Historical Development
1. Francis Galton (British Biologist) (1822-1911) was the
first scientist to undertake systematic and statistical investigations on
individual differences.
2. E H Weber (Anatomist) (1795-1878) focussed on
quantitative experimental approach to psychological problems and proposed
famous Weber’s law.
3. Wilhelm Wundt (1879) established first psychological lab
at Leipzig and employed physiological and introspection methods for studying
human beings.
4. James McKeen Cattel (1860-1944) rigorously studied and
focussed on the range of individual differences through experiments and applied
methods to study hearing, vision, reaction time etc.
5. Alfred Binet & Simon produced first standard scale
of intelligence in 1905 which was primarily used for the identification &
classification of mentally defective individuals. The test was revised in 1908
and 1911.
6. Group Tests (1917) were the results of World War I.
Psychologists developed two group tests for Army i.e. alpha (verbal) and beta
(non-verbal). The usage of tests in Army demonstrated the possibility of values
of group tests which are economical and effective. Schools too started using
these tests for various purposes.
7. Performance Tests – These tests were results of
criticism of use of language in Binet Simon test. These tests provide a
perceptual situation in which the subject manipulates items such as blocks,
boards, pictures etc. (Bhatia Battery, WAIS).
8. Aptitude Test – These tests received impetus in WWI. It
is intended to measure an individual ability to perform a task of a limited or
specific kind e.g. clerical, mechanical, musical etc. These were developed to
fulfil the US Army requirements. To find the right person for right job.
9. Occupational Interest Inventories were developed to
assess the professional interest for organizations.
10. Tests of Educational Achievements were developed to
measure the individual’s actual learning in educational subject matter after a
period on instructions.
11. Test Batteries – Developed during WWII for selection and
training of personal in the various branches of armed forces.
12. Multifactor Tests – Also called DAT. These tests were the
result of development of statistical technique of Factor Analysis. It isolated
and measure relatively “Pure” mental operation or constellations. These tests
isolate the elements that constitute mental operations.
13. Personality Tests – These tests were developed to evaluate
non-intellectual traits of personality. Galton (1879) and Pearson devised
questionnaires & rating scales.
14. Rating Scales – These were means of obtaining the
judgments of a number of respondents with reference to a limited number of
traits of an individual.
15. Self-Rating Inventories (SRI) – R. S. Woodworth (1919)
devised first SRI for military use. The purpose was to detect personality and
behavioural symptoms that are regarded as indicative of maladjustment.
16. Personality Tests – These tests were developed to evaluate
non-intellectual traits of personality. Galton (1879) and Pearson devised
questionnaires & rating scales.
(i) Rorschach Inkblot test by Herman Rorschach (Swiss) (1921).
(ii) TAT by HA Murray and CD Morgan (1935)
17. Present Scene – At present education system and Military
are the biggest users of psychological tests. Due to specialization in
profession the vocational system too is extensively using these tests. The
journey of psychological testing began with identification of special schooling
of mentally deficient children & presently reached to a tremendous scope
touching almost every aspect of human life.
References:
1. Anastasi, A (1976). Psychological Testing. New York: Macmillan
Publishing Co.
2. Freeman, F. S. (1965).
Theory and Practice of Psychological
Testing. New Delhi: Mohan Primlani for Oxford & IBH.
Thanks Dr Verma...for your efforts
ReplyDeleteThank You Sir
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