April 02, 2023

Theories of Personality- Theory of Formal Discipline, Theory of Identical 'Components' Rather Than 'Elements' and Theory of Identical Components the Basis for Social Utility Movement



 Theory of Formal Discipline 


The notion that the mental dell. orl (extra) blank faculties can be developed uniformly as a whole by training in one subject or on one kind of data has been known in education as "the theory of formal discipline." The term 'formal' implies that it is the form of the activity and not its content, not the subject-matter itself, that is important in education. If the activity is of the form of memorizing, it is assumed that memory could be trained no matter what is memorized. To learn to reason, one has merely to practice the forms of reasoning. The term 'discipline' implies the real spirit of the theory which is that the major virtues of a tenacious memory, an in flexible will, pure and impersonal judgment and reason are to be secured only by very vigorous and full exercise of the faculties.


Theory of Identical 'Components' Rather Than 'Elements'


It has been discovered that, on the whole, the carry-over from one situation to another is roughly proportional to the degree of resemblance in the situations. This conclusion suggested the possibility that transfer takes place to the extent to which there are identical elements in the old and new tasks. If the relatively novel situation in part or in parts identical with the familiar stimulus pattern, then it should be possible to carry over from the one to the other the reactions which the individual had learned to make to those particular conditions.


As the literature on transfer of training developed, the term 'identical element' unfortunately came to be used in an atomistic sense It was used to refer to highly detailed elements to extremely narrow common units: almost, at times, to indivisible entities. However, more careful treatments of the problem did not use the word 'element' in this narrowly atomistic sense. 'What the theory of identical elements demands' writes Woodworth. "is that transfer should be of concrete performances, whether simple or complex, makes no difference to the theory. Confusion will be avoided by using the word constituent' or 'component' in place of 'element' and by speaking of the theory of identical components."


The theory of identical components, then, would not predict that practice in tennis would improve one's attention, concentration, will, or temperament for meeting all situations or dealing with all kinds of data equally, but would affirm that certain skills, procedures, and attitudes such as judging the fight of a ball, remembering to keep one's eye on the ball, and to keep cool by thinking of the game instead of the spectators would carry over to another activity such as handball to the extent, roughly, that the two games and the general situations have important characteristics in common. What sorts of responses, according to the theory of identical components, may transfer? Or, expressed in another way, what kinds of components may two or more activities or situations have in common? 


1. Transfer of Facts Information

 Not only do we transfer attitudes and procedures to new tasks, but we also may utilize knowledge gained in a given situation in other situations. This is what is presumed to happen when the child uses his knowledge of the simple addition combinations in performing column addition Previous knowledge may provide cues for the solution of new problems in geometry. Historical information may make the literature of a period more understandable. Psychological principles may be applied in writing attention-getting leads for newspaper stories. With information, as with other responses, the amount of transfer, according to the theory of identical comports, is determined by the common features of the original learning activities and the situations where knowledge is applied. In many instances little transfer occurs because the individual fails to detect the underlying similarities in the situations which confront him; often, in fact, because he fails to try to find such similarities.


2. Transfer of Techniques of Reacting

During practice in memorizing, subject may learn a variety of methods of attack upon the particular subject-matter. For example, if he is learning a list of items. he may hit upon the technique of repeating them rhythmically, a procedure which he may use with lists of different things. He may find that searching for certain of the items to use as landmarks is profitable, and this device may be used on other materials, in some cases advantageously, and in others disadvantageously. Again the subject may use the plan of learning by the whole rather than the part method, and this procedure may be adapted to other kinds of material. From experience, he may discover that his 'memory' is not so bad, and this feeling of confidence may recur whenever any task of memorizing is presented. On the other hand, he may acquire habits of using ineffective associations, of disliking such work, of doubting his capacity to improve. When transferred, these activities would interfere with the learning of new data. What is carried over, then, from the point of view of identical components, is not an improved faculty of memory, but group of new devices, ideas, attitudes-in a word, a new technique, which may be good or bad in whole or in parts.


Theory of Identical Components the Basis for Social Utility Movement

The principle that transfer takes place through identical components provided the psychological basis for the social utility movement in education. If the amount of transfer depends upon t the presence of common features, it is obviously important to make the activities of the school as nearly as possible like those which actually occur in life. The transfer of methods of attack, of knowledge and insights, techniques of learning and problem solving, interest, poise, habits and ideals of caution, honesty, accuracy thoroughness, initiative, etc., to the situations of life will be large, supposedly, to the degree that the subject-matter and activities of the classroom are similar to those encountered in life outside the school.

The social utility movement has turned the attention of the school to the real and significant concerns of human living, and away from unreal or fantastic problems and trivial and impractical information. Some of the results of this emphasis on reality in the school are attempts to determine what words we need to spell in the writing which we actually do: what arithmetical knowledge and ability we need to use what historical and scientific information is essential or worth-while to know; what problems in relation to health, recreation, public affairs. home membership, vocational orientation and training and personal and social adjustment we must solve in satisfying and helpful living The modern school gives students opportunities to put useful knowledge and abilities to work in meaningful and life-like situations.

