PSYC37H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: James Mckeen Cattell, Brass Instrument, Johann Spurzheim
Document Summary
Chapter 2 topic 2 a the origins of psychological testing. Psychological testing in its modern form originated little more than one hundred years ago in laboratory studies of sensory discrimination, motor skills, and reaction time. British genius francis galton invented the first battery of tests, a peculiar assortment of sensory and motor measures. Rudimentary forms of testing in china in 2200 b. c. The chinese emperor had his officials examine every third year to determine their fitness for office. Such testing was modified and refined until written exams were introduced by the han dynasty and five topics were tested: civil law, military affairs, agriculture, and geography. The testing practices of the chinese were unnecessarily gruelling, and they failed to validate their selection procedures. The examination program did incorporate relevant selection criteria penmanship. Physiognomy is based on the notion that we can judge the inner character of people from their outward appearance, especially their face.
