A factor analysis of some clinical performance tests

Abstract

"Eighteen test variables were obtained from a battery of clinical performance tests given to a homogeneous group of 113 college men. When subjected to Thurstone's method of centroid analysis three significant factors were extracted… these three factors were rotated into a satisfactory approximation of simple structure, all three axes being mutually orthogonal." "The two factors that could be readily described are: (a) Spatial —the ability to visualize spatial shapes and relationships, and (b) Speed —the ability for rapid movement and dexterity of manipulation. The remaining factor was not adequately determined, but there were indications it requires the ability to grasp non-spatial Gestalt relationships." "The battery has only 33 per cent of its variance accounted for by these three factors." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)