Personality- Personality: Its Concept, Meaning, Nature, Definitions, Characteristics/Features of Personality and Determinants of Personality/Development of Personality/Factors Influencing or Affecting Personality,



Personality


Introduction


Psychology of personality is of recent growth. Personality is the completed jigsaw puzzle as the whole individual is to be studied as a whole, personality means the impact that an individual produces on the persons interacting with him or it refers to the extent to which a person impresses other people. It also refers to special characteristics, abilities, emotional and social traits, interests and attitudes of a person or can be described in terms of behaviour of an individual, his words. thoughts and gestures.


Personality: Its Concept, Meaning and Nature


The word personality has been described by many psychologists in different ways and each definition suggests a different approach towards personality.

Etymologically the word 'personality' has been derived from the Latin word 'Persona' which means mask or make up or cover through which an actor plays his role on the stage. Persona was meant a mask which the Greek actors commonly used to wear before their faces when they worked on the stage. For example, actors in Ramlila and Krishnalila use mask when they enact the role of a particular character from the epics.

This idea of mask using has been criticised in many ways because one plays many roles in this world. Thus the emphasis on outward appearance and observable behaviour gives us a very limited understanding of the individual to whom we are observing. In order to understand personality and its proper connotation, we have to take help from Biology. Sociology, Psychology and other allied Sciences. The following are the different view points to define personality.


Definitions


1. Watson defines "Personality is the sum of activities that can be discovered by actual observations over a long enough period of time to give reliable information".


2. Guilford defines "Personality is the unique pattern of traits which distinguishes one individual from another".


3. Munn defines "Personality is the most characteristic integration of an individuals structures, mode of behaviour, interests, attitudes, capacities, abilities and aptitudes".


4. Eysenck defines "Personality is the sum-total of actual behaviour patterns of the Organism". Personality is the more or less stable and enduring organisation of a person's character, temperament, intellect and physique, which determine his unique adjustment to the environment. 


5. Gestalt school defines "Personality as a pattern or configuration produced by the integrated functioning of all the traits and characteristics of an individual". 


6. Allport has attempted to give us a comprehensive definition of personality which recognises the value of wholeness, adjustment and distinctiveness of human personality. He defines "Personality is the dynamic organisation within the individual of those Psycho Physical systems that determine his unique adjustments to his environment".


Characteristics/Features of Personality


Personality is a sum total of various human qualities. Following are the chief characteristics of a balanced personality.


1. Personality is something unique and specific.

2. Personality is a dynamic and moving force. 

3. Personality includes all the behaviour patterns, i.e.. cognitive, conative and affective and covers not only the conscious activities but goes deeper to the semi- conscious and unconscious also. 

4. Personality has a structure.

5. Personality cannot be judged by only looking at his physical appearance rather it is the study of totality. 

6. Personality is the product of heredity and environment. 


Determinants of Personality/Development of Personality/Factors Influencing or Affecting Personality


1. The Physiological and Physical Factors

(Genetic or Biological Determinants)


The biological factors affecting the development of personality are the three. These are (a) Physique, (b) Chemique (Ductless Gland) and (c) Nervous system.


(a) Physique

A Physical factor of personality is the individual's physique. An individual's personalty differ according to his physique. These aspects are height, weight, body-built, colour appearance and proportion, etc., which determine to a large extent the way in which he behaves towards others and how others react towards him. It is seen that in daily life the fat men are easy going and social while thin persons are self controlled, irritated and un-social. Even tall and fair persons enjoy an advantage over their short and ugly associates. Thus the physical structure has some relation with environment and makes a change in their personality.


(b) Chemique

Another important biological factor affecting personality is body chemistry. By chemique is meant the possible effects of the ductless glands on the personality development. Glands are small organs which change chemical substances from one form to another in the body. These glands are of two types (a) duct glands, (b) ductless glands. Ductless glands called endocrines releases chemical substances (called hormones) into the blood stream which carries them to all parts of the body. The endocrine glands (ductless glands) bring about changes in physical appearance, motor functioning. intelligence and emotional stability. Some of the important ductless glands like the Pituitary Gland, the Thyroid Gland, the Adrenal Gland and Sex Glands are Interdependent. The individuals with profound imbalance of ductless glands are rarely happy or well-adjusted and play an important part in bodily, mental and emotional development and if defective, imbalanced development of personality.


(c) Nervous System

Similarly the nervous system is mainly classified as Central Nervous System which is under the control of our will and is connected with our sense organs and voluntary muscles; and Autonomous Nervous System which is entirely involuntary and autonomic and controls the involuntary muscles, heart, internal organs, etc., causes Personality development. The Physiological conditions of the body brought about by drugs. disease, diet, toxins and bacterial infections may also influence our behaviour and personality. 

Hence heredity lies at the root of all the possibilities of personality development.


II. The Environmental or Social Factors 

(Social Determinants)


Environmental influences begin since the time of the conception of the child in the womb of the mother. Mother's mental, physical and emotional conditions influence the development of fetus in the womb. Physical and geographical conditions of the environment play an important role in shaping the personality of human beings at every stage of the development. The type of home atmosphere, parent-child relationship, financial conditions, types of school and the community or society, etc., are some of the factors of environment which affect the personality. The following are the description of social factor as personality.


