Relationship between scores on the Gorham proverbs test and the Arlin test of formal reasoning.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to Investigate the relationships between the Proverbs Test (PT) and the Arlin Test of Formal Reasoning (ATFR) and its eight subtests. Additional issues explored were the ?ercentage of college students in a small midwestern university performing at formal operational levels and whether there were significant differences in performance on the two tests by males and females. A sample of 56 sUbjects (17 males and 39 females) between the ages of 18-20 was drawn from four sections of a beginning level psychology course. Both tests were administered to each subject. The scores obtained on the Proverbs Test, the ATFR and its eight subtests were recorded for each sUbject, as were each sUbject's age and gender. Pearson product-moment correlational coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between the ATFR Total score, the eight ATFR Subtest scores, and the Proverbs Test Abstract, Concrete and Adjusted scores. In addition, t-tests were computed to determine any significant differences in performance on the two tests by males and females. Subjects were categorized into five cognitive levels as assessed by the ATFR and the percentage of students at each level was determined. Also calculated was the percentage of college students who were performing at the formal operational level. The relationships between the ATFR Total score and the Proverbs Test Abstract and Adjusted scores were found to be significant. The relationship between the Proverbs Test Concrete score and the ATFR Total score was a significant negative one. The Proverbs Test Abstract score correlated significantly with scores on the ATFR Subtests II, Correlations; IV, Combinational Reasoning; and VI, Forms of Conservation. The Proverbs Adjusted score also correlated significantly with the above ATFR Subtest scores with the addition of Subtest III, Probability. A significant negative correlation was found between the Proverbs Test Concrete score and and the score on the ATFR Subtest III, Probability. No scores on the Proverbs Test correlated significantly with scores on the ATFR Subtests I, MUltiplicative Compensations; VII, Mechanical Equilibrium; or VIII,Frames of Reference. Significant differences were found between male and female group means on the ATFR Total score as well as scores on the ATFR Subtests I, MUltiplicative Compensations; V, Proportional Reasoning; and VIII, Frames of Reference. There were no significant differences between male and female group means on the Proverbs Test. The small population, homogeneity of the data, and the limited age and intellectual range call for further study to generalize results. It is suggested, therefore, that further research is needed.