David’s Battery of Differential Abilities

Definition of ability

Ability is defined as the power to perform any act either, physical or mental, which is

attained through training, education or others. (Thurstone, 1938).

History of Ability Testing

Charles Spearman suggested that each mental ability should be studied to understand

its contribution to the overall intelligence or ‘g’ factor/ General intelligence. He framed a

theory of Intellective unity and suggested a hierarchy of the specific intelligence. According

to him, each measure was viewed as composed of general intelligence and a specific factor

that was uncorrelated with other specific factors. (Spearman, 1903).

Binet & Simon developed a scale to test complex abilities such as judgement and

reasoning among children. They did consider memory as important. Individual tests alone

could not be considered, and the subject's average performance in various tests had to be

looked at to check the subject’s abilities. Also finding which mental ability was being

exercised was hard to find out as there were many abilities in the subjects. (Boake, 2002).

The test was then further revised by Terman and popularly known as the Stanford Binet scale.

Terman constructed ability tests for the US army during the First World War. The tests

developed was the Alpha, designed for men who could read and write English, and the Beta,

designed for those who could not. Ability to be a good soldier was assessed through these

tests. Intelligence testing did not have much respect prior to the war but gained a considerable

following after these tests.

Thorndike (1921) viewed intelligence as not separate from emotional and vocational

abilities and suggested that ability varies according to particular tasks. He viewed the value of

test scores as their ability to predict future performance. Thorndike developed

numerous tests of specific abilities and achievement for domains such as

reading,mathematics etc.

The group factor theory put forward by Thurstone led to the formation of a set of

measures called the Tests of Primary Mental Abilities. The theory stated that a person’s

mental operations/abilities have in common a primary factor that gives them psychological

and functional unity and that differentiates them from other mental operations. These mental

abilities with a common primary factor constitute a group. Like this, there are various groups

of mental abilities, each group having their own primary factor, which are independent of

other primary factors. Thurstone’s factor theory gave rise to six primary factor abilities,

Verbal, Number, Spatial,Word fluency, Memory and Reasoning, which were given equal

importance and were researched upon to estimate limits of these factors and find more such

abilities. Thurstone characterized intelligence as a series of distinct abilities. (Thurstone &

Thurstone, 1941)

Wechsler developed a battery of tests based on the Army soldiers' examinations such

as the Wechsler-Bellevue scale.. They have been revised and are currently the most popular

scales of human mental abilities (Rabin et al., 2016). Philip Vernon’s structure of mental

abilities were arranged in an hierarchy with a broad general factor and split into two major

group factors. One being verbal and educational abilities and the other practical or

performance abilities. Each of these major group factors were divided into specific factors

such as verbal, number, spatial etc. So any mental performance was described as percentages

of ‘g’, verbal and educational abilities and others. Crystallized intelligence is a function of

one’s environment and fluid intelligence is a function of genetics and less related to previous

experiences or background of the person. This theory was subsequently refined to include

nine factors accounting for both mental abilities and general personality dimensions
 In India, various of the above mentioned tests were translated and adjusted to suit the

Indian population such as the Binet scale. Dr. M. C. Joshi developed the General Mental

Ability Test, and many more similar tests were developed by college professors and

psychologists to test ability.

Factor analytic studies of mental abilities have paved the way for aptitude batteries

with various sub-tests for educational and vocational guidance. But these only provide a

profile of the person’s mental strengths and weaknesses. A test or battery that could identify

specific abilities based on vocational needs and lifestyle needs was required.

Definitions

Aptitude talks about one’s cognitive ability and reasoning to determine if one is

suitable for a particular role (Swain, 2021).

Capacity is the ability to retain knowledge and information of mental or physical tasks

(APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2020).

Capability is the total of an individual’s ability and capacity to complete a task (N.,

2013).

Talent is the innate ability, aptitude or capacity to succeed in a task or an area (APA

Dictionary of Psychology, 2020b).

Gift is the possession of natural ability, talent or intelligence, something evident from

the very beginning (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2020c).

Competence determines if individuals have enough skills to cope with problems or

tasks at hand (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2020d).

Descriptions of domains

DBDA measures different abilities using different subsets. While administering, each

subset is timed and given one after the other. The time taken for Spatial and Clerical abilities

are not disclosed. Following are the domains in DBDA - R :-

 1. Verbal ability (VA): The person’s comprehension of words, ideas, concepts, written

language is measured.

2. Numerical ability (NA): Mathematical ability to manipulate numbers quickly and

accurately and proficiency in calculations is evaluated.

3. Spatial ability (SA): Ability to understand transformation in directions, dimensions,

forms of objects and perceive visual images is measured.

4. Closure ability (CA): Evaluation of ability to perceive the whole of the object,

situation when it is partially incomplete is done.

5. Clerical ability (CL): The ability to find similarities and differences, rapid evaluation

of perceptual activities is evaluated.

6. Reasoning ability (RA): It measures the ability of a person to use logical reasoning

and deductive processes in different situations, relationships.