(a) Influence of Home and the Family on Personality

The environment of the home has a wide influence on the development of personality. A congenial home atmosphere, parent-child relationships, behaviour and attitudes of the parents towards their children, parental ambitions, family morale, patterns of child care, family education and economic conditions either affect the personality positively or negatively. Thus the role of the father and mother is very important in the family to determine and mould the personality patterns of the child.

Besides the role of the parents, the atmosphere in the family is greatly influencing. A peaceful and loving atmosphere results in children being orderly, peace-loving and very affectionate and develop mature and pleasant personalities. Whereas in a family where there is tension, constant quarrelling, incompatibility among parents, the child is likely to develop insecurity, inferiority and becomes emotionally confused and unstable. Rigid atmosphere, deprivation, autocratic styles of living, absence of affection and sympathy. affect adversely and the child often turns criminal. Thus, the child's personality is a creation of family and its development is fully dependent upon the child's parents and the child himself at home.


(b) Influence of School on Personality

School plays an important role in moulding the personality of children because a significant part of a child's life is spent in school. In school the personality and behaviour of the teacher, class fellows and playmates, the richness of the curriculum, co-curricular activities, method of teaching. nature of school organisation, and discipline that prevails, etc.. are affecting the child's personality. The child tends to identify himself with the teachers and tries to imitate his ways, manners and personality traits. Thus a good teacher and the congenial atmosphere in the institution develop the child educationally and mentally and helps in formulating balanced personality development otherwise undesirable and unethical behaviour could have been found out with the children.


(c) Influence of Society on Personality

Society is a web of social relationship. These social relationship connect men and women with one another. These inter personal relations influence and mould the personality of the individual. In the society each individual has some peculiar status and roles corresponding to him. It is found out that social control is exercised by mores, traditions, myth. legends, customs, etc., and determine the style of life of an individual. The individual cannot behave in the society as he likes because there are rules, regulations, norms and law to govern the individual. Therefore, social norms influence even the ways and attitudes of the individual. This ultimately influences his personality.


III. The Psychological or Mental Factors

The Psychological factors like motives, interests. attitudes, character, thinking, intelligence, reasoning, imagination, creativity, habits and mental health, etc.. developed by the individuals also affect their personality to a great extent.


IV. The Cultural Determinants

Every society is characterized by its cultural heritage which is transmitted from generation to generation in the form of social heredity. Thus personality of an individual is gradually shaped by the culture where he is born in. Tyler defines culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs morals, law, custom and many other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society". In simple sense culture is a way of life. It is also a fact that we are able to distinguish one person from the other on the basis of the effect of his culture over their personality characteristics. Thus, the attributes and values practised in a culture have a great effect on the personality development of its members.

Transfer of Learning- Meaning and Definitions, Types of Transfer of Learning, Factors responsible for transfer of Learning and Educational Implications of Transfer of Learning



Transfer of Learning


While the term transfer of learning is transfer of knowledge the term transfer of training is transfer of skills, which is being used interchangeably. As education is said to be preparation for life, whatever we learn in educational institution, should be useful only when we can apply the same in day-to-day life. Hence, the need for transfer of learning emphasises on application of knowledge in various fields or is a process in which responses are used in one situation which it is acquired.


Meaning and Definitions


The process of carrying over habits of thinking. knowledge, skills and attitude from one learning situation to another is called the transfer of learning. For example, a child will carry over the arithmetical abilities he/she learns in a class room to the solution of problems that he/she may actually face in later life, in business or in the management of personal finances is called transfer of learning.

The following are the definitions of Transfer of Learning:


1. Bigge defines Transfer of learning occurs when a person's learning in one situation influences his learning and performance in other situations."


2. Walter defines "Transfer is the application or carry over of knowledge, skills, habits, attitudes or other responses from one situation in which they were initially acquired to some other situation".


3. Eills defines "Transfer of learning means that experience or performance on one task influences performance on some subsequent task". 


4. Crow and Crow defines "The carry-over habits of thinking, feeling or working of knowledge or of skills, from one learning area to another usually is referred to as the transfer of training". 


5. Sorenson defines "transfer as recognition, use and application to a given situation of knowledge, skills and habits that were learned in another situation".


Types of Transfer of Learning


The following are the different types of transfer of learning.


(a) Positive Transfer: 

When learning in all situation facilitates the learning in another situation is called positive transfer.


(b) Negative Transfer: 

When the learning of one task makes the learning of second task harder is called negative transfer or the previous learning interferes or hinders the learning of new task is called negative transfer. 


(c) Zero Transfer: 

When the learning of one subject or previous learning neither facilitates nor hinders the new learning is called zero transfer.


(d) Vertical Transfer: 

When one lesson facilitates understanding for another lesson in a subject, e.g.. habits and values of the family influences the child to adopt them in their day to day life is called vertical transfer.


