Differences Between Abstract Terms

PROCEDURE. Say: _What is the difference between_:--

(a) _Laziness and idleness?_
(b) _Evolution and revolution?_
(c) _Poverty and misery?_
(d) _Character and reputation?_

SCORING. _Three correct contrasting definitions out of four_ are
necessary for a pass. It is not sufficient merely to give a correct
meaning for each word of a pair; the subject must point out a difference
between the two words so as to make a real contrast. For example, if the
subject defines _evolution_ as a "growth" or "gradual change," and
_revolution_ as the turning of a wheel on its axis, the experimenter
should say: "_Yes, but I want you to tell me the difference between
evolution and revolution._" If the contrast is not then forthcoming the
response is marked _minus_.

The following are sample definitions which may be considered
acceptable:--

(a) _Laziness and idleness._ "It is laziness if you won't
work, and idleness if you are willing to work but haven't any
job." "Lots of men are idle who are not lazy and would like to
work if they had something to do." "Laziness means you don't
want to work; idleness means you are not doing anything just
now." "Idle people may be lazy, or they may just happen to be
out of a job." "It is laziness when you don't like to work, and
idleness when you are not working." "An idle person might be
willing to work; a lazy man won't work." "Laziness comes from
within; idleness may be forced upon one." "Laziness is aversion
to activity; idleness is simply the state of inactivity."
"Laziness is idleness from choice or preference; idleness means
doing nothing."

The essential contrast, accordingly, is that _laziness refers to
unwillingness to work; idleness to the mere fact of inactivity_.
This contrast must be expressed, however clumsily.

(b) _Evolution and revolution._ "Evolution is a gradual
change; revolution is a sudden change." "Evolution is natural
development; revolution is sudden upheaval." "Evolution means an
unfolding or development; revolution means a complete upsetting
of everything." "Evolution is the gradual development of a
country or government; revolution is a quick change of
government." "Evolution takes place by natural force; a
revolution is caused by an outside force." "Evolution is growth;
revolution is a quick change from existing conditions."
"Evolution is a natural change; revolution is a violent
change." "Evolution is growth step by step; revolution is more
sudden and radical in its action." "Evolution is a change
brought about by peaceful development, while revolution is
brought about by an uprising."

The essential distinction, accordingly, is that _evolution means
a gradual, natural, or slow change, while revolution means a
sudden, forced, or violent change_. Non-contrasting definitions,
even when the individual terms are defined correctly, are not
satisfactory.

(c) _Poverty and misery._ "Poverty is when you are poor;
misery means suffering." "Only the poor are in poverty, but
everybody can be miserable." "Poverty is the lowest stage of
poorness; misery means pain." "The poor are not always
miserable, and the rich are miserable sometimes." "Poverty means
to be in want; misery comes from any kind of suffering or
anguish." "The poor are in poverty; the sick are in misery."
"Poverty is the condition of being very poor financially; misery
is a feeling which any class of people can have." "One who is
poor is in poverty; one who is wretched or doesn't enjoy life is
in misery." "Poverty comes from lack of money; misery, from lack
of happiness or comfort." "Misery means distress. It can come
from poverty or many other things."

(d) _Character and reputation._ "Character is what you are;
reputation is what people say about you." "You have character if
you are honest; but you might be honest and still have a bad
reputation among people who misjudge you." "Character is your
real self; reputation is the opinion people have about you."
"Your character depends upon yourself; reputation depends on
what others think of you." "Character means your real morals;
reputation is the way you are known in the world." "A man has a
good character if he would not do evil; but a man may have a
good reputation and still have a bad character."

A little practice and a good deal of discrimination are necessary for
the correct grading of responses to this test. Subjects are often so
clumsy in expression that their responses are anything but clear. It is
then necessary to ask them to explain what they mean. Further
questioning, however, is not permissible. For uniformity in scoring it
is necessary to bear in mind that the definitions given must, in order
to be satisfactory, express the essential distinction between the two
words.

REMARKS. What we have said regarding the psychological significance of
test 2, year XII, applies equally well here. The test on the whole is a
valuable one. Our statistics show that it is not, as some critics have
thought, mainly a test of schooling.

The main criticism to be made is that it imposes a somewhat difficult
task upon the power of language expression. For this reason it is
necessary in scoring to disregard clumsiness of expression and to look
only to the essential correctness or incorrectness of the thought.

This test first appeared in year XIII of Binet's 1908 scale. The terms
used were "happiness and honor"; "evolution and revolution"; "event and
advent"; "poverty and misery"; "pride and pretension." In the 1911
revision, "happiness and honor" and "pride and pretension" were dropped,
and the other three pairs were moved up to the adult group, two out of
three successes being required for a pass. Kuhlmann places it in
year XV, using "happiness and honor" instead of our "character and
reputation," and requires three successes out of five.

Next: Problem Of The Enclosed Boxes
Previous: Alternative Tests: Repeating Seven Digits

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Differences Between Abstract Terms