Probability of Responding: A Return to the Original Brunswik

This paper traces the conceptual foundations of the Brunswik based Social Judgment Theory. The historical transition from measurement through probability of responding (i.e., a constancy ratio) to measurement via correlations is documented. It is shown that there are substantive limitations with the correlation approach for the idiographic analysis of human perception or decision-making. Instead, the constancy ratio developed originally by Brunswik as well as the measurement of the probability of accuracy in responding are better suited to the analysis of human responding under conditions of uncertainty and complexity. These measures are relevant for the development of psychological laws of individual responding. It was concluded that focusing on the probability of individual responses to situations through analysing the pattern of responding intensively is more consistent with the original approach of Brunswik

The peak in performance across different abilities across age groups on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence – second edition

This paper describes the pattern of median performance on the sub-tests of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence 2nd edition across age groups 6-90 years from the test standardisation (N=2300). The median raw-score for: (a) block design peaks at age 25; (b) matrix reasoning sub-test rises steeply up to ages 20-25; (c) vocabulary peaks at age 30-55; and (d) similarities task peaks in the age groups 30-45. When compared to performance at age 25, the major finding is that the decline at age 85 is highest for the block design (0.46 of age 25) then the matrix reasoning (0.52 of age 25) followed by similarities (0.78 of age 25) and finally, vocabulary (0.89 of age 25). There is continuing evidence for the differential decline in abilities. It applies particularly in the area of fluid intelligence and is consistent with previous findings in psychological assessment of cognitive abilities

Probability of responding: a return to the original Brunswik

This paper traces the conceptual foundations of the Brunswik based Social Judgment Theory. The historical transition from measurement through probability of responding (i.e., a constancy ratio) to measurement via correlations is documented. It is shown that there are substantive limitations with the correlation approach for the idiographic analysis of human perception or decision-making. Instead, the constancy ratio developed originally by Brunswik as well as the measurement of the probability of accuracy in responding are better suited to the analysis of human responding under conditions of uncertainty and complexity. These measures are relevant for the development of psychological laws of individual responding. It was concluded that focusing on the probability of individual responses to situations through analysing the pattern of responding intensively is more consistent with the original approach of Brunswik