Classic Audiobook Collection Army Mental Tests by Clarence Stone Yoakum ~ Full Audiobook [science]
Nov 12, 2025
Explore the fascinating origins of psychological testing during World War I as psychologists like Yerkes and Yoakum transformed personnel selection. Discover how standardized tests, including Alpha and Beta, were designed to classify recruits and enhance military training. The discussion delves into the implications of scoring and letter ratings, revealing their impact on unit efficiency and promotions. Listeners will appreciate the blend of historical insights and ethical considerations surrounding early testing practices, which still resonate today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Psychology Became Military 'Human Engineering'
- The war forced psychology into practical 'human engineering' roles, making brain power crucial to military success.
- Psychologists rapidly organized to apply measurement and classification to personnel allocation.
Rigorous Design Principles Underpinned The Tests
- The committee set strict design criteria for the Army group tests prioritizing speed, validity, wide range and objective scoring.
- They used random-item selection and multiple forms to avoid coaching and equalize difficulty.
Use Short Timed Subtests And Clear Directions
- Keep each subtest brief (about 5 minutes) and arrange items by difficulty to sample a wide ability range.
- Provide sample items and read directions aloud to standardize administration and reduce variance.