(e) Horizontal Transfer: 

When the knowledge of one subject helps in understanding the other subjects, e.g., the knowledge of the history of vedic period helps in understanding the literature of that period is called horizontal transfer.


(f) Bilateral Transfer: 

When the training given to one part of the body is transfered to other part, e.g., writing with right hand may be transfered to the left one is called bilateral transfer.


(g) Unilateral Transfer: 

When the training given to one sided parts of the body is used for future is called unilateral transfer.


Factors responsible for transfer of Learning


Transfer is dependent on a multitude of factors which are given below:


(i) Transfer depends very much upon the intelligence and Innate efficiency of the learner. It depends upon one's ability to generalise and the ability to perceive relationships between two situations. But a dull student learns by rote and hence cannot apply it to a new situation.


(ii) Formation of attitudes and ideals helps one to transfer the knowledge and the skill from one situation to another. 


(iii) Transfer relies heavily on meaningfulness of material. So, proper teaching and encouragement to pupils are essential for transfer of training.


(iv) Transfer depends upon the use of facts learnt Transfer is not possible unless the subject learnt is put into practical use. The transfer of the knowledge of Ethics gained in school to social education is possible only in the event of the students use of the former daily life.


(v) Discovery leads to transfer. When a child discovers the solution to a problem himself, he is likely to transfer this knowledge to the solution of other problems.


(vi) Techniques of learning, congenial environment and motivation to the subject help in transfer of training. 


Educational Implications of Transfer of Learning


(a) Subject matter should be taught and learnt in close contact with its applications. When a child knows that what he/she learns has a bearing beyond the classroom, he/she is strongly motivated to learn it well.


(b) Whatever is taught to the student should have a practical applications in actual life. Thus, good teacher should keep in mind that for greatest transfer the generalizations should be thoroughly mastered and completely understood. 


(c) Students should be encouraged to see beyond specific details to the underlying relationships or principles and provided opportunity for applications of generalization. 


(d) It is now well established fact that greater transfer from subject matter can be achieved by changing the methods of teaching, if the subject matter is taught in isolation from the problems of daily life the utility of the knowledge gained is extremely limited.


(e) Emphasis should be given on developing ideals and attitudes so that proper transfer of learning can take place.


(f) Teacher should know that transfer is not accomplished with equal facility. It depends upon one's ability to generalise his experiences and the ability to perceive relationships between two situations. Thus emphasis should be given on Intelligence and the teacher should teach the student according to the mental ability. 


(g) Teacher should given the meaningful matter in the class and try to develop the attitude for the application of theoretical content into practical life. Students should be made alert to new situations.

April 01, 2023

Types of Intelligence Tests


 Types of Intelligence Tests


Intelligence tests are classified on two bases: number of subjects or examines, and forms of presentation of the tests. Intelligence tests are divided into two categories on the basis of number of the subjects or examines: individual intelligence tests and group intelligence tests. They are also classified into two types on the basis of their presentation: verbal intelligence tests and non-verbal intelligence tests. These two classifications of intelligence tests can be understood by the following chart collectively:




The intelligence tests are divided into two types on the basis of number of subjects or examines: individual intelligence tests and group intelligence tests.

1. Individual Intelligence Tests: These are those intelligence tests which can be administered on only one subject or examine at one time. In these tests, the examiner first establishes rapport with the subject and brings him into normal mental condition; he frees him from all kinds of fears and anxieties. After this, he gives directions about the test, and a last, asks him to answer the questions included in the test. Some of the important tests of this type are: Stanford-Binet test of Intelligence Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Merril and Palmer Intelligence Scale, Pinter Peterson Performance Scale, Merril-Palmer Block Building Test and Porteus Maze Test.

The chief characteristic of these tests is that there is establishment of rapport between the examiner and the examine in their administration the examine is free from all kinds of fears and anxieties, and he answers in normal state of mind. As a result, his intelligence can be measured properly. Another characteristic of these tests is that they are administered by specialists, so they have more validity and reliability Their third characteristic is that they can also be used to measure the intelligence of very tiny children and dull children. And fourth and the last characteristic is that these tests are more useful in the field of mental diagnosis and vocational guidance.


2. Group Intelligence Tests: These are those intelligence tests which can be administered on a large number of subjects at a time. The administration of these tests does not require the examiner to establish rapport with the subjects. He distributes the intelligence tests himself or gets them distributed. The directions about the test are printed on the tests themselves, or they are printed separately for distribution. Some of such important tests are: Army Alpha Test, Burt's Group Intelligence Test, Jalota's Intelligence Test, Raven's Progressive Matrix, Cattell's Culture Free Test and Army Beta Test. 

