Wooden versus Plastic Apparatus with the GATB: A Restudy

Abstract

The finding of a mean difference of 11 points (one standard error) between wooden and plastic peg boards for the M‐aptitude of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) as reported by Kapes and Sievert (1973) led to this investigation. The intent was to replicate their research and, by the use of a broader sample range, to examine other selected variables to determine whether any differences remained constant across the population. The results of the study indicated that individuals tested on the wooden equipment perform significantly higher than those individuals tested on the plastic equipment. Converted score differences for the M‐aptitude indicated an average difference of approximately 10.5 points in favor of the wooden apparatus.

A comparison between the neurological and intellectual abnormalities in children and adults with congenital hypothyroidism

“…These were between 1-3 SD below the GATB and Irish [PSR Dempsey (1978) Standard•177 of the general aptitude battery in the Republic of Ireland, unpublished] means, after allowing for an increase of 1 SD for the Aptitude M to compensate for the difference between wooden and plastic pegs [21]. All scores correlated with IQ scores (P < 0.001), and aptitude M and K scores with age at diagnosis (P < 0.05).…”