Score Sheet, Kelley Test

Description:

This is the score sheet for a test of constructive ability developed by Truman L. Kelley (1884-1961) while he was working at the University of Texas. Born in Michigan, he had received an A.B. and M.A. from the University of Illinois and a PhD. from Columbia University. He would spend 1914 through 1917 in Texas, then return to Columbia, spending over a decade at Stanford University and finish his career as a professor at Harvard.

According to a 1916 paper, Kelley sought a test of the ability to initiate a problem that was independent of school training or familiarity with language. Toward that end, he developed a set of blocks, slats, and screws that could be arranged to form a variety of structures. He also developed a score sheet – this object – for ranking a subject’s dominance, symmetry, interest in building or playing, merit, and completeness. Those taking the test were allowed to build several structures and ranked on each one, as the score sheet suggests. Results were compared to structures built by boys of a similar age. Kelley also gave the test to 250 boys at the Texas State Juvenile Training School for delinquent boys for comparison purposes.

This version of the score sheet was published by C.H. Stoelting Company of Chicago. It is undated.

References:

John C. Flanagan, “Truman Lee Kelley,” Psychometrika, 1961, 26, pp. 343–45.

Kelley, T. L., “A Constructive Ability Test,” Journal of Educational Psychology, 1916, 7 #1, pp. 1-16. For an image of the score sheet, see p. 4.

“Truman Kelley, 76, Taught at Harvard,” New York Times, May 3, 1961.

Maker: C. H. Stoelting Company

Location: Currently not on view

Subject: MathematicsPsychological Tests

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Science & Mathematics

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Samuel Kavruck

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1990.0034.012Catalog Number: 1990.0034.012Accession Number: 1990.0034

Object Name: score sheet

Physical Description: paper (overall material)Measurements: overall: .1 cm x 21.5 cm x 14 cm; 1/32 in x 8 15/32 in x 5 1/2 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-1a45-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_692301

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