VISUAL APPROACH-BASED APTITUDE TESTING METHOD

A visual approach-based aptitude testing system includes a computer connected to an examinee's terminal through a communication network. The computer provides, to the examinee's terminal, a check sheet in which a plurality of areas are formed by boundary elements and which includes graphic figures each having no inherent meaning, and a plurality of icons applicable to the check sheet. The computer sequentially stores test data including icons applied by the examinee to the check sheet and an examinee's ID transmitted from the terminal, and sequentially reads out the test data and the examinee's ID to count a total number of the icons. The computer executes discrimination of whether the arrangement of the icons in the read-out test data falls under definitions in tables stored by the computer. Results of the discrimination are stored in the computer and used for evaluation of the examinee's aptitude.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for multifacetedly grasping and judging human psychiatric disciplines through visual information, and more particularly, to a visual approach-based aptitude testing method for judging how well an examinee is qualified for a particular occupation.

BACKGROUND ART

Human behavior is a cross-over of various impacts derived from psychological situations and has a relationship with basic potential and performance potential. Various external stimuli may act as a burden when engaging in business, and psychosomatic stress may occur in such cases. Since stress is invisible in most cases, it is often difficult to visually and accurately grasp business-related stress.

In addition, concerning how to evaluate human performance in business, concentration (ability to work) and wage differentials derivable therefrom (rewarding money) have been considered from the viewpoint of market value.

However, since conventional performance theory is a rigid structural system in which the analytical result is difficult to reuse, it is difficult to make an appropriate determination from the results of an aptitude test based on the theory.

In addition, there is diversity in people's social behavior. The frontal lobes have been said to suppress the selfish “old brain,” as an explanation for why diverse people cooperate with each other.

Recently, however, the theory that the emotional system avoids inequity has become dominant. More specifically, the predictive accuracy of purchasing behavior, IQ estimates from resting fMRI, and MRI-based predictions indicate that people have a mechanism to avoid unfairness, and that the amygdala, which is a deep part of the “old brain,” reacts intuitively and automatically to avoid unfairness and promote prosocial behavior.

Prosocial behavior refers to behavior that maximizes harmony between oneself and others and minimizes differences therebetween, which will differ from individualistic behavior that maximizes oneself and also from competitive behavior that maximizes differences between oneself and others.

Analysis of fMRI data shows that the absolute value of reward difference and the activity of the amygdala are correlated with each other in prosocial behavior, and prosocial activity of the amygdala becomes active when there is a large absolute value of the reward difference.

The results of the ultimatum game experiment and the trust game experiment support the above theory, and there is a possibility that social disparity and depressive tendencies are related with each other.

As a result of fMRI analysis, it has been proved that the prefrontal area (frontal association area) or neocortex, which is evolutionarily new and constitutes the center of high order cognitive function, expresses guilt, and that the evolutionarily primitive amygdala and nucleus accumbens express inequality.

In addition, ⅓ of the cerebral cortex is related to the visual sense.

Traditionally, it has been said that competition creates progress (Eiichi Shibuya); only comparing yourself with others is social slavery (Rousseau); and comparing with others is the shortest path to become unfortunate (Buddha).

However, recent dominant theories have reported that social disparities are correlated with depressive tendencies.

Summarizing the above, recent advances in brain function imaging technologies have revealed that some kind of human social decision-making in the brain is based primarily in the subcortical area and cerebral cortex.

In addition, the frontal lobe (neocortex) relates to conscious information processing, the amygdala relates to emotional information processing such as fear and pleasure, and the septum and hippocampus relate to memory and emotion control. Considering the structures of the brain, people have two minds, one is the conscious, determinable mind, mainly existing in the frontal lobe, and the other is unconscious emotion, mainly existing in amygdala.

For some subconscious and apparent awareness, perceptual and behavioral determinations, including human subjective consciousness, are known to be made in the frontal lobe (neocortex). On the other hand, emotion (response of the amygdala) is not directly conscious.

The degree of development of the frontal lobe (neocortex) differs between adults and children. In other words, the response by the frontal lobe (neocortex) is considered to be low for children. Actually, a human perceives the result of expression of emotion to the human body, and recognizes one's emotion by comparing it with previous experiences, and expresses the same as emotions. In addition, it is said that some behaviors are not conscious as in custom, but are reflexive.

The present invention has been made in view of study and analysis of vast literature in the following areas and results from further creative improvements by the inventor:

<1> Evolutionary approaches to psychological demands and decision making,

<7> Psychological and physiological approaches to emotions,

<9> Information from brain science, cognitive science and neuroscience.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned background, an object of the present invention is to grasp human mental structure in a multifaceted manner through visual information, and to accurately and objectively grasp an examinee's propensity such as a vocational aptitude.

To achieve the above object, a visual approach-based aptitude testing method according to the present invention is a method executed by a computer which stores (i) information of a check sheet in which a plurality of areas are formed by boundary elements depicted in a rectangular frame and which comprises graphic figures having no inherent meaning, (ii) information of a plurality of icons which can be selectively chosen and applied to the check sheet by an examinee, and (iii) a first table including definitions of the boundary elements in the check sheet, a second table including kinds, a number, and definitions of the icons, and a third table including definitions of meanings of positions of the icons in the check sheet.

