A nontransformational test of intellectual competence.

Scores on the Perceptual Acuity Test (PAT), assessing accuracy in the perception of geometric forms and optical illusions, have previously revealed an age–developmental gradient among grade school children. However, information on test and nontest criteria of validity for adult samples has not been available. Evidence from 52 males and 38 females of mean ages 36.2 and 34.4 yrs, respectively, is reported, showing PTA scores to correlate significantly with performance on the Hidden Figures Test, the WAIS, and a personality scale for intellectual efficiency and with education and observers' ratings of variables such as range of interests, level of aspiration, intellectual competence, and the valuation placed on intellectual and cognitive matters. Factor analysis of 10 of these variables identified 3 major dimensions: Perceptual Ability, Rated Intelligence, and Academic Intelligence. As anticipated, the PTA had its highest loading on the nontransformational perceptual facet. (46 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)