Verbal association and intellectual functioning in normal and subnormal children

Abstract

Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement in the Study of Subnormal Children Differences between children of normal and subnormal intelligence can be conceptualised and classified as both qualitative and quantitative according to the basic frame of reference possessed by the researcher. Thorndike (1927) was one of the first to develop clearly the idea that the measurement of intelligence consists essentially of a quantitative evaluation of mental productions (p.11) in terms of number and the speed and excellence with which they are effected (p.24). By 1950 the field of diagnosis in the area of mental subnormality showed a dominant trend toward quantitative thinking. Vernon (1950) p 3, describes the Binet Scale as being, "composed of tests which would differentiate older from younger children" This description implies that in the measurement of intelligence we are concerned with quantitative differences only. Qualitative differences or differences in type of response are not considered as being relevant.