The method includes receiving test data including positions and a number of the icons selected and applied by the examinee to the check sheet and an examinee's ID, executing a count-up of a total number of the icons in the test data, discriminating whether or not an arrangement of the icons in the data satisfies the definitions in the tables, and storing results obtained from the discrimination to be used for evaluation of the examinee's aptitude based on the total number of the icons and the arrangement of the icons.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the boundary elements include lines and/or corners.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the lines include straight lines, curved lines, broken lines, or any combinations thereof.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the corners include corners of a frame, and/or points of intersection between lines.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the computer further stores a fourth table which predefines a meaning of a positional relationship (hereinafter also referred to as an “icon relationship”) between a plurality of the icons or between one of the icons and one of the lines, and the method further includes executing discrimination of whether or not the icon relationship exists in the arrangement of the icons in the read-out test data, in reference to the definition in each of the tables.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the computer further stores a fifth table which predefines the meanings of the applied icons forming a specific pattern, and the method further includes executing discrimination of whether or not the predefined specific pattern exists.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the computer further stores a sixth table which predefines a meaning of an appearance of a specific one of the icons, and the method further includes executing discrimination of whether or not the specific icon appears.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the specific pattern includes at least one of a crowded arrangement, a dispersive arrangement, a balanced arrangement, a deviative arrangement, a bottom arrangement, an upper arrangement, a top-and-bottom arrangement, a left-and-right arrangement, a protruding arrangement, and a doll arrangement.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the icon relationship includes at least one of an overlapping, contact, line-contact, and close-vicinity relationship.

According to the visual approach-based aptitude testing method of the present invention, it is possible to visually and specifically express the examinee's internal and potential consciousness through the images obtained from the application state of icons on a check sheet, more particularly the number and position of the icons applied by the examinee. Thus, the examinee's mental structure can be grasped in a multifaceted manner through vision.

As mentioned above, one-third of the cerebral cortex is involved in vision. To visual stimuli i.e. visual information, the amygdala, which is the emotional brain (i.e., controls emotion) will respond faster than the neocortex which is said to conduct cognitive processing. The amygdala's response to the stimulus takes place about 100 ms after receiving the stimulus, 100 ms before the neocortex's response which takes place about 200 ms after receiving the stimulus.

The present invention takes advantage of the amygdala's rapidity of response times to express the subconscious without the examinee's awareness. This is because the examinee's potential consciousness can be grasped prior to correction by the neocortex (control under awareness), thereby demonstrating the examinee's aptitude.

In other words, the icons are perceived visually (i.e., with one's eyes) and at the same time stimulate the amygdala.

The stimulation to the amygdala precedes the stimulation to the frontal lobe.

The information that affects the subconscious includes the response of the amygdala (emotion response), in addition to the information from the sensory organs sensed by neocortex (frontal lobe). Since the response by the neocortex differs from the response by the amygdala by 100 ms, there are two types of subconscious, one being affected by the amygdala's response and the other being less affected by the amygdala's response.

Also, icons, even human icons, do not have facial expressions, but are recognized as graphics. Thus, the icons affect the subconscious of the frontal lobe without stimulating emotional system.

The icon examination invokes this frontal lobe subconscious, and the icon application operation is expressed as a response thereto.

The amygdala, which reacts in 100 ms, will less affect the frontal lobe in its immediate response, but the cumulative emotion may affect the frontal lobe, and this difference appears in a manner how the icons are applied. The present invention utilizes the time lag of this response.

This is the theoretical basis of the present invention based on brain science, cognitive science, neuroscience, and the like, and the present invention grasps the examinee's career aptitude and propensity based on this. As described above, according to the present invention, since the examinee's internal and potential consciousness can be expressed through the visual sense, it is possible to grasp the examinee's mental structure in a multifaceted manner. Therefore, the test results can be directly used to evaluate the examinee's personality and aptitude.

According to the visual approach-based aptitude testing method of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, the bounding elements may be determined variously or in a simplified manner, so a variety of investigations and analyses can be carried out, ranging from complicated investigations to simple investigations with less burden on the examinee.

According to the visual approach-based aptitude testing method of the fifth to seventh aspects of the invention, since it is also possible to determine the icon relationship, the specific pattern, and the specific icon, it is possible to more accurately grasp the examinee's aptitude and propensity.

According to the visual approach-based aptitude testing method of the eighth and/or ninth aspects of the invention, since the specific pattern and the icon relationship can be determined more accurately, it is more effective for grasping the examinee's aptitude and propensity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, a visual approach-based aptitude testing method according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions which perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow a check sheet used in a visual approach-based aptitude testing method in accordance with the present invention. The check sheet includes areas comprising a number of circular figures and polygonal figures wherein straight lines, curved lines and broken lines are suitably combined. These form a closed space, an open space, an open circle space, a partly-open trapezoidal space, a slope and a specifically-defined space.FIG. 10shows an icon sheet used in a visual approach-based aptitude testing method in accordance with the present invention. The check sheet shown inFIG. 1Aand the icon sheet shown inFIG. 1Care distributed to an examinee as paper sheets, for example. The icons on the icon sheet shown inFIG. 1Care detachable so that they can be applied to the check sheet inFIG. 1A. There are 18 types of icons, which will be described later in more detail. A headquarters computer100(FIG. 22) stores the same figures and areas as the check sheet ofFIG. 1Aand icons ofFIG. 1C. In addition, the headquarters computer stores the template ofFIG. 2Aand conversion table ofFIG. 2B. The computer100includes, for example, a CPU101and/or other processor, a RAM102, a ROM103storing a program, other memory104(e.g., solid state memory or a hard disk drive), and a display105. The computer (via the CPU or other processor) executes the program stored in the ROM103to perform all of the functions of the headquarters computer described herein. The memory104, for example, stores information including the check sheet and icons shown inFIG. 1AandFIG. 10(for example), as well as data in various tables and Figures as described below.

