforce existing power structures as conflict theorists suggest.