The chief characteristic of these tests is that they can be constructed and standardised easily. Second, their administration is easy, and does not require specialists. Third, their administration can be done on hundreds of subjects together at one time. As a result, their administration needs less time, energy and money; they are less expensive. Fourth and last they are especially suitable for selection and classification of students and persons

Verbal and Non-Verbal Group Intelligence Test

 



Verbal Group Intelligence Test


1. Name of the Test: General Mental Ability Test, 1963

2. Constructor of the Test: Dr. S. Jalota

3. Qualities to be measured: General intelligence (G)

4. Utility: This test is meant for measurement of general intelligence of children.

5. Number of items: There are 100 questions (items) in this test.

They are of 7 types:

(i) Dynonyms                                         (ii)Antonyms

(iii) Number series                                 (iv) Classification

(v) Best answers                                     (vi) Inferences

(vii) Analogies


6. Administration of the Test: This test is administered as follows:


(i) At first the seating arrangement for the examines is made in a peaceful room. The gap between any two seats is such that the examines are not able to talk to one another or to copy.

(ii) After this, the examines are seated on the specified seats and rapport is established with them before giving the test to them.

(iii) When the examines are in a normal state of mind, they are given necessary directions and then the test papers are distributed among them.

(iv) The examiner sees to it that the examines do their work independently: none of them asks anything from another, nor do they copy. The examiner can take the help of his associates in this task.

(v) The test papers are taken back after the specified time.


7. Scoring of the test: Marks are awarded on the tests. The mental age of the children is ascertained on the basis of obtained marks. After this, the ratio of their mental age and chronological age is multiplied by 100 to calculate their intelligence quotient. At last, they are classified on the basis of their intelligence quotient, as given in the table.


Non-Verbal or Performance Group Intelligence Test


1. Name of the Test: Raven's Progressive Matrix 

2. Constructor of the Test: J.C. Raven

3. Quality to be measured: General intelligence (G)

4. Utility: This test has three forms:


(i) Standard Progressive Matrix (S.P.M.), 1957: It is meant to measure the intelligence of the children from 6 years of age to adult persons.

(ii) Advanced Progressed Matrix (A.P.M.), 1965: It is useful for the measurement of intelligence of the children from 11%½ years of age to adults of 40 years of age with high intelligence.

(iii) Coloured Progressive Matrix (C.P.M.), 1967: This test is useful for the measurement of intelligence of the children from 5½ to 11½ years of age.


5. Number of items: In this test, there are:


(i) 5 sets in S.P.M. and each of them has 12 questions each; thus having a total of 60 questions.

(ii) 2 sets in A.P.M., the first set has 12 questions and the second has 36 questions, thus having a total of 48 questions.

(iii) 3 sets in C.P.M., and each of them has 12 questions, thus having a total of 36 questions.


 6. Administration of the Test: We take the administration of S.P.M. here:


(i) At first, the examines are seated in the room at ease, with the suitable gap between them so that they may not talk and help each other.

(ii) The test papers are distributed to them.

(iii) They are shown the model item in the test booklet and suitable directions are given to them. 

Look, there is a pattern on the upper part of the page. A part of it has been cut out from the right side. Now look at the lower part of the page. There are six patterns. On of them is such which can fit into the empty place in the above patter correctly to complete the pattern.

Tell, which is that pattern.

The examines will look and think. Then the examiner will tell that i is pattern number 4.

Children, this test booklet has the patterns of this type. First open the first page, look at the pattern and write the number of the pattern that can be fitted into the empty place. Then go on to the second page, and third page, and so on, to write the pattern numbers. The time specified for this test is 40 minutes.


7. Scoring of the Test: Though the basic norms of this test pertain to Britain, because it has been standardised in Britain for the sample including children from 6 years of age to adults of 65 years of age, yet international norms have also been prepared, and we have prepared them for our country too. Intelligence quotient is calculated on the basis of obtained marks in the test, as per directions given in the manual.

Uses and Limitations of Intelligence Tests



 Uses of Intelligence Tests


The following are the important uses of intelligence test: 


1. Understand the Capability of a Child

Intelligence tests are of valuable aid to the educationist as a means of diagnosis of the capacity or efficiency of pupils. The scores of intelligence test reveal the mental age of a child and indicates the readiness of a child for learning.


2. Homogeneous Grouping

A class consisting of students with widely different abilities, is difficult to handle. Thus homogeneous grouping of pupils can be done on the basis of intelligence test results.


3. Purpose of Admission/Selection to Various Courses

It has been known that success in school is to a great extent, correlated with intelligence. While admitting pupils it is desirable to consider their M.A. rather than C.A. Thus, it is an asset (intelligence test) and help the professionals and students to choose the right institutions and right courses.


4. Identifying Gifted and Backward Children

Intelligence tests help in classifying individuals according to their mental make up. On the basis of results the students can be named as gifted, backward and average, and accordingly educational opportunities can be provided.


5. Educational and Vocational Guidance

The results of intelligence tests help in providing educational, vocational and personal guidance to students by teachers and guidance personnel. It gives clue in guiding the students into those courses where they have some likelihood of being successful and suggesting a few other courses and careers. This test is also used as a screening device for selecting suitable candidates from among a large number of applicants and possibility of entering into an occupation in future.


6. Use in Assessment for Promotion, Reporting to Parents and Degree of Responsibility

The results of intelligence tests along with the achievement tests can be successfully used for promotion of students to the next higher grades and help in promotion of people in next higher post. Similarly intelligence test help the teacher to sent progress report to the parents about the mental ability and the achievement level of the students. Sometimes the teacher assigns responsibility, etc., on students on the basis of intelligence test, which is really a praiseworthy activity.