Next, the boundary elements shown inFIGS. 1A and 1Bare outlined. More detailed description is given below in the following paragraphs. Different types of the boundary elements are depicted in a rectangular border frame1consisting of frame lines1ato1d. The boundary elements comprise a circularFIG. 5having a cut-off4at the upper-right part of the circumferential curved line3, a triangularFIG. 7having a cut-off6at the apex thereof and an intermediate straight line11extending in parallel with a straight bottom line10between opposite oblique-side lines8,9, a straight line13(inclined straight line) extending obliquely up and to right from the right end of the intermediate line11to the frame line1a, a broken line14(inclined broken line) extending obliquely up and to left from the left end (opposite to the inclined straight line13) of the bottom10to the frame line1c, and an S-shape curved line15extending down from the rightward middle portion of the bottom10to the frame line1b. With these boundary elements, the areas to be described in detail below are divided into nine sectional areas, among which three are located almost in a horizontal direction and the other three almost in a vertical direction. Both cut-offs4and6open upward. The boundary elements can be provided in any combination and have no inherent meaning (the boundary elements and the combination thereof have no meaning in and of themselves). The boundary elements section the check sheet into many areas as described above and in more detail below.

FIG. 2Ashows templates of lines, corners, areas and contact points described in the check sheet, andFIGS. 2B and 2Cshow their conversion tables. TABLE 1 A shows lines L1-L18. TABLE 1B shows corners C1-C4. TABLE 1C shows areas A1 to A13. TABLE 1D shows contact points X1-X8. TABLE 2 shows the shape, name and color of each icon. TABLE 3A and TABLE 3B show relationships between icons and their meanings in each of systems A-H listed therein. TABLE 4 shows definitions of meanings for different total numbers of icons selected. TABLE 5 shows definitions of specific patterns (described later) to be grasped in specific situations. TABLE 6 shows definitions of interpretations of these specific patterns. TABLE 7 is a template indicating meanings of icons (described later). Information ofFIGS. 1 to 11(described later),FIGS. 18A to 18Mand TABLES 1A to 8 are stored in advance in the memory104of the headquarters computer100.

Here, the contents of TABLES 1 A to 8 will be described. TABLE 8 shows relationship among the first table to the sixth table, the individual TABLES, and the drawings. The specified comments in TABLE 3A, TABLE 3B, TABLE 4, TABLE 5 and TABLE 6 are based on the findings statistically obtained from test results.

TABLE 1ALineNumberPosition of the LineL-1A line at the upper side of rectangle chartL-2Upper part of the line on the right-hand sideof rectangle chartL-3Bottom of the line on the right-hand side ofrectangle chartL-4Right of the line at the lower side of rectanglechartL-5Left of the line at the lower side of rectanglechartL-6Bottom of the left-hand side of rectanglechartL-7Upper part of the line on the left-hand sideof rectangle chartL-8Left of the line at the bottom of trapezoiddiagram in the center of the chartL-9A line on the right-hand side of trapezoiddiagram in the center of the chartL-10Line inclined rightward and upward dividedthe upper part and bottom of rectangle chartL-11A line on the right-hand side of a triangulardiagram drawn at the center of a chartL-12A line at the bottom of a triangular diagramdrawn at the center of a chartL-13A line on the left-hand side of a triangulardiagram drawn at the center of a chartL-14A line on the left-hand side of trapezoiddiagram in the center of the chartL-15A line that is an arc of a circle lacking apart of the circumference drawn on the leftside of the chartL-16Line of S curved line that divides the areaA-11 and the area A-12 drawn at thebottom of the chartL-17Right side of the line that forms the bottomof trapezoid diagram drawn in the centerof the chartL-18A line of broken line that divides the upperpart and bottom of the chart on the left sidejoin the intersection X-6 and theintersection X-8.

TABLE 1BCorner NumberPosition of the CornerC1Upper left partC2Upper right partC3Lower right partC4Lower left part

TABLE 1CAreaNumberShape of the AreaA-1An area consisting of a circle with a missingupper right corner located in the upper leftcorner of the chartA-2The part of the missing arc in the area A-1(upper right part)A-3An area consisting of trapezoid located inthe center of the chartA-4Area consisting of a top-missing triangleconnected to the upper part of the A-3areaA-5The upper part missing A-4 areaA-6An area that the upper left part is dividedintegrally with the area A-7 and the upperright part is divided integrally with thearea A-8, a circular arc is formed in apart of the upper part, and consistingheteromorphic figure of a broken linewhich lower line is inclinedA-7The area that divided as an integral area ofeach area of the areas A-8 and A-9, left sideof the area formed in the upper part of thechart, and circular arc is located in the lowerright side and lower left part adjoins A-6Area.A-8The area that divided as an integral area ofeach of the areas A-7 and A-9,the center ofthe area formed in the upper part of thechart, and the area A-5 is located in thelower part.A-9The area that divided as an integral areawith the areas A-7 and A-8, the right sideof the area formed in the upper part of thechart, a line L-10 consisting of a right-upinclined line is formed in the lower part,and a line L-11 consisting of a left-upinclined line is formed in the left side.A-10It is the upper part area divided as anintegral area with A-11, a line L-10consisting of an inclined line rising tothe right is formed at the upper end,and a line L-9 consisting of aninclined line rising to the left isformed at the left endA-11It is a lower area divided as an integralarea with A-10, and a line L-16 madeof S curved line is formed at the leftend, and a line L-17 is formed at theupper left end.A-12It is a right side area divided as anintegral area with A-13, and a line L-16 made of S curved line is formedat the right end portion.A-13It is a left side area divided as an integralarea with A-12, and a line L-18 composedof a broken line is formed at the upper end.

