Raven’s progressive matrices test, what is it for?

The Raven’s progressive matrices test is one of the most used instruments to measure analogical reasoning, abstraction capacity and perception.. Thus, his 60 questions allow us to evaluate the “g” factor of intelligence proposed by Spearman, those more general mental and cognitive processes where we usually give more or less effective answers to everyday problems.

Let’s admit it, most of us have had this instrument passed on to us at some point. It is usually applied on a regular basis in educational centers and in personnel selection tests.. Likewise, today it is also common for it to be part of the psychotechnical tests in the selection processes for different professions.

Given its contexts of application, we may often view this test with some discomfort, as that known enemy that has been a challenge at different times in our lives, whether for academic or work reasons. However, also There are those who watch Raven’s progressive matrices test with deep interest because they enjoy solving those little puzzleswhere to identify patterns, where to solve series, where to infer, where to refine perceptions and abstractions…

Be that as it may, one thing is clear. The measurement of IQ (intelligence quotient) continues to have clear relevance today and in most of our contexts. Beyond whether or not we accept Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligencesin day-to-day life this unitary vision of intelligence is much more prioritized where to measure in human beings their logical reasoning, problem-solving or critical thinking abilities.

Raven’s progressive matrices test is an example of the latter, where measure abstract reasoning and that fluid intelligence that Cattell told us about at the time and that allows us, in the end, to solve the most everyday problems. Perhaps in the future things will change and psychotechnical tests will be articulated differently.

Nevertheless, It should be said that these types of instruments are not without their interest and, above all, their usefulness.. Let’s see it in detail.

Raven’s progressive matrices test, what is it for?

The Progressive Matrices test was created by JC Raven in 1938 to measure the “g” factor of intelligence.. The design of this psychometric test sought one objective: to evaluate US Army officers. However, it did not take long to see its usefulness and validity for evaluating intelligence in general regardless of the knowledge acquired.

Benefits of the Raven progressive matrices test compared to other tests

It can be applied to children and adults, regardless of their cultural level or if the person has communication or motor problems.It is a very economical test to administer.In general, it tends to be interesting and entertaining for most people (there is involvement and motivation). It requires “gestalt” attention as well as analogical reasoning where the person must apply exploratory behavior, a comparative behavior and use several of them at the same time. sources of information to complete the matrices.

Likewise, one of the greatest benefits of the Raven progressive matrices test is the speed with which we obtain valid information about the cognitive functioning of the adult or child.

On the other hand, something important must be said. The creator of the test himself, John Raven, made it clear that This test should not be used exclusively to measure a person’s intelligence. Other sources of information must be provided, so that the evaluation can be much more powerful and its results more solid.

How to perform Raven’s progressive matrices test

The test is made up of 60 multiple choice questions, organized by different order of difficulty. As we already know, a series of abstract and incomplete geometric figures are used that the person must solve, trying to give meaning to a material that is at first glance, confusing or disorganized.

In general, About 45 minutes are usually left for completion, enough time for the child or adult to put into practice what we know as eduction capacity.. It is a process that is characterized by the following:

The capacity for eduction is based on finding relationships and correlates when what we have before us is a type of information that, at first glance, is disorganized. Likewise, This type of intellectual ability requires that we make comparisons, deductions, mental representations, that we apply analogical reasoning and the principle of logic.

All of this shapes the “g” factor defined at the time by Charles Spearman and which is in turn considered a valid predictor of intelligence in general.

Raven’s Progressive Matrices and the Flynn Effect

Rossi-Casé and his research team (2015) published a study on the Flynn effect in Raven’s progressive matrices. But what does this effect consist of? In a very summary way, This effect consists of the fact that with generation changes our score on IQ tests increases.. The explanation for this phenomenon would lie in the improvement of schooling, advances in medicine, correct nutrition, having a rich and varied environment, etc.

Rossi-Casé and his research team (2015) , investigated the relationship between Raven’s progressive matrices and the Flynn Effect. The The results showed that between 1964 and 2000 the Flynn effect could be seen, but it was not as palpable between 2000 and 2015. The authors wonder if this effect will increase indefinitely or stop at some point, and if so, when. They point out that to answer this question “We should reanalyze the hypotheses that at the time tried to explain the presence of the Flynn effect, such as improvements in diet, greater schooling, the use of new technologies and the predominance of visual images”.

Definitely, These results show the need for future research on Raven’s progressive matrices..

A final note

To conclude, the Raven Progressive Matrices Test is a non-verbal and non-manipulative instrument whose scores do not depend on the educational level or experience of that person. All of this It undoubtedly makes it very interesting, as well as useful for certain contexts. where you want to have prior information about the “general” intelligence of students or candidates for a professional category.

Its ease of application and the low difficulty in obtaining a result from the answers that the person has given means that, whether we like it or not, it is very present in most of our social contexts…

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