Army_Alpha_and_Beta_Tests

Abstract At the onset of World War I, an event occurred that would significantly alter the method by which psychological testing was conducted. This event was the development of the Army Alpha and Beta tests. With these tests came the ability to test large groups of individuals at one time. These tests paved the way for the development of countless other psychological tests. Army Alpha and Beta Tests Countless events in history have influenced the development of psychological testing. One of the most influential of these events was the development of the Army Alpha and Beta tests. A description of the development of these tests will be provided. The significance of these tests in the field of psychology as well as the fields of education and industry will also be examined. An explanation of how this test has influenced the future development of psychological testing will also be given. Event and Historical Roots In April 1917 Robert M. Yerkes, the president of the American Psychological Association, was asked by the United States Army to begin the development of tests that could measure the individual’s ability to be a good soldier (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). Information gained would also be used to place individuals in the job for which they were best suited. The placement of recruits in the best job for their abilities meant an improved use of human resources. Yerkes appointed a team of psychologists to 13 different committees to accomplish this goal (Geisinger, 2000). Other psychologists on these committees included such men as Terman and Goddard. Within a few weeks, the committees developed two different assessment tools, the Army Alpha and Beta that were “heavily borrowed from the work of one psychologist of the day, Arthur S. Otis” (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010, p. 118). Both tests were administered to groups of recruits rather than individually (Crooks & Stein, 1988). Recruits, who could read were administered the Army Alpha test. Included in the Alpha test were tasks such as general information, synonym-antonym pairs, mathematical reasoning, scrambled sentences, practical judgment, and following oral directions. The Beta test, on the other hand was administered to recruits who were either unable to read or who spoke languages other than English. Items on this test included motor tests, and tasks of visual-perception (Crooks & Stein, 1988). Significance of Event According to Richard Von Mayrhauser, the Army Alpha and Beta tests were responsible 4for creating increased interest in the field of psychology by opening the door to group intelligence testing (Von Mayrhauser, 1989). These tests were significant in the development of future psychological tests in several ways. One way was that experience was gained from these tests about how psychological tests should be constructed. Another way these tests were significant was that the increased computations of correlation coefficients were made possible through the Alpha and Beta tests. The ability to analyze test data was possible using multiple correlations were made possible as well (Geisinger, 2000). The Alpha and Beta tests helped to move psychological testing into the science of today. The Army Alpha and Beta tests were developed using several concepts that are still used in the current development of psychological tests. One concept is the importance of control in the administration of the test (Geisinger, 2000). Mistakes in administration can lead to inaccurate results. The second concept is that individuals with special needs can receive special accommodations. For example if an individual cannot read, special accommodations can be made so that the individual can take the test. The ease with which tests could be administered to groups of individuals also “radically changed the testing movement in the United States” (Geisinger, 2000, p. 118). Individual testing was the only option prior to World War I. Group testing made psychological testing more efficient and more economical. These types of tests have become widespread which can be beneficial because it can produce large quantities of information efficiently. Finally, group tests can easily be adapted for different cultures and languages (Geisinger, 2000). However, psychological testing is not without limitations. One limitation is that no ready-made test exists that “can be applied in an automatic manner and interpreted off-hand in a mechanical way” (Starch, 1922, p. 79). Each series of tests must be designed for the specific job qualifications required in order to be most effective. Another limitation is that assessment instruments usually test for intelligence or general ability. Whereas this is pertinent information, other characteristics must also be considered. Effects of Event After World War I, these intelligence tests were released for use in the public setting. Once released to the public, the Alpha and Beta tests became the basis for countless group tests. This also brought with it the use of group testing in countless other areas. Since the administration, scoring, and applications of these tests could be done by almost anyone, they were in high demand. Colleges, public school systems, and business organizations were eager to use these tests. Aptitude tests, scholastic achievement tests, and college entrance examinations have all been developed through the example set by the Alpha and Beta tests. The Army Alpha and Beta tests brought about changes in industry. Testing the potential employees became popular in an effort to determine an individual’s abilities and his or her level of maladjustment. Understanding an individual’s personality could create a better use of human resources. The prevention of future issues in the workplace is also possible through the information gained through the use of psychological testing. Conclusion The Army Alpha and Beta tests have affected psychological testing in a positive manner. Two of the most significant tests in history, they have increased both the interest in psychology and the development of other tests. These tests have historical roots in the work of Arthur S. Otis. Yerkes and his committees used this work to create assessments that could test large groups of recruits in a short time. The development of the Army Alpha and Beta tests has been extremely beneficial to the field of psychology.   References Cohen, R. J., & Swerdlik, M. E. (2010). Psychological testing and assessment (7th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. Crooks, R. L., & Stein, J. (1988). Psychology: Science, behavior, and life. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. Geisinger, K. F. (2000). Psychological testing at the end of the millennium: A brief historical review. Professional Psychology: research and Practice, 31(2), 117-118. Gibby, R. E., & Zickar, M. J. (2008). A history of the early days of personality testing in American industry: An obsession with adjustment. History of Psychology, 11(3), 164-184. Starch, D. (1922). The use and limitations of psychological tests. Harvard Business Review, 1(1), 71-80. Von Mayrhauser, R. T. (1989). Making intelligence functional: Walter Dill Scott and applied psychological testing in World War I.. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 25(1), 60-72.