Raven's Progressive Matrices, one of the tests most used by psychologists worldwide due to its great efficiency, dynamism and versatility, which is evident at first sight.
What is Raven's Progressive Matrices test?
In the course of the history of psychology, the correct way to measure and study human intelligence in the greatest possible depth has been investigated, for what has been a topic of discussion, reaching in several cases the conclusion that intelligence it is determined by the specific area in which it is applied directly.
What is the “G” Factor?
In the year 1938, the English psychologist John c. Raven, set himself the task of devising a test capable of measuring intelligence in a much more globalized way; with the aim of calculating or, better said, quantifying the G factor of intelligence. Though primarily focused (at least initially) on United States Army officers.
The main thing we need to know about Raven's progressive matrix test, is the meaning of the “G” factor of intelligence.
When talking about this topic, we give way to the "G" factor as one of the parts of intelligence that can be extrapolated to various aspects or areas of daily life and various tasks that require the application of intelligence.
Which tells us that it is the most generalized part of intelligence, the most global, it is the ability to solve problems in any field that the person faces, in any environment and in any circumstance.
It is understood that it is generalized because it is applicable to every aspect in which an intellectual element is required.
Classification of the «G» factor
In the same way, the intelligence of a person is sought in three different ways necessary to classify the G factor of intelligence in a more appropriate way. These are:
Arrays in general scale
For individuals between 12 and 65 years of age with average intellectual abilities. This is the most used in all aspects, as it is the most successful for people in most cases.
progressive arrays
Using colors for children between the ages of 3 and 8 with intellectual diversities.
advanced arrays
Applied in order to evaluate people with above-average intellectual abilities. When passing this type of test, another type of test should be done immediately to determine more accurately their degree of intelligence.
Characteristics of Raven's Progressive Matrices
Below we will present some of the characteristics of the Raven matrices, so that you are more informed:
Objective
The direct functionality of Raven's progressive matrices is that which determines the intellectual capacity of an individual without the need for prior knowledge of any kind of general culture.
Material
The test makes available to the psychologist: cards and geometric shapes (they can be abstract and incomplete) in such a way that they are supplied to the individual; gradually and with a standard of increasing difficulty during the course of the test.
Administration
This test is manipulable in terms of its administration or self-administration, for which it can be administered both individually and collectively.
The general duration of the test ranges from 30 to 60 minutes, although the average completes this test in a stipulated time of 45 minutes in a calm environment and without any distractions beyond those necessary.
reliability and validity
The reliability and validity of the Raven's progressive matrix According to the estimation scale forged under the formulas of Kunder Richardson and the evaluative criteria of Terman Merril, reliability was 0.87-0.81, and validity was 0.86.
In what settings is this test administered?
It is a very flexible test in terms of applications. Well, it's very general and easy to play, meaning that you don't need an unnecessary amount of resources or possibilities.
Most of the time, it is used in places such as: psychological clinics, teaching sites, personnel selection, job orientation centers, militancy and defense; among others.
Objective Of The Test
The main function of this test is to quantify the educational abilities of a person, regardless of the degree of culture they possess.
This factor refers to the ease of the person in finding similarities, relationships, sequences or any type of identifiable element within the given information, in a disorganized and unstructured way.
Using analogical reasoning, as one of the main components, without the need to have prior knowledge of the individual or any level of culture evident at first sight.
Education is one of the most important springs when talking about the cognitive level of an individual. The test of Raven's progressive matrices it is designed to challenge and accurately measure a person's perceptive, analytical, and cognitive qualities.
In addition to emphasizing abstraction; that the person is able to use this and the understanding; as the ability of an individual to reduce the less important aspects within a topic, with the aim of creating based on it a concept or definition with its most relevant elements.
What is this test based on? Spearman's two-factor theory
Charls Spearman is the psychologist behind the bifactorial theory of intelligence (theory on which intelligence is based). Raven's progressive matrices test). This divides the intelligence of the human being into two parts, which are:
The G Factor or General Factor
The «G» factor is specified, in the most globalized intelligence of the person. The intelligence that can be applied in more areas and in different fields, by solving a problem of any kind.
We refer to the «G» factor as an element that is very specific to each individual, in the same way it is believed that this element can be hereditary. It is also very evident from research that this part of intelligence is present throughout the life of the individual.
The S Factor or Special Factor
It refers to those qualities or capacity of an individual, in solving a problem, in a very specific branch that cannot be transferred to other areas. They are skills that a person acquires throughout his life, either through practice or the individual's own talent.
It differs mainly from the general factor since it is very variable depending on the education in certain skills that each person has, in this way we can conclude that it is very associable from the knowledge of the individual in a very personal way.
So that you can delve into other topics, we invite you to read the following link: Brain hemispheres