Abstract
Mental Tests of the African. To difficulties and special methods requisite in the study of the African by employment of intelligence tests are discussed by Dr. II. A. C. Oliver, Carnegie fellow for educational research in Kenya, in Africa, vol. 7, pt. 1. Dr. Oliver has been engaged in the study of general intelligence, and in a lesser degree of musical talent, in Kenya natives. His general tests were devised to measure the intelligence of natives who had received some schooling, and were non-verbal tests, the problems being presented in pictures and other symbols. The kind of test to be used varies with the feature of African mentality in which we are interested; but we ought to know more about the African's abilities in specific activities and their special strength or weaknesses. The type of test will also depend on education and the language situation. Two lessons are suggested by experience: first, that it is highly desirable to precede the test with a demonstration and practice; and secondly, that the time allowed should be unlimited or ample. An application of a general intelligence test to 124 pupils of a secondary school for European boys and 93 pupils of a secondary school for African boys in Kenya produced two main facts. The average mark of the African was 85 per cent of the average mark of the European; secondly, 14 per cent of the Africans gained a mark as high or higher than the average European mark. This leads to a conjecture that, comparing the variability with that of Europeans, a small percentage of Africans might be capable of a university education; a larger percentage might complete the secondary school course; a still larger percentage might undertake a few years in the secondary school and the mass of the African people might take a full primary school course.
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Research Items. Nature 133, 261–262 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/133261a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/133261a0