TABLE 1DContactPointNumberPosition of the contact pointX-1Intersection of line L-2 and line L-10X-2Intersection of line L-4 and line L-16X-3Intersection of line L-13 and line L-12X-4Intersection of line L-11 and line L-12X-5Intersection of line L-9 and line L-17X-6Intersection of line L-14 and line L-8X-7Intersection of line L-8 and line L-16X-8Intersection of line L-7 and line L-18

TABLE 3ANumberIconOverview of Icons' MeaningsSpecified CommentAFace system111It represents relationships including people (self and others).Want to be related toThe inclination of the icons represents the bias of thought, andpeople. Have someone whothe reversal represents self-denial or neglect of others. If itI want to be targeted.exists in enclosed space (A3), it represents isolation orCannot ignore people. Haveuniqueness, and contact with other icons requires a separatesomeone important. Havemeaning search.someone dislike.B○ System21It it shows soft objects. It expresses peace and satisfaction,Kindness, Warmness, Calm,and it expresses ease of cooperativeness. Contact with a lineI'm not be nervous. Gentle.of the check sheet represents a vague request and sense ofsecurity. If it exists in enclosed space, it somehow expressesone's feelings of loneliness.35It it shows soft objects. It represents peace and satisfaction,Soft. Good person. Peopleand expresses flexibility in cooperativeness. Contact with a(humans). Eggs, lukewarm.line of the check sheet represents a vague request and senseCan feel easy.of security. If it exists in enclosed space, it somehowrepresents a feeling of loneliness that is not just oneself. Theinclination of the icons represents the instability of thought,and dependence may be strong. If it is selected, it has asomewhat unique aspect.CThree-dimensional system413It shows soft objects. Though it represents peace andStrange feeling. With holes.satisfaction, cooperativeness with others is thin. Contact withWant to escape. Want toa line of the check sheet represents a vague despondencyhide. Move. Car. Run.and sense of security. If it exists in enclosed space, there maybe some strong claims of loneliness of one's own. Thecombination with the icons (9: arrow) requires a strong senseof fulfillment.54It makes people aware of its strong presence, but it does notWant to enrich. Want to behave a very deep meaning. This is often the case because ofsatisfied. Abundant.the interesting nature of the icons. Sometimes it representstreasure, and sometimes it represents remaining childhood.Regarding the inclination of the icons, there is a sense thatinsensitive to instability. In some cases, there may be anunexpected easy consciousness.610If it is single, it represents a strong presence, and contact withStable. Don't move. Want toother icons (7/14) is often simply a presence. Sometimes,enter in a box. Box.contact with a line of the check sheet may represents a strongsense of stability and mental instability. If it is selected, it hasa somewhat unique aspect.DRounded-corner system78Although there are little deep meanings, contact with otherSomeone interested. A scaryicons has many possibilities, and complex assessments areperson.required when evaluating. If it is selected, it has asomewhat unique aspect.83If it is selected, it has a fairly unique aspect. In general, it isMedicine. Have ararely selected, and it is difficult to use in terms of thedependence. Want to relyoverall configuration, it does not mean much if it is used ason. Want to calm down.a human body.

TABLE 3BESquare system92Contact with the lines and corners of the check sheet is desireable to be strongSame asstability and sense of security, and does not require a cluttered atmosphere.normal.They often prefer organizing and do not prefer irresponsible things, butsometimes they do not. If it is used as the center of a house (contact with 7),not only is it a building, but also it is conscious of it as a house, and it needsto be paid attention.106Contact with the lines or corners of the check sheet is desirable to be strongSlightly differentstability and sense of security, and does not require a cluttered atmosphere.from normal.They prefer organizing, and often do not prefer irresponsible things. If it isused as the center of a house (contact with 7), not only is it a building, butalso it is conscious of it as a house, and it needs to be paid attention.Sometimes they prefer some uniqueness, and contact with arrow (9) needs tobe noted.FRhombic system1114Strong stabilization is desired, and dependence is often low. ReversalStable. Don'trepresents instability and may require request or help. In some cases, contactmove easily. Towith (2) as a house has a different meaning and it is desirable to familybe motivated.cohesion.1217Standard forms represents strong instability, but they may be insensitive, thePicky. Unstable.instability and may not be problematic. Usually, it is applied in an inclinedDon't want tomanner in many cases, and it represents stability. Contact with the icons (7)calm down.represents an inclined house and may represents instability within the family.Strong self-assertions are few, dependence may be strong, and it need to besatisfied.GSharp system137The arrangement in the opposite Δ at 45 degrees slope represents a strongDangerous.sense of instability and may indicate an unrest of mind. In many cases, two-Tight. Sharp,sided contact at the four corners of the check sheet has a strong dependencedangerous.and is required to be stable and secure. Contact with icon (2) represents theDoubtful.house and it needs to be analyzed as a house or a family.1415It may represent sharpness and acuteness, and may represent a strongCut. Dangerous.demand. It has a meaning as a sword and a meaning as a arrow, and itStick. Be stuck.needs to be distinguished. In the case of a sword arrangement, it isA cone.necessary to interpret the meaning by paying attention to the orientation. Inparticular, contact with icons (11) needs to be paid attention. The same as foricon (1/5).HUnique system159The arrangement as a → is primarily, but it also has a mining as a spear. InAttention. See.particular, contact with icons (11) needs to be paid attention. The same as forHere.icon (1/5). In addition, this may mean escape or release from a specificPerspective.space, and the directionality in A1/A3/A4 needs to be noted.1612It may be used as a moon simply, or it may be arranged in a structuredAnxiety. Scared.manner by contact with icon (11). There is no concern if it is at the upper partSomehow.of the check sheet. If it exists in A1/A3/A4, it may represent a strong sense ofVague.solitude.1718If it exists at the upper part of the check sheet, it may indicate hope orHope. Wish.pleasure, but if it exists at the bottom, it may indicate a sense ofExpectations.hopelessness and ask for help. If it is placed in A5, it has a self-assertion, andIf it is placed in A1, it represents a strong sense of security. In the case of A3,it represents the existence as a treasure, and this is often the assertion that itis cherished.1816Originally, it was influenced by color, but the color blue represents passiveFeeling. Like.love and likes. If it exists in A1/A3/A4 itself, their own secret pleasures andKind.hopes are existed. The incline of the icon may indicate distrust or discomfort,and it must be paid attention if it exists at the bottom of the check sheet.

