Measure Your Mind: The Mentimeter and How to Use ItTrabue, Marion Rex
Science
Measure Your Mind: The Mentimeter and How to Use It
Trabue, Marion Rex
Educational tests and measurements; Intelligence tests; Psychological tests
The stencils, which are supplied with each package of test booklets,
should be placed to the left of the five geometrical figures and
comparison should be made between the dotted lines of the stencil and
the marks made by the candidate in the corresponding figure on the
examination sheet. In the first square, for example, full credit should
be given whether the line is drawn horizontally or vertically through
the figure. The important thing is that two equal rectangles should be
created by drawing a single line. Similarly, for each other figure, the
important point to be considered is whether or not the lines drawn do
form the geometrical figures shown on the left. A little practice will
make it possible for the clerk who scores these tests to lay aside the
key itself and to carry it in memory.
Various forms of this test have been used by psychologists for a number
of years, although its most extensive use was in the Beta series of the
United States Army. The same test in modified form was used by Prof. E.
L. Thorndike in his tests of mental alertness in the air service. Many
individuals were found who could do this test fairly well without being
able to succeed with some of the others which were supposedly equally as
good for general purposes. On the other hand, many individuals of good
general ability were found who seemed lacking in the particular type of
ability necessary properly to divide these geometrical figures. On the
whole, however, the more intelligent men made higher scores than the
less intelligent men. Such low relationship between this particular test
and other tests of intelligence makes it particularly useful as one of a
series to be used for measuring the intelligence of men entering certain
mechanical trades where the recognition of the size and shape of objects
is of prime importance. Draftsmen, architects, supply clerks, and
candidates for similar positions would probably be rated more accurately
by this test than would writers, musicians, and academic students.
In the public schools such a test might give some indication of the
ability of children to succeed in mechanical or mathematical courses of
study. In social gatherings, a great deal of amusement might be found by
giving prizes to the individuals completing the entire fifteen figures
correctly and in the shortest time. It would seem desirable, however, to
omit the time limit when it is used for pure entertainment and to
measure with a stop-watch the exact amount of time required for the
individual. When all had finished the fifteen elements of the test, the
papers could be checked up for accuracy and the prize could be given to
the one who had finished correctly in the shortest length of time. This
will add an element of interest for it is quite certain that some of
those who finished first will have made errors, probably through
careless execution, and that someone who finished later in the game will
have drawn each line correctly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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