The question is, therefore, to decide whether a given response contains as much and as good interpretation as we have a right to expect at the age level where the test has been placed. It is imperative for any one who would use the scale correctly to acquaint himself thoroughly with the procedure and standards described above.
XII, 8. Giving similarities, three things
Procedure. The procedure is the same as in [VIII, 4], but with the following words:—
- Snake, cow, sparrow.
- Book, teacher, newspaper.
- Wool, cotton, leather.
- Knife-blade, penny, piece of wire.
- Rose, potato, tree.
As before, a little tactful urging is occasionally necessary in order to secure a response.
Scoring. Three satisfactory responses out of five are necessary for success. Any real similarity is acceptable, whether fundamental or superficial, although the giving of fundamental likenesses is especially symptomatic of good intelligence.
Failures may be classified under four heads: (1) Leaving one of the words out of consideration; (2) giving a difference instead of a similarity; (3) giving a similarity that is not real or that is too bizarre or far-fetched; and (4) inability to respond. Types (1), (3), and (4) are almost equally numerous, while type (2) is not often encountered at this level of intelligence.
This test provokes doubtful responses somewhat oftener than the earlier test of giving similarities. Those giving greatest difficulty are the indefinite statements like “All are useful,” “All are made of the same material,” etc. Fortunately, in most of these cases an additional question is sufficient to determine whether the subject has in mind a real similarity. Questions suitable for this purpose are: “Explain what you mean,” “In what respect are they all useful?” “What material do you mean?” etc. Of course it is only permissible to make use of supplementary questions of this kind when they are necessary in order to clarify a response which has already been made.
While the amateur examiner is likely to have more or less trouble in deciding upon scores, this difficulty rapidly disappears with experience. The following samples of satisfactory and unsatisfactory responses will serve as a fairly adequate guide in dealing with doubtful cases:—
(a) Snake, cow, sparrow
Satisfactory. “All are animals” (or creatures, etc.). “All live on the land.” “All have blood” (or flesh, bones, eyes, skin, etc.). “All move about.” “All breathe air.” “All are useful” (plus only if subject can give a use which they have in common). “All have a little intelligence” (or sense, instinct, etc.).
Unsatisfactory. “All have legs.” “All are dangerous.” “All feed on grain” (or grass, etc.). “All are much afraid of man.” “All frighten you.” “All are warm-blooded.” “All get about the same way.” “All walk on the ground.” “All can bite.” “All holler.” “All drink water.” “A snake crawls, a cow walks, and a sparrow flies” (or some other difference). “They are not alike.”
(b) Book, teacher, newspaper
Satisfactory. “All teach.” “You learn from all.” “All give you information.” “All help you get an education.” “All are your good friends” (plus if subject can explain how). “All are useful” (plus if subject can explain how).
Unsatisfactory. “All tell you the news.” “A teacher writes, and a book and newspaper have writing.” “They are not alike.” “All read.” “All use the alphabet.”
(c) Wool, cotton, leather
Satisfactory. “All used for clothing.” “We wear them all.” “All grow” (plus if subject can explain). “All have to be sent to the factory to be made into things.” “All are useful” (plus if subject can give a use which all have in common). “All are valuable” (plus if explained).
Unsatisfactory. “All come from plants.” “All grow on animals.” “All came off the top of something.” “All are things.” “They are pretty.” “All spell alike.” “All are furry” (or soft, hard, etc.).
(d) Knife-blade, penny, piece of wire
Satisfactory. “All are made from minerals” (or metals). “All come from mines.” “All are hard material.”
Unsatisfactory. “All are made of steel” (or copper, iron, etc.). “All are made of the same metal.” “All cut.” “All bend easily.” “All are used in building a house.” “All are worthless.” “All are useful in fixing things.” “All have an end.” “They are small.” “All weigh the same.” “Can get them all at a hardware store.” “You can buy things with all of them.” “You buy them with money.” “One is sharp, one is round, and one is long” (or some other difference).
Such answers as “All are found in a boy’s pocket,” or “Boys like them,” are not altogether bad, but hardly deserve to be called satisfactory. “All are useful” is minus unless the subject can give a use which they have in common, which in this case he is not likely to do. Bizarre uses are also minus; as, “All are good for a watch fob,” “Can use all for paper weights,” etc.
(e) Rose, potato, tree
Satisfactory. “All are plants.” “All grow from the ground.” “All have leaves” (or roots, etc.). “All have to be planted.” “All are parts of nature.” “All have colors.”
Unsatisfactory. “All are pretty.” “All bear fruit.” “All have pretty flowers.” “All grow on bushes.” “All are valuable” (or useful). “They grow close to a house.” “All are ornamental.” “All are shrubbery.”