TABLE 4TotalIt indicates the number of used icons,and if the number is large, it indicatespositiveness or diversity. Conversely,if it is low, it indicates passiveness orprudence. If icons are used in excessof the standard, attention should be paidbecause of inattentiveness, strength ofself-assertion, etc. If it is less thanstandard, it tends to be self-denial and tobe hidden, it is difficult to communicate.αA systemSystem A is the number of icons whenicons are applied to locations other thanlines (lines/frames) of the check sheet.This means that the line component ofthe check sheet is not taken into account.βO systemThe system 0 is obtained by subtractingthe system A from Total, and when it is0, it indicates that icons do not exist onthe line components (linesand frames) of the checksheet. There is also a sense ofprudence and inability to overtake theline, but it is not be passive.TotalSpecified commentNumberof IconsCount2-5FewI don't want to know about myself. Iwant to hide. It's bothering. Attentiondeficit, decreased consciousness6-10Ordi-There is no protrusion. It is weak tonaryrestriction. Common.11-17ManyAttention deficit, hot flashes, excessiveconsciousness, and frisk too mach.IconOver-There is an positiveness and breakingover-lappingpower. When the number is large, thelappingdegree of diversity is indicated, and theandformed figure needs to be examined aftercontactevaluating the given meanings.ContactThere is positiveness and breaking power,but at the same time there is prudence.When the number is large, thereare diversity and spread of thought,and the formed figure needs to beexamined after evaluating the givenmeanings.Line-1st-In the case of contact with the lowercontactcontactframe, although there is a strong sense ofstability and sense of security, there is atendency to desire it. If it contacts withlines (lines or corners) other then theframe of the check sheet. It representsdependence, emphasis, and sense ofsecurity, and they are sought at the sametime. If it contacts with the frame of theupper part, it may indicate anxiety ordespondency.2nd-If it contacts with any one of the fourcontactcorners of lines of the check sheet, itindicates strong stability, security, andit is sought at the same time. Numbersrepresent its intensity When a line otherthan the frame is contacted, it preferssurprise, and there is a self-assertiondifferent from the others. The search mustbe tested including contact betweenthe icons.Icon No.It indicates the condition of the person11/(the person in question/the person)depending on the location of the existence(details are described separately)Icon No.It indicates the state of desire depending18/on the location of the existence (detailsare described separately)Icon No.It indicates the state of consciousness12/depending on the location of the existence(details are described separately)Icon No.It indicates the state of feeling depending16/on the location of the existence(details are described separately)Icon No.It indicates the state in which the direction9/is placed depending on the location ofthe existence (details aredescribed separately)Icon No.It indicates the state of the symbolized11/12person (the person in question/theperson) depending on the location of theexistence (details are describedseparately)Icon No.It indicates the state of the person (the11/15person in question (the person) who hasa strong relationship with othersdepending on the location of the existence(details are described separately)

TABLE 7Num-Desig-bernationItemDefinitionsSample1ANumberNumber of applied icons(including protruding icons)2BIf this icon is present, “1” is input.3If this icon is present, “1” is input.4If this icon is present, “1” is input.5If this icon is present, “1” is input.6If this icon is present, “1” is input.7If this icon is present, “1” is input.8CCrowdedA case where many icons areSee FIG.Arrange-gathered (in contact with each18Amentother or overlapped) in some areas9DispersiveA case where icons are appliedSee FIG.Arrange-mostly distributed18Bment10BalancedA case where they are appliedSee FIG.Arrange-one by one, for example, in18Cmenteach area in a balanced manner11DeviativeA case where the icons are appliedSee FIG.Arrange-in an overlapping manner18Dmentso as to form a cluster.12BottomA case where three or more iconsSee FIG.Arrange-are applied in the bottom18Ementarea (including the bottom line)13UpperA case where three or more iconsSee FIG.Arrange-are applied in the upper18Fmentarea14Top-and-A case where icons are appliedSee FIG.Bottomto the top and bottom areas,18GArrange-with no icons in the middle areament(other than the top andbottom areas)15Left-and-Acase where icons are applied toRightthe right and/or left sideSee FIG.Arrange-areas, with no icons in the middle18Hmentarea (other than the leftand right side areas)16DProtrudingA case where any icon extendsSee FIG.Arrange-beyond the line of the frame,18Imentincluding a case where there isany icon stepping on the lineof the frame17EDollA case where the face andSee FIG.Arrange-circular icons are applied to18Jmentspecified positions (A4/A5), andanother case where they areapplied to form a doll (a head anda body) at other positions18FOver-A case where icons are given inSee FIG.lappingan overlapping manner18K19ContactA case where icons are in line-,See FIG.face- or point-contact with18Leach other20Close-A case where three or more iconsSee FIG.Vicinityare applied in close18Mvicinity, nearly in contactwith each other

Icons are selected and applied to the check sheet shown inFIGS. 1A and 1Bby the examinee. Icons identical to the icons shown inFIGS. 1A and 1Bare stored in the computer100. In the present invention, the number of icons to be applied by the examinee is limited to 10-15.

The reason for this is that, in the present invention, it is necessary to test a large number of examinees rather than looking at one individual examinee, and therefore, the number of application should be limited. Therefore, in the present invention, the icon size is reduced to the extent that the examinee would not feel frustration even when selecting the lowest number of the icons. In other words, in the present invention, in order for the examinee to feel a degree of freedom when applying the icons to the check sheet, the icons should be relatively small so that they do not occupy a large area of the check sheet when they are applied. This will expand spatial recognition when the icons are applied to the check sheet.

In the memory104of the computer100, the definitions of the lines, areas, corners and contact points described in the check sheet are stored in advance in a first table, and the types of the icons and the definitions of their meanings are stored in a second table.

A third table stored in the memory104stores the given meanings/definitions and code numbers as shown inFIGS. 3A to 3Ldepending on the position of a particular icon in the check sheet, i.e., on a particular line, at a particular corner, in a particular area or at a particular contact point.