7. Raising the Quality of Teaching

Intelligence test help the teacher to plan his/her teaching-learning activities according to the needs of the child or what the child can learn and how quickly he/she can learn.


8. Use in Research Work

Intelligence tests are very much needed for research in the field of education. Mental measurement is a very important aspect in any study whether it aims at survey or comparison. Intelligence test help us to know the general level of intelligence of a particular country or race.


Limitations of Intelligence Test


1. Results of intelligence tests should not be considered final because sometimes it may not give accurate results. In such cases interpretation of intelligence of the individual becomes wrong.


2. Intelligence tests are constructed and standardised on a definite population. In such cases accurate results may not be predicted in another population. 


3. Intelligence test becomes unreliable if accurate chronological age is not real.


4. Intelligence tests especially individual tests are too costly and teachers cannot make use of it. 


5. Sometimes intelligence test by itself or in combination with others cannot measure the true psyche potential or mental functioning of an individual or the real cognitive ability of an individual.


6. Sometimes it is quite surprising and rather confusing when a child scores very high on one test and very low on another. This may be quite misleading.


7. The I.Q. scores of the testes are highly influenced by the conditions prevailing at the time the intelligence tests are administered.


8. There is every possibility of language difficulty, poor test questions and vague instructions, etc., in the intelligence test, which may not give accurate ideas of the students.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Intelligence Tests



 Verbal and Non-Verbal Intelligence Tests


The Intelligence tests are classified into two types on the basis of their presentation: verbal intelligence tests and non-verbal intelligence tests.


1. Verbal Intelligence Tests: These are those intelligence tests in which the questions and problems are presented in words or language, and the subjects too have to answer in words or language. They are generally in the form of paper-pencil tests.

The most important characteristic of these tests is that have more validity and reliability. Second, they can be administered individually and collectively both. Third, they can be administered easily. And fourth their scoring is objective.

hat they 

2. Non-Verbal Intelligence Tests: These are those intelligence tests in which questions and problems are not presented by the medium of language but are presented by the medium of concrete objects and figures, and the subjects have to answer them with such activities. These tests can also be in the form of pen-pencil tests, or they may be only performance tests, or they can be a mixture of both. In paper-pencil tests, objects or artistic problems are presented in printed form which the examines solve using pencils, and in performance tests, different objects are presented for placing them in order or serial.

The foremost characteristic of these tests is that they are comparatively more valid and reliable. Second, they can be administered on both literate and illiterate persons. Third, they can be administered individually or collectively. Fourth, they can also be used to measure the intelligence of tiny children easily.


Verbal Individual Intelligence Test


1. Name of the test: Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test Series, 1960

2. Adapter of the test: Dr. S.K. Kulshreshtha

3. Quality to be measured: General intelligence (G) 

4. Utility: This test is used for the measurement of intelligence of children from 2 years of age to youths of 18 years.

5. (a) Test Material: Test material can be divided into four groups: 

(i) Test Series: It describes the sub-tests to be administered for different age levels.

(ii) Material Aid: It can be divided into two groups: one, concrete objects and second, pack of cards. Concrete objects are toys of dogs, cat, cup, etc. and wooden cubes which are used for the measurement are of two kinds: small and big. The small pack comprises of 36 figures of different objects (aeroplane, coat, umbrella, etc.) and persons (girls rabbit, etc.). They are used for the measurement of intelligence of children from 2 years to 5 years of age. The big pack of cards comprise 37 cards and some figures given separately. These cards have pictures and linguistic items which are used for the measurement of intelligence of children from 3 years to 18 years of age. The cards include the ones meant for children and adults.

(iii) Record Book: It is used to record responses of the examines.

(iv) Norms: It comprises of norms for examines from 2 years to 18 years. 


5 (b) Number of Items: This test comprises of a total of 124 items which are divided into six groups.

(i) First Group: This group comprises of 12 items for each year for the children from 2 years to 4 years of age group, with a total of 36 items. If a child answers an item correctly, he is given a credit of one month in his mental age (M.A.) and if he answers all items in this group correctly, 36 months are added in his mental age.

(ii) Second Group: This group comprises of 6 items for each year for the age groups from 5 years to 14 years with a total of 60 items. If a child answers one item correctly a credit of two months is given to him in his mental age.

(iii) Third Group: This group has a total of 8 items for adolescents of 15 years of age. If an adolescent answers one item correctly a credit of 2 months is given and added in his mental age.

(iv) Fourth Group: This group comprises of a total of 6 items for the adolescents of 16 years of age. If an adolescent answers one item correctly a credits of 4 months is given and added to his mental age. 

(v) Fifth Group: This group comprises of a total of 6 items for the adolescents of 17 years of age. In it a credit of 5 months is given for answering each item correctly.

(vi) Sixth Group: This group comprises a total of 6 items for the adolescents of 18 years of age. In it a credit of 6 months is given fo answering each item correctly.


