Army Alpha

Standardized intelligence test used by the U.S. Army during World War I

American soldiers taking a predecessor of the Army Alpha, November 1917

The Army Alpha was a standardized intelligence test developed for the United States Army during World War I. It was designed to evaluate the intellectual and emotional functioning of soldiers to determine their suitability for various military roles. The test was a significant development in the field of psychometrics and laid the groundwork for future intelligence testing.

Development

The Army Alpha test was developed by a team of psychologists led by Robert Yerkes, a prominent figure in the field of psychology. The need for such a test arose from the large number of recruits entering the military during World War I, which necessitated a quick and efficient method of assessing their abilities.

The test was part of a larger effort by the American Psychological Association to contribute to the war effort by applying psychological principles to military needs. The development of the Army Alpha was a collaborative effort involving many psychologists, including Lewis Terman, Henry Goddard, and David Wechsler.

Structure

The Army Alpha was a group-administered test, which was a novel approach at the time. It consisted of eight subtests that measured various cognitive abilities, including verbal ability, numerical ability, and general knowledge. The test was designed to be administered to literate recruits and was complemented by the Army Beta test, which was used for illiterate or non-English speaking soldiers.

The subtests included tasks such as following directions, arithmetic problems, practical judgment, synonyms-antonyms, disarranged sentences, number series, analogies, and information.

Implementation

The Army Alpha was administered to approximately 1.75 million soldiers during World War I. The results were used to classify soldiers into different categories based on their intellectual capabilities. This classification helped in assigning soldiers to roles that matched their abilities, thereby optimizing the efficiency of the military forces.

Impact and Legacy

The introduction of the Army Alpha had a profound impact on both the military and the field of psychology. It demonstrated the practical application of psychological testing on a large scale and highlighted the importance of standardized testing in assessing human abilities.

The success of the Army Alpha led to the widespread adoption of intelligence testing in various sectors, including education and industry. It also spurred further research and development in the field of intelligence testing, influencing subsequent tests such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.

Criticism

Despite its success, the Army Alpha was not without criticism. Some psychologists argued that the test was culturally biased and favored individuals from certain backgrounds. Others pointed out that the test did not account for the diverse range of skills and abilities that soldiers might possess.

Related pages

• Army Beta
• Intelligence quotient
• Psychometrics
• World War I