A fourth table in the memory104stores the given meanings/definitions and code numbers as shown inFIGS. 4A to 4Ddepending on the positional relationship between the icons or between the icon(s) and the line(s) (icon relationship).

FIGS. 5A to 5Care code tables (single) of the logic comments in the third table, andFIG. 6is a code table (combination) of the logic comments in the third table. In addition,FIGS. 7A to 7Care master sheets for test analysis, andFIG. 8is a master sheet for the headquarters computer100.

A fifth table stored in the memory104stores the specific patterns defined in TABLE 5 and TABLE 6 as specific situations. Ten types of specific patterns will be described later with reference toFIGS. 9A to 9G. In addition, the fifth table stores specific patterns defined for “overlapping”, “contact”, and “line-contact” shown in TABLE 6, as well as “close-vicinity” to be described later.

A sixth table stored in the memory104stores definitions defined in advance as shown in TABLE 7,FIG. 9GandFIG. 10with respect to the given meaning in a case wherein a specific icon appears.

Each icon described in TABLE 3A, TABLE 3B, and TABLE 4 is sorted into eight groups as follows and have designated comments stored in the above-described tables.

A system (human system): Face

Want to be related to people. Have someone who I want to be targeted. Cannot ignore people. Have someone important. Have someone dislike.

Column: Want to enrich. Want to be satisfied. Abundant.

D system (rounded-corner system): regular hexagon, regular pentagon

Regular hexagon: Someone interested. A scary person.

Regular pentagon: Medicine. Have a dependence. Want to rely on. Want to calm down.

Rectangle: Same as normal.

Square: slightly different from normal.

In addition, “specific situation” shown in TABLE 5 defines ten types of specific patterns in this embodiment, as described below.

FIGS. 9A to 9Gare the specifications for the specific situations in the fifth table.FIG. 9Ashows the calculation logic of the “crowded arrangement”,FIG. 9Bshows the calculation logic of the “dispersive arrangement”,FIG. 9Cshows the calculation logic of the “deviative arrangement”,FIG. 9Dshows the calculation logic of the “bottom arrangement”,FIG. 9Eshows the calculation logic of the “upper arrangement”,FIG. 9Fshows the calculation logic of the “protruding arrangement”, andFIG. 9Gshows the calculation logic of the “doll arrangement”.

The definitions and calculation logic of the specific situations are as follows.

The crowded arrangement refers to a case where a centroid of all the icons is located in two or three proximate areas. For example, it is in the areas A2, A10 and A9.

The calculation logic is as follows.(A) The area A4 is determined as a part of either the area A1 or the area A8. In addition, the area A5 is determined as a part of either the area A3 or the area A8.

(B) A case where there is any icon not belonging to the areas A1-A13 will not be regarded as the “crowded arrangement”.

The proximate areas have following 58 combinations.

The dispersive arrangement refers to a case where one or two icons are located in an area not in vicinity to the lines. In this case, areas A1, A2 and A3 are not targets of proximate lines.

The calculation logic is as follows.(A) In a case where two or more icons exist in any one of areas A1, A2 and A3,(B) In a case where there is any icon not belonging to areas A1-A13,(C) A case where three or more icons exist in any one of areas A4 to A13 will not be regarded as the dispersive arrangement.(D) It does not fall under the dispersive arrangement, if <1> there is at least one icon belonging to Area A6 and A7, <2> there is at least one icon in A6 and A8, <3> there is at least one icon in A6 and A13, <4> there is at least one icon in A7 and A8, <5> there is at least one icon in A8 and A9, <6> there is at least one icon in A9 and A10, <7> there is at least one icon in A10 and A11, <8> there is at least one icon in A11 and A12, <9> there is at least one icon in A12 and A13 (FIG. 9B).

The balanced arrangement refers to a case where there is only one icon in one area. The calculation logic is as follows. The following cases will not be regarded as the “balanced arrangement”.

<1> If there are icons not belonging to areas A1 to A13,
<2> If two or more icons exist in one area,
<3> If the icons exist which number is less or more than the prescribed numbers.

The deviative arrangement refers to a case where all icons exist in the outermost two areas. However, areas A4 and A5 should be considered as area A8. The calculation logic is as follows. The following cases should be regarded as the deviative arrangement. (FIG. 9C)

<1> All icons exist in areas A6 and A7
<2> All icons exist in areas A6 and A13
<3> All icons exist in areas A7 and A8
<4> All icons exist in areas A8 and A9
<5> All icons exist in areas A9 and A10
<6> All icons exist in areas A10 and A11
<7> All icons exist in areas A11 and A12
<8> All icons exist in areas A12 and A13

The bottom arrangement refers to a case where all icons exist in the bottom areas A11, A12 and A13. Therefore, the bottom arrangement includes the following seven cases by this calculation logic (FIG. 9D).

The upper arrangement refers to a case where all icons exist in the upper areas A7, A8 and A9. Therefore, the upper arrangement includes the following seven cases by this calculation logic (FIG. 9E).

The protruding arrangement refers to a case where all icons are stepping on or protruding outward from any of the outer peripheral lines L-1to L-7. The calculation logic for the protruding arrangement is determined not based on the centroid of the icons but based on the area and line data from the analysis engines. If the flags of the icons in the following eight areas shown inFIG. 9Fare all ON, it is regarded as the “protruding arrangement”.

<2> OUT U

<4> OUT R

<6> OUT D

The top-and-bottom arrangement refers to a case where all icons exist in the upper areas A-7, A-8 and A-9 and in the lower areas A-13, A-12 and A-11, which is the calculation logic therefor.

The left-and-right arrangement refers to a case where all icons exist in the left areas A-7, A-6 and A-13 and in the right areas A-9, A-10 and A-11, which is the calculation logic therefor.