6. Administration of Test: Its administration is done as follows: 

(i) At first, the examiner establishes rapport with the examine, talks to him and brings him to a normal state of mind. It is necessary to maintain this rapport from beginning to the end of the test.

(ii) When the examine comes in a normal state of mind, the test is administered according to the directions given in the manual. Two things are especially kept in view: The intelligence test for a common intelligence level child is begun by asking items from the group below his age group so that he is not discouraged. And second, if a child answers an item incorrectly, it is not repeated.


7. Scoring of Test: Credits are awarded to the examine as determined for specific group to find out the mental age. 

(i) Basal Age: The basal age is the age for which the examine is able to answer all questions correctly. 

(ii) Ceiling Age: The age for which an examine is not able to answer even an item is called his ceiling age.

(iii) Mental Age: Basal age + Acquired age = Mental age.

(iv) Intelligence Quotient: It is calculated according to the directions given in the manual.


Non-Verbal or Performance Individual Intelligence Test


1. Name of the Test: Bhatia Battery General Intelligence Test, 1955 

2. Constructor of the Test: Dr. C.M. Bhatia

3. Quality to be measured : General intelligence (G) 

4. Utility : It is used for the measurement of intelligence of small children.

5. Number of Items: This test comprises of five sub-tests:


(i) Koh's Block Design Test: There are 16 coloured wooden cubes in it. The surfaces of these cubes are white, yellow, blue, red, half red-half white, half blue and half yellow respectively. The examine has to make ten designs with the help of these wooden cubes as given on the ten cards. The maximum time limit for making the first five designs is 2 minutes and for second 5 designs is 3 minutes. If an examine makes the first 5 designs in 1 minute, he is awarded 2 marks, and if an examine makes these designs in 2 minutes, he is given 1 mark. Examine who is not able to make the designs within the specified 2 minutes, he is awarded 0 (zero). In the same way 3 marks are awarded for making second five designs within 1 minute, 2 marks for making within 2 minutes, 1 mark for making within 3 minutes and 0 for not being able to make it within this time limit.


(ii) Alexander's Pass Along Test: This test comprises of wooden red and blue rectangular and square cubes. The examine has to make 8 designs with the help of these wooden pieces as given on 8 cards. Each examine is presented in a tray with red pieces lined toward blue line and blue pieces lined toward red line. The examine has to bring the red pieces toward the red line and the blue pieces toward the blue line as given on the card. The condition is that none of the pieces in the tray is lifted, they are dragged in the tray itself and thus the design is prepared The scale to mark the first 4 designs and last 4 designs is similar as given for the first sub-test of 5-5 figures.


(iii) Pattern Drawing Test: This test was constructed by Dr. C.M. Bhatia himself. This test comprises of 8 geometrical patterns. The examine has to draw with the help of pencil the similar patterns by looking at the pattern. The condition is that the examine cannot lift the pencil and no part of the pattern is repeated. Its marking is done as similar to the second sub-test.


(iv) Immediate Memory Test: In this test, some numbers and letters are written on a card. It has two parts:


(a) Direct Order: In it, the numerals and letters have to be repeated in the same order in which they were spoken.

(b) Reverse Order : In it, the spoken numerals and letters have to be repeated in the reverse order. The number of marks awarded are equal to the number of numerals and letters correctly repeated.


(v) Picture Completion Test: In this sub-test, there are 5 wooden patterns which have been divided into the cubes of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 respectively. The examine is given these figures and cubes one by one The examine has to join these cubes to make patterns. Time limit for making the first 3 patterns is 2 minutes and 3 minutes for the later 2 patterns. Its marking is also done as similar to the first sub-test. Placing 6 cubes correctly out of 8 cubes in the fourth pattern gives I mark. And in the fifth pattern, placing 9 cubes correctly out a total of 12 begets 2 marks and 6 cubes beget 1 mark. If the examine is able to make the pattern correctly, he is given these marks in addition.


6. Administration of the Test: Administration of this test is done as follows:


(i) At first, the examiner establishes rapport with the examine, be haves with him with affection, sympathy and cooperation and makes him free from all kinds of shies and fears and brings him to a normal state of mind. He maintains this rapport from beginning to the end of the test.

(ii) After having established rapport with the examine, the examine gives directions about the test, and then gives sub-tests to the examine one by one. The examine is given the opportunity to complete the test within specified time limit.


7. Scoring of the Test: Each of the sub-tests is marked accordingly. At last, the marks so obtained are added to obtained total marks. After this, the mental age of the examine is found out from the manual, and his intelligence quotient is calculated.



The Concept of Chronological Age (CA), Mental Age (MA),Basal Age (BA) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ)



 The Concept of CA, MA, BA and IQ


It is a matter of fact that the function of psychological tests is to measure individual differences. But the ideas of intelligence test was first mooted by the French Psychologist, Alfred Binet to measure intelligence and before that attempts were made to measure intelligence through unscientific or crude manner. Now intelligence test is used in a variety of situations and provides a single score such as I.Q. indicating individuals general intellectual level.

