Kohs Block Design Test

This technique is used for psychodiagnostics, the results of which determine mental abilities and personality traits of a person. The technique can be applied in relation to adults and children of five years and older.

Technique "Kohs Blocks" and its application

This method is used to diagnose various deviations from the norm. Below are the categories of diseases and features under which the subjects fall:

• schizophrenia;
• developmental disorders in children;
• increased ability level;
• neurosis in childhood.

The technique is also used in tests of professional fitness and identification of intellectual potential.

When working with children, the technique helps to form attention, and also develops spatial thinking from an early age.

The principle of operation of the “Kohs Cubes” technique and its description

The essence of the work method does not change when working with adults or children, but has a different form of holding, depending on the age of the subject. During the test, special cubes with colored edges are used, with their help it is necessary to perform various tasks. Complete with cubes are additionally used cards with the tasks specified in them. The number of parts used in the test may vary, depending on the situation and the subject. The standard set has 16 parts, usually 9 are used when working with children.

Print Kohs cubes with assignments.

When conducting a test with children, the main task of the child is to fold the cubes on the pattern indicated. The level of complexity of the patterns are different from each other and are given alternately in a predetermined sequence. After testing is completed, the time spent on solving problems is taken into account.

There are some recommendations for a more successful test when applying the technique:

• Before starting the test, it is necessary to study together all the elements, examine what color they are, and what task is indicated on the card;
• Before the child starts the task, it is necessary to ask how he will carry it out and in what sequence;
• A positive result is noted if during the assignment the child explains the sequence of actions;
• if difficulties arise in solving a task, it is necessary to prompt the correct decision or show how to do it;
• to achieve a positive solution, the number of exercises is not limited.

Previously, before the start of testing, it is possible to note a positive result, if the child tells or shows all the elements necessary to build the pattern.

The established norms of time, and the values ​​of the patterns, are indicated in the test protocol, they are used to record the final results.

Features arising during the tests and their value:

• Difficulties arise in the course of the assignment, or the child cannot solve it at all even after the solution is shown — this indicates a deviation in visual coordination;
• The importance of the beginning and the choice of the first element — before starting the test, you need to carefully monitor: which cube was taken first, at what angle and color attention was paid, how long it took, and whether there were comparisons with other elements;
• In the process of performing the task, the subject is inattentive, cannot be determined in actions, uses non-standard methods of solution — the nature and degree of the personality is determined by these criteria;
• When performing a task, you must follow the movements and their number. The minimum number of movements and perfect actions indicates a well-developed visual coordination, as well as a high ability of constructive thinking;
• When conducting a test, they use complicated tasks — these are tasks that cause difficulties in solving, unlike the others, and take more time. A similar technique is practiced to increase the level of abstract thinking;
• The phenomenon of ignoring — occurs in the process of performing the task and there may be two types. In one case, the color is ignored and another is chosen instead of one; in the second, the image form is ignored. Instead of the one specified in the task, the other is laid out.

The test data is mainly used to determine constructive thinking, which in turn involves spatial analysis. According to the results of testing, you can identify a number of pathologies and mental disorders. The test results are stored in the clinic for a long time and are a priority indicator in the treatment of severe forms of mental disorders.