The doll arrangement refers to a case where some face icon exists in A4 and/or A5 to form a doll. The calculation logic for the doll arrangement is as follows. First, the icons which may form a face include:

In addition, it is recognized as the doll arrangement if the body icon(s) is combined with the face icon in the following manners (FIG. 9G).

FIG. 10shows criteria separately provided for determining the details of the doll arrangement. This is also stored in the computer's memory104.

Next, “overlapping”, “contact”, “line-contact” and “close-vicinity” described in TABLE 6 will be described. “Overlapping” refers to a situation in which icons overlap each other, and “contact” refers to a situation in which the peripheral parts of the icons contact each other, including “line-contact” meaning a situation in which the peripheral part of the icon contact with the line in the check sheet. The “close-vicinity” refers to a situation in which the icons touch the line of the other icons and check sheets.

TABLE 7 is a template showing the meanings of the icons input to the computer. Based on TABLE 7, the presence or absence of an icon picked up and applied to the check sheet by the examinee is input. Incidentally, when the computer cannot determine the application state of the icons, it may be done by the person in charge according to TABLE 7.

The “designations” A-F in TABLE 7 have the following meanings.

A: Number designation

B: Selection and designation of specific icon

Based on TABLE 7, if there is any icon applied on the check sheet, its icon number is input. For example, “1” is input if there is “column” in the designation column B, and “0” is input if there is not. The “crowded arrangement”, “dispersive arrangement”, “balanced arrangement”, “deviative arrangement”, “bottom arrangement”, “upper arrangement”, “top-and-bottom arrangement” and “left-and-right arrangement” in the designation column C is determined based on the typical examples shown by reference inFIG. 18AtoFIG. 18M, and “1” is input for any of these that is determined, and “0” is input for any that is not determined. If the computer is unable to make a determination, it may be done by the person in charge according to TABLE 7. Similarly, if the “protruding arrangement” is recognized in the designation column D, “1” is input, and “0” is input if it is not. In the designation column E, “1” is input if it is recognized as the “doll arrangement”, and “0” is input if it is not. If the “overlapping”, “contact” or “close-vicinity” is recognized in the designation column F, “1” is input, and “0” is input if it is not.

The definitions of the items in the columns C to F in TABLE 7 are as follows.

Crowded Arrangement: a case where many icons are gathered (in contact with each other or overlapped) in some areas (see the typical example inFIG. 18A).

Dispersive Arrangement: a case where icons are applied mostly distributed (see the typical example inFIG. 18B).

Balanced Arrangement: a case where they are applied one by one, for example, in each area in a balanced manner (see the typical example ofFIG. 18C).

Deviative Arrangement: a case where the icons are applied in an overlapping manner so as to form a cluster (see the typical example inFIG. 18D).

Bottom Arrangement: a case where three or more icons are applied in the bottom area (including the bottom line) (see the typical example inFIG. 18E).

Upper Arrangement: a case where three or more icons are applied in the upper area (see the typical example inFIG. 18F).

Top-and-Bottom Arrangement: a case where icons are applied to the top and bottom areas, with no icons in the middle area (other than the top and bottom areas) (see the typical example inFIG. 18G).

Left-and-Right Arrangement: a case where icons are applied to the right and/or left side areas, with no icons in the middle area (other than the left and right side areas) (see the typical example inFIG. 18H).

Protruding Arrangement: a case where any icon extends beyond the line of the frame, including a case where there is any icon stepping on the line of the frame (see the typical example inFIG. 18I).

Doll Arrangement: a case where the face and circular icons are applied to specified positions (A4/A5), and another case where they are applied to form a doll (a head and a body) at other positions (see the typical example inFIG. 18J).

Overlapping: a case where icons are given in an overlapping manner (see the typical example inFIG. 18K).

Contact: a case where icons are in line-, face- or point-contact with each other (see the typical example inFIG. 18L).

Close-Vicinity: a case where three or more icons are applied in close vicinity, nearly in contact with each other (see the typical example inFIG. 18M).

FIGS. 18A to 18Mshow typical examples described in the “Sample” column in TABLE 7.

In the designation field C, normally one item is selected, but up to two items may still be selected. As a result, the arrangement state can be grasped first. However, with respect to the one representing the positions of the top, bottom, left and right, there is some combination which does not cause any inconsistency even in an overlapping manner, and therefore, the system is set up so as to allow such combination.

A computer100having the above-described configuration is used to determine an examinee's mental structure. An examinee applies a predetermined number (10-15) of desired icons to desired positions on the check sheet within a time limit (about 5 minutes). Based on the flow chart ofFIG. 12, the check sheet to which the icons have been applied is processed by the computer in steps S1to S16.

Next, a processing procedure by the computer100will be described with reference toFIG. 12. First, the check sheet to which the icons have been applied is read to (e.g., scanned and input to) the headquarters computer100(S1). Then, the total number of the icons applied to the check sheet is counted (“Count Up”·S2).

The specific situation of the icon application is then determined. The determination of the specific situation is a determination as to whether or not the icon application corresponds to all or part of the “Crowded arrangement” (S3), “Dispersive arrangement” (S4), “Balanced arrangement” (S5), “Deviative arrangement” (S6), “Bottom arrangement” (S7), “Upper arrangement” (S8), “Protruding arrangement” (S9), “Doll arrangement” (510), “Top-and-Bottom arrangement” (S11), and “Left-and-Right arrangement” (S12). A series of determination steps of the “specific situation” (S3to S12) is a step of extracting the application state of the icons.

If a “specific situation” is present (on), the determination is made as follows.

Dispersed Arrangement: scatter. Distraction of consciousness. Can't break out of my shell. Unknown anxiety. Can't depend on someone.

Bottom Arrangement: Stability orientation. Dependence. Seek peace of mind. Have confidence. Strong awareness of the current situation. No change.

Left-and-Right Arrangement: unstable. Segregation awareness. Escape from the center. Fear of the center.