Before we make an attempt to assess the intelligence of an individual the following basic concepts must be understood. These are as follows.


(1) Chronological Age:

It refers to the actual age of an individual or his/her date of birth. It is symbolically called as CA.


(2) Mental Age

The concept of Mental age was introduced by Alfred Binet in the year 1908. MA merely indicates the level of development which a child has reached at a given age. It shows the mental level but it does not tell us how bright the child is. It gives us an idea whether the child is advanced or retarded or average when compared to normal children of his/her age.

The concept of MA has made the interpretation of Intelligence easier. If the MA of a child is equal to his chronological age then he is normal. When he is greater than the CA, he is advanced and less than the CA is retarded. It is otherwise called the mental maturity achieved by the child at some particular age or MA is a kind of score which gives an idea of about the intellectual development of the child. Maximum mental age of a person is 19 or 20. The procedure of calculation of mental age is as follows. A child's mental age is calculated by adding the basal age and the credits (in terms of months) obtained by him in subsequent levels.

Suppose a child takes a test of intelligence and there are six sub-tests in the test. Success in passing one sub-test means a credit of 2 months and passes all the six sub-tests means a credit of 12 months. Take for example a five year child and his success and credits earned at various levels are given below.


1. Passed all tasks at 5 years level   -  5 years (Basal age) 


2. Passed 4 out of 6 tasks at 6 years  - 8 months credit level

                                                               (4 x 2)

3. Passed 4 out of 6 tasks at 7 year  -  4 months credit level

                                                              (2 x 2)

4. Failed all tasks at 8 years level    -  0 months credit

-------------------------------------------------------------------

               MA Total: 5yrs 12 months = 6 years


Thus, the child MA would be 6 years though he is chronologically 5 years old. Thus mental age basal age + partial credit or fractional credit for the items up to the terminal age.


3. Basal Age

Basal age is that age of the child where he or she can solve all questions in a given test. It is the basal age which helps in the calculation of mental age. Suppose a child is 5 year age (CA). He solves all questions in a given test meant for a child of 6 and 7 years and solves only one question out of 6 questions in a test of 8 years and unable to solve any of the questions of 9 years. Thus his basal age is 7 years 2 months though his CA is 5 years.


4. The Concept of I.Q.

Intelligence Quotient is the ratio between mental age and chronological age multiplied by 100. Symbolically it is called I.Q. I.Q. is calculated with the formula, i.e., I.Q.= MA/CA x 100. In the year 1916 Stern gave us this concept to CA know the degree of brightness or dullness. It is a method of defining relative intelligence because IQ is independent of the scores which he happens to make at a particular age.

It has been observed by Terman in 1916 revision test that individual mental age increases along with his chronological age up to 16 years. Though the CA goes on increasing yet for the purpose of calculation of IQ, chronological age may be taken as 16 years. Again in the 1937 scale, Terman assumed that for computing IQ, the CA for all adults was taken as 16. Since mental growth continues beyond the age 16, the highest chronological age included in the IQ tables is 18, in the 1960 scales. Accordingly the CA of any adult taking the test is taken as 18 for computing the IQ. Thus Intelligence Quotient in fact a ratio of the physical and the mental age of the child or ratio of mental growth or the rate of mental growth of a child.


Limitations of 1.Q.


1. IQs on one test are not comparable to those obtained on another test. 

2. IQ in case of adults are only hypothetical and are open to doubt. 

3. IQ. tells the rate of maturity but two children having an I.Q. of 120. may not be equally mature. 

4. The difference between an I.Q. of 70 and 80 is not the same as the difference between an I.Q. of 110 and 120.

March 31, 2023

Comparison Between Classical And Opreant Conditioning



COMPARISON BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND OPERANT CONDITIONING


    Classical Conditioning                                                               Operant Conditioning

                                                                              

1. It was developed by Russian Physiologist               1. It was developed by B.F Skinner.       Ivan P. Pavlov.

2. It is known as Respondent/ Types or signal             2. It is known as Type R/Instrumental  conditioning.                                                                 conditioning.                                     

3. In classical conditioning the CR and UCR              3. In operant conditioning they are       are the same.                                                                different, i.e.. pressing the lever is                                                                                              different from eating food.

4. In classical conditioning reinforcement                   4. In operant conditioning the response is provided by the unconditioned stimulus.                  causes conditioned reinforcement to                                                                                          appear. 

5. In classical conditioning the association                  5. In operant conditioning association between (S-R) is on the basis of law of                       between (S-R) is on the basis of law    contiguity.                                                                     of effect.

6. Reinforcement, i.e., food is presented                      6. Reinforcement is provided after the first to elicit the response here.                                     response is made by the organism. 

7. The essence of learning is stimulus                          7. The essence of learning is response substitution.                                                                   modification.

8. In this type of conditioning beginning is                  8. Here beginning is made with the made with the help of specific stimull that bring                        responses occur naturally.  certain responses.

9. It is stimulus oriented.                                               9. It is response oriented.

10. Classical conditioning is limited to                         10. Operant conditioning is limited to  autonomic response.                                                     skeletal behaviour.              


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