Application of the Information Processing Approach to the Design of a Non‐verbal Reasoning Test

S ummary . A major criticism of currently available psychometric tests, particularly those purporting to measure general intelligence, is that they were constructed without any theoretical rationale for the choice of item types (e.g., Levy and Goldstein, 1983). This paper attempts to evolve such a rationale for one particular purpose; namely, the development of a non‐verbal reasoning test for 10‐ to 11‐year‐olds. In order to achieve this end, both traditional psychometric approaches to intelligence and recent work by cognitive psychologists are examined. It is found necessary to analyse critically the nature of the ability which is to be tested. Following this, some recent studies are outlined which may provide a basis for analysing the structure of items within each chosen type. The potential benefits of analysing items at a sub‐type level are discussed, both in terms of theoretical and practical considerations

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Criticism · Test (biology) · Verbal reasoning · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Psychology