Culture Fair Intelligence Test by R.Cattell

Explore how this cognitive science theory connects to brain training, mental performance and the development of skills such as memory, attention, reasoning and flexible thinking.

Culture Fair Intelligence Test was developed in 1949 by Raymond Bernard Cattell based on the concept of the psychological meaning of intelligence. According to this concept, intelligence has a two-phase model:

"Free". Due to biological determinants. The development of abilities within the framework of this intelligence is not connected with the acquisition of ZUN or active mental functions - they are the result of the formation of logical connections and mental operations.
"Connected". Developed on the basis of "free" intelligence. Directly associated with the knowledge and skills acquired in the process of various activities (gaming, educational, professional, communicational). The “connected” intelligence is influenced by specific personality traits: interests, hobbies, values, motivations, and so on.

The R. Cattell test is designed to measure precisely the “free” intellect, which manifests itself through the ability of a person to perceive in the process of performing specific sensory tasks.

Test varieties

Variants of fair intelligence test:

Modification 1. Used to study the intelligence of children 4-8 years. Effective in diagnosing mental disorders.
Modification 2. Applicable in the study of children from 8 years and average adults.
Modification 3. Optimal for studying high intellectual abilities.

Structure of R. Cattell’s technique

The most common test in the second modification consists of 2 parts by 4 subtests:

1st — "addition". The choice of the shape of the proposed, which would continue the logical sequence. Difficulty — ascending.

2nd — "classification." Definition of a shape that differs from the rest of the series in a number of ways.

3rd — "matrix". Complicated version of the 1st subtest: the choice of a figure for the continuation of a logical chain of several rows: horizontal, vertical, diagonal.

4th — "topology". Search for a geometric object with a point inside, which could take the position of the sample figure, based on the analysis of the location of the point in individual figures.

The test has high validity and reliability. It has passed standardization in the USA, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria.