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Some Relationships Between Conceptual Complexity and Mental Abilities NICHD

Author(s):
Reed, Samuel C.
Publication Year:
1966
Report Number:
RB-66-33
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
97
Subject/Key Words:
National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Naval Research, Cognitive Ability, Cognitive Processes, Difficulty Level, Intelligence, Paragraph Completion Test, Predictive Measurement

Abstract

The main purpose of the present study was to explore the relationships between a measure of conceptual complexity--the Paragraph Completion Test (PCT)--and measures of several established abilities. A battery of tests was administered to 189 high school s students. The PCT was given twice during the testing sessions. Estimates of the reliability of the PCT were computed using an internal consistency method and the test-retest procedure. Multiple regression analyses were performed using the ability tests as independent variables and the two administrations of the PCT as dependent variables. Two factor analyses were performed on the intercorrelation matrix of the ability tests and the conceptual complexity tests. The factor analysis identified a factor marked by the PCT. This was interpreted as suggesting the existence of a capability of the subjects not being measured by the ability tests.

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