Abstract:
A method for testing a working memory and fluid reasoning of a subject includes the step of sequentially presenting to a subject a first plurality of images, wherein each image is positioned in a different sector of a display device. The first plurality of images totals one fewer than a total number of sectors. Next the subject is simultaneously presented with a second plurality of images. One of the second plurality of images bears an analogous relationship to the first plurality of images. The subject is then asked to select an analogous image from the second plurality of images.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference application Ser. No. 10/123,037, filed Apr. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,392, which application claims priority to provisional application 60/285,950, “Sequential Reasoning Testing System and Method,” filed Apr. 24, 2001, both of which are commonly owned with the present invention and which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods for testing intelligence, and, more particularly, to such system and methods for testing working memory and/or fluid reasoning. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Tests are known in the art for testing a subject&#39;s ability to fill in a pattern of images, including those that present a series of images to the subject for subsequent filling in one of a plurality of other images (Clark, U.S. Pat. No. 1,139,256), complete a pattern (Press, U.S. Pat. No. 3,543,418), or perform a matching task (Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,902; Reynolds et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,581; Hersh, U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,226). 
   However, there are no tests known in the art that also require an additional memory dimension imposed by removing presented images sequentially. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for testing a subject&#39;s working memory. 
   It is a further object to provide such a system and method for testing fluid reasoning. 
   It is another object to provide such a system and method for testing a combination of working memory and fluid reasoning. 
   It is also an object to provide such a system and method that provide for adaptive administration. 
   It is an additional object to provide a method for administering such a test. 
   It is yet a further object to provide a series of representations for use in such a test. 
   These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, a method for testing a working memory and fluid reasoning of a subject. The method comprises the step of sequentially presenting to a subject a first plurality of images. Each image is positioned in a different sector of a display device. The first plurality of images totals one fewer than a total number of sectors. 
   Next the subject is simultaneously presented with a second plurality of images. One of the second plurality of images bears an analogous relationship to the first plurality of images. 
   The subject is then asked to select an analogous image from the second plurality of images. 
   The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS.  1 A, 1 B is a flowchart outlining an administration of the test of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  is an exemplary series of image cards, including three image cards ( FIGS. 2A-2C ) and an answer selection card ( FIG. 2E ). 
     FIGS.  3 A, 3 B are schematic diagrams of a manual ( FIG. 3A ) and an automated ( FIG. 3B ) system for administering a test. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to  FIGS. 1A-3B . 
   An exemplary flowchart of the test administration method ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 B) outlines steps to be taken in giving the working memory and fluid reasoning test  10  for presentation to a subject  20 . The method comprises the steps of determining demographic information on the subject  20  (block  101 ) for the purpose of choosing an appropriate test level (block  102 ) to be presented. Such demographic information typically includes, but is not intended to be limited to, the subject&#39;s age and/or grade level. 
   Next the subject  20  is presented with a first representation of one of a first plurality of images (block  103 ). In a first embodiment, this first representation comprises a card or sheet of paper with a matrix of sectors, here four  31 - 34 , thereon, with one of the sectors having a first image therein. An exemplary first representation  30  is given in  FIG. 2A , wherein an image  35  of four dots is shown as being positioned within a first sector  31 . Sectors  32 - 34  are blank. Next the subject  20  is asked to look at the first image  35  and remember it (block  104 ). 
   The subject  20  is then presented with a second representation  40  of a second of the first plurality of items ( FIG. 2B , block  105 ), with a second image  36  of a square in the second sector  32 . Sectors  31 , 33 , 34  are blank. The subject  20  is then asked to look at the second image  36  and remember it (block  106 ). 
   This process is repeated n−1 times (blocks  107 - 108 ), where n is the number of sectors on the matrix. Here, n=4, and thus the third presentation  50  is the final one, with a pentagonal  FIG. 37  shown in sector  33  ( FIG. 2C ), and sectors  31 , 32 , 34  are blank. It is obvious to one of skill in the art that n may equal any reasonable number, with n typically an even integer;  4  and  6  are typical numbers. 
   When all representations  30 , 40 , 50  have been viewed, the subject  20  is presented with an nth, here a fourth, representation  60  ( FIG. 2D ) on an “answer card”  66  (block  109 ) and is asked to select an analogous image from a second plurality of images  61 - 65  (block  110 ). The second plurality of images may comprise a reasonable number from which to choose, typically 4 or 5, although this is not intended as a limitation. 
   In the test comprising representations as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , the correct choice would be image  61 . If a predetermined time  19  is exceeded by the subject  20  in making a selection (block  111 ), prompting is given by the test giver  21  (block  112 ). If an incorrect answer is given (block  113 ), the subject  20  is asked to select another image from the second plurality of images (block  114 ). The results are recorded (block  115 ). Once the test  10  has been completed (block  116 ), it is scored (block  117 ), the score indicative of a working memory and fluid reasoning ability of the subject  20 . 
   One of skill in the art will recognize that a “manual” or “automated” test administration mode may be contemplated. In a manual mode ( FIG. 3A ), picture cards  30 , 40 , 50  such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C  and an answer representation card  60  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 2D  are shown to the subject  20  by a human test giver  21 , who also manually records the times  19  and responses on a form  29 . Scoring may be done either by the test giver  21  or by another entity, such as a testing corporation or computer. 
   In an automated embodiment ( FIG. 3B ), the “test giver” comprises a computer  22  having resident thereon a software package  23  adapted to give the test in substantially the same steps as listed above. In communication with and under direction from the computer  22  is a display screen  24 , on which may be presented the representations and which, using a keyboard  31  or a pointing device such as a mouse  25  in communication with the computer  22 , the subject  20  may make selections. Other forms of receiving communication from the subject  20  may comprise such devices known in the art as a touch screen or a microphone for voice recognition and translation, and the invention is not intended to be limited to particular input/output devices. 
   The computer  22  further comprises a clock  26  accessible by the software  23  for performing the timing functions. In this automated case, the prompting and asking steps can be performed by displaying a statement or query on the screen  24 , or via a speaker  27  in communication with the computer  22 , under direction of the software  23 . 
   Scoring in this case could be performed by the software  23  resident in the computer  20 . Alternatively, the digital “scoring form,” a data record, may be transmitted via modem  28  to a scoring center  80  remote from the test site  11 . 
   Another benefit of the automated embodiment of  FIG. 3B  is an ability to perform an adaptive administration of a test. In this case a contemporaneous evaluation of the subject  20  occurs during the test administration, and the software  23  adjusts the presentation of subsequent images based upon the results of previous portions of the test. 
   It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional embodiments may be contemplated, including alternate representations of items and alternate modes of presenting the items to a subject. 
   In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction. 
   Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiment thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.