Examination of an extension of Guttman's model of ability tests

Abstract

An extension of Guttman’s structural model of ability tests was devised and investigated with two samples consisting, respectively, of 335 and 225 males. The examinees in the first sample came for vocational guidance after their military service and were administered a 17-test battery. The second sample consisted of applicants for various jobs in an organization and were administered a 14-test battery. For each sample, a matrix of intercorrelations between scores was obtained based on the number of correct responses. The matrices were submitted to Guttman-Lingoes Smallest Space Analysis. The two-dimensional structure found was a radex in which (1) the facet of the language of presentation radially divided the space and (2) the facet of mental operation formed concentric rings. The significance of these findings for theoretical and applied problems relating to ability tests is discussed.