7. Mechanical ability (MA): It evaluates the basic understanding of mechanical,

technical concepts and automotive tools.

8. Psychomotor ability (PA): The ability to exhibit precise movements using eye-hand

coordination for manual tasks is measured in this domain.

Psychometric Properties

Validity

The concrete validity of DBDA-R has been established by comparing it with other

intelligence tests. The results have been given in Table 1

DBDA

Tests
 Intelligence VA
NA SA CA MA CL RA PM
tests

WAIS .72 .85 .95 .84 .69 .94 .76 .84

(Verbal)

16 PF (Factor .66 .64 .52 .58 .66 .69 .62 .64

B)

Jalota’s .60 .65 .46 .54 .51 .55 .55 .44

GMAT

Applications

1. This battery is majorly used in Career counselling, to help the client to decide the

most suitable career for himself based on his level of ability.

2. It is majorly used by educators as well as students to help them understand the

next steps of the educational options such as choosing a major course at college or

university.

3. It is even used for the appropriate selection of applicants for employment.

References

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2020). Https://Dictionary.Apa.Org/Capacity.

https://dictionary.apa.org/capacity

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2020b). Https://Dictionary.Apa.Org/Talent.

https://dictionary.apa.org/talent
APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2020c). Giftedness. Retrieved 2020, from

https://dictionary.apa.org/giftedness

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2020d). Competence. https://dictionary.apa.org/competence

Asthana, Bipin (2009). Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education,

Agra

Agarwal Publications.

Psychology Laboratory Workbook for III Year B.A/ B.Sc Paper I – Aptitude and ability

tests (2005), Bangalore University, Psychometrics Publication : Bangalore.

N., S. M. S. (2013, April 8). What is CAPABILITY? definition of CAPABILITY (Psychology

Dictionary). Psychology Dictionary. https://psychologydictionary.org/capability/

Swain, R. (2021, May). Psychometric tests | Prospects.ac.uk. Prospects.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/psychometric-tests
Performa of Client

Name: SA

Age: 21

Gender: F

Test Administered: David’s Battery of Differential Abilities

Date of testing: NA

Purpose of Testing : To measure various mental abilities of the client

Behavioural observations: NA

Test Results

S.no. Dimensions Raw Score Sten Score Interpretation

1. Verbal Ability 11 3 Low verbal

ability

2. Numerical Ability 15 7 Average

Numerical ability

3. Spatial Ability 50 6 Average Spatial

ability

4. Closure Ability 09 2 Low closure

ability
 5. Mechanical 13 5 Average

Ability Mechanical

Ability

6. Reasoning Ability 11 10 High Reasoning

Ability

7. Clerical Ability 53 6 Average Clerical

Ability

8. Psychomotor 47 8 High

Ability Psychomotor

Ability

Test Interpretation

Verbal Ability

The client has obtained a low score i.e. sten score 3 in the area of verbal ability. A

person skilled in verbal ability is most likely to be successful in academics, and school-

related performance. This skill is a predictor of occupations involving much of reading and

writing. The client is not well equipped with verbal/language ability.

Numerical Ability

The client has received an average score i.e. sten score 7 in the domain of numerical

ability. The score explains that the client is an average performer in areas pertaining

to mathematical skills.

Spatial Ability

The client has received an average score i.e. 6 in the domain of spatial ability. The

score explains that the client is an average performer in identifying and perceiving spatial

patterns accurately.
Closure Ability

The client has obtained a low score i.e. sten score 2 in the area of closure ability. Like

gestalt principle, closure ability helps fill-in the gaps in order to perceive complete

meaningful forms. The client is not well equipped with perceptual ability.

Mechanical Ability

The client has received an average score i.e. 5 in the area of mechanical ability. The

client has the average ability to understand basic mechanical principles, simple mechanics,

tools, electrical and automotive facts.

Reasoning Ability

The client has obtained a high score i.e. 10 in the area of reasoning ability. The client

has the ability to apply the process of reasoning from specific information to general

principle.

Clerical Ability

The client has received an average score i.e. 6 in the area of clerical ability. The client is an

average performer in making rapid evaluations of features of visual stimuli.

Psychomotor Ability

The client has a high score i.e. 8 in the area of psychomotor ability. The client is able

to maintain good eye-hand coordination with precise movements.

Impression

The client is low on verbal ability and closure ability. She exhibits average score on

numeric ability, spatial ability, mechanical ability, clerical ability. Her high performance is

seen in abilities like reasoning and psychomotor. The client seems to face difficulties in

language/verbal expression and perception.

Recommendation

The client would function well and draw satisfaction by working in areas which
stresses on logic, occupation in mathematics, with computer programmes, in the field of
engineering, sciences, and scientific technology as the client holds his highest score of 10
with high reasoning ability. A high score of 8 in psychomotor ability can be expected to be
relevant for success in assembly line work, drafting and clerical jobs. Focus can also be given
on communication and perception which if improved can be very helpful in relation any
domain.