James Cattell

Summary of “Mental Tests and Measurements”

This writing is section 5 of an overall larger work published in 1890 for the journal entitled Mind. It is basically an overview of the experimental procedures Cattell believed should be the foundation for testing within the laboratory setting to help understand mental processes.

Cattell begins by stating, “Psychology cannot attain the certainty and exactness of the physical sciences, unless it rests on a foundation of experiment and measurement.” (Cattell, 1890) He believes that to achieve this end there is a need to apply tests and measurements to large numbers of people. Cattell thought the results would contain vital information about how the mental processes would hold up under changing stimuli and reveal measurable variations of those mental processes under different circumstances.

Cattell even suggested that the “experimentees” might benefit from the testing process due to the information being helpful for life and career. He stated that his strategy was to begin with bodily testing and progress to mental testing. In this work we see Cattell’s response to the prominent idea of the effect volition on the body, “It is, however, impossible to separate bodily from mental energy.” (Cattell, 1890)

In this writing, which preceeded the APA ethical guidelines by many years, we see some of the elements of informed consent and humane treatment of those in his care. Cattell states that these tests should be, “readily made, cannot prove injurious, are dependent on mental conditions, and allow comparison.” (Cattell, 1890)

The main body of the writing covers the various tests and how they are to be measured. In section 5, Least noticeable difference in weight, Cattell makes an interesting observation about Fechner’s JND (Just Noticeable Difference) concept. Cattell suggests that JND may allow for attainable results in testing. Cattell offers the idea of LND (Least Noticeable Difference) as a more reliable way to insure measurable results.

Cattell finishes this section declaring that Experimental Psychology, “teaches accurate observation and correct reasoning in the same way as the other natural sciences, and offers a supply of knowledge interesting and useful to everyone.” (Cattell, 1890)

I personally enjoy reading about the experimental method, and its use in psychology. Cattell is probably not my all-time favorite in this area, but I do find some of his work interesting. He did reveal a very astute mind, and seemed quick to exploit the ideas of others. He had a special interest in Galton’s ideas as proven by the fact he brought them to America and adapted them for his use very successfully. There was not much in this writing to disagree with in light of what he did or how he conducted himself.

From a Biblical point-of-view, true experimentation without preconceived notions only strengthens the Biblical perspective. One example of how testing and measurement reinforces what God has revealed is Einstein’s theory of general relativity. This theory is one of the most tested in all of science. Although I make no claims to have read all of the holy books of all the religions of the world, I do offer that I have read The Avesta, The Adi Granth, The Vedas, The Upanishads, The Bhagavad Gita, The Lotus Sutra, most of the Daodejing, The Analects, The Book of Mormon, and even selected Japanese writings from Shinto, but the only holy book that corresponds to claims about creation that is consistent with general relativity’s space-time idea is the Bible.

Therefore I do not accept the disconnect that is ever-present within “Scientific” communities. Experimental Psychology is built on a foundation similar to Natural Science, but both are only speculation if they are not based on Biblical principles.

Cattell, P. J. (1890). Mental Tests and Measurements. Retrieved 3 8, 2010, from Classics in the History of Psychology: http://psychclassics.asu.edu/Cattell/mental.htm

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