Psychology · Ch 1 — Variations in Psychological Attributes
Verbal, Non-Verbal, or Performance Tests
Verbal, Non-Verbal, or Performance Tests
Concept First
Intelligence tests can be classified not only by what they measure (e.g., verbal ability, spatial reasoning) but also by how they ask the test-taker to respond. The medium of response — words, pictures, or physical manipulation — defines three major categories: verbal, non-verbal, and performance tests. Many real-world intelligence tests combine items from all three categories, but understanding each type separately reveals important differences in who can take the test and what abilities it taps.
Verbal Tests
Verbal tests require the subject to give responses using language — either spoken (oral) or written. Because reading and writing are essential, these tests can be administered only to literate people. This is a significant limitation: anyone who cannot read or write, regardless of their actual intelligence, will be unable to demonstrate their ability on a purely verbal test.
Non-Verbal Tests
Non-verbal tests use pictures or illustrations as test items. The test-taker does not need to read or write; instead, they interpret visual patterns and select answers from visual options.
The most famous example is Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM) Test. In this test, the subject examines an incomplete pattern and chooses, from a set of alternatives, the figure that will correctly complete the pattern. The test is entirely visual and requires no language at all.
Raven’s Progressive Matrices is widely considered a culture-fair test because it minimises the influence of language and formal education.
Performance Tests
Performance tests require the subject to manipulate objects and other materials to perform a task. Written language is not necessary for answering the items — the test-taker acts on physical materials rather than writing or speaking.
A classic example is Kohs’ Block Design Test. The test consists of a number of wooden blocks. The subject is asked to arrange the blocks within a time limit to produce a given design. Success depends on spatial reasoning, planning, and motor coordination, not on verbal ability.
A major advantage of performance tests is that they can be easily administered to persons from different cultures. Because they do not rely on language or culturally specific knowledge, they reduce the cultural bias that often affects verbal tests.
Summary of Key Features
| Test Type | Medium of Response | Literacy Required? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Oral or written words | Yes | Most conventional IQ test items |
| Non-Verbal | Pictures / illustrations | No | Raven’s Progressive Matrices |
| Performance | Manipulation of objects | No | Kohs’ Block Design Test |
A Note on Misuse of Intelligence Tests
The textbook includes a cautionary box (Box 1.1) that is directly relevant here. Intelligence tests — of any type — can be misused, especially by untrained testers. Some of the ill-effects listed include:
- Poor performance on a test may attach a stigma to children, adversely affecting their performance and self-respect. …