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An empirical study of the weigl‐goldstein‐scheerer color‐form test according to a developmental frame of reference
Author(s) -
Strauss Helen,
Lewin Isaac
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198204)38:2<367::aid-jclp2270380226>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - psychology , test (biology) , sorting , flexibility (engineering) , frame (networking) , developmental psychology , card sorting , hierarchy , a priori and a posteriori , cognitive psychology , statistics , mathematics , computer science , algorithm , task (project management) , epistemology , market economy , paleontology , telecommunications , philosophy , management , economics , biology
Analyzed the Weigl‐Goldstein‐Scheerer Color‐Form Test (Goldstein & Scheerer, 1941) according to a developmental frame of reference. Three dimensions were distinguished in the reactions to the test: Configuration of sorting, verbalization of the sorting principle, and the flexibility of switching sorting principle. Each of these dimensions was assumed to constitute a developmental gradient, the steps of which were operationally defined according to a developmental, composite model of concept formation (Strauss & Lewin, in press). The test was administered to a sample ( N = 163) of children aged 5, 7, 9, and 11 years. The ages were chosen so as to cover the end of the preoperational subperiod and the stage of concrete operations. The hypotheses were borne out at large: The three dimensions proved themselves to constitute the a‐priori‐defined gradients; flexibility of switching sorting principle was basic to development as hypothesized. Thus, the results of the test indicate a regression hierarchy among the reactions to the test. Similarly, the study of the reactions to the Color‐Form Test constitutes an empirical validation of the greater part of our composite, developmental model.