Next, the “overlapping” (S13), “contact” (S14) and “line-contact” (S15) arrangements are determined for the selected and applied icons. These steps determine the refractive directionality (“direction”) of the examinee's personality. For example, when the amount of the “overlapping” is large, it is determined that he/she tends to have a strong deflecting property, and when the amount of the “line-contact” is large, it is determined that he/she tends to be stable. The details are as follows.

Contact: Feelings to approach of interest. Awareness of interval. Dependence. Look into empathy. Want a dialogue or relationship.

Line-contact: Strong dependence. Want to be stable. Escape from loneliness. Consciousness according to rules. Telepathy.

The determination of the doll arrangement is based on the sixth table (FIG. 10) in which the definitions for formations of face and body are stored. With respect to this determination, the person in charge manually modifies the processing result based on the above-mentioned criteria, if necessary.

Thus, when the processing for an examinee is completed (S16), the process returns to Step S1, and the above-described series of steps is performed for the next examinee.

Next, the content of evaluation in each step will be described. The count-up evaluation of the total icon number is as follows.

<1> If the count-up number is not limited, evaluation is performed as follows.

0: The response is evaluated as unresponsive or simply rejected (did not want to respond).

1˜17: It is evaluated as motivative, self-expressive and self-assertive (high).

<2> There may be a limit on the number of count-up (10-18)

9 or less: It is evaluated as misunderstanding, not very responsive or simply rejected (did not want to respond).

18 (ALL): It is evaluated as misunderstanding, self-assertive (fairly high), very motivated and very interested.

As described above, mental structure i.e. mental functions will include ones to be grasped as amygdala responses and others to be grasped as neocortex responses. A person responds to a stimulus by the amygdala earlier than by the neocortex by about 100 ms. The amygdala's responses include likes and dislikes, perceptions of dangers, aversions and strange feeling, etc. The amygdala emits dangerous signals in response to an alien substance (including unknown substances) entering the body, and reflex nerve motion or the like is immediately performed without passing through the neocortex.

On the other hand, the neocortex's response is recognized as being influenced by the experiences and knowledge of a certain individual. This means that what passed through the reaction of the amygdala is ultimately determined by the neocortex's response.

The present invention is based on the recognition that selection and arrangement of the icons include one resulting from the amygdala's response and another resulting from the neocortex's response, by which the analysis is performed.

In this regard, the overlapping, contact and line-contact is evaluated as follows in the specific situation interpretation steps.

“Overlapping” represents a condition in which a plurality of icons are overlapped, which may be regarded as a response by the amygdala. The selected and applied icons are recognized as representatives of people and/or goods, and the potential consciousness and tendency such as hiding and crushing are expressed by the overlapping.

“Contact” represents a condition in which the peripheral parts of the icons are in contact with each other, which may be regarded as a response by the neocortex. This can be identified as a response representing a close relationship but not reaching the overlapping.

“Line-contact” represents a condition in which the lines in the check sheet and the peripheral parts of the icons are in contact with each other, which may be regarded as a response by the amygdala. This is representative of strange feelings but is only occasional. This can be grasped as an unconscious reaction not much influenced by the neocortex.

“Close-vicinity” represents a condition in which an icon is in contact with another icon and/or the line components of the check sheet, which is the neocortex's response.

Considering that the amygdala's response occurs earlier than the neocortex's response by 100 ms, the specific situations of icon application are classified into the following three cases in different conditions, which will be evaluated as follows.

<1> Icons Used and not Used

This reaction can be grasped as a reaction by an interest in the icons. Thus, the amygdala's response appears first (the sensory response precedes the neocortex's response). It also shows not only interest but also recognition of necessity, etc.

<2> What is Affected by the Icons' Area and the Line Component of the Check Sheet

An examinee will apply icons while being influenced by the areas or the line components. That is, the presence or absence of an influence on the areas or the line components is an object of observation.

If the icon is applied not in an independent manner, not only the reaction by the amygdala but also the reaction by neocortex is added later. In other words, while cerebral reactions require trial and error, selection and application is an irreversible reaction, so as a result, it is observed that the amygdala's response occurs first.

<3> Interaction Among Icons

Icons can be observed not only in an independent manner but also in an interactive manner such as “overlapping” and “contact”, and in some cases, icons may express the up-and-down or master-slave relationships.

The relationship between icons and line components of check sheets is the relationship between those that can be moved (icons) and those that cannot be moved (check sheets). In contrast, the icon-to-icon relationship differs only in that they can be moved, and because the amygdala's response precedes the neocortex's response by 100 ms, this will be affected by the resulting icon selections, as well as the response described in the preceding section. In other words, the interaction among icons is that the meaning of the existence of an icon alone disappears and the relationship between the icons is created. For example, star icons and moon icons are perceived to be located at the upper part because they are in a celestial body. The combination of a round icon and a square icon recalls a doll from its shape.

The crowded arrangement means that the icons concentrate on a particular area or at a point. The crowded arrangement includes different stages of close-crowding, contact-crowding and overlap-crowding, which represents introversion, including a demand to hide oneself in a group. This reaction is derived from likes and dislikes, which will first be managed by the amygdala.

The dispersive arrangement is a situation in which icons are not clustered and the distances between icons and line components remain constant. Dispersive arrangement expresses openness and extroversion. The neocortex is reached as if there were no amygdala responses, such as “freely, without restraint . . . ”. In other words, the dispersive arrangement is the response of neocortex.

The balanced arrangement is a case in which the icons are arranged in a well-balanced manner, such as one in each of the areas. This is a particular condition of the dispersive arrangement, which results from the neocortex's response. If neocortex has no sense of balance, the balanced arrangement cannot be formed.

Though not as much as the crowded arrangement, the deviative arrangement is a case in which the icons are concentrated slightly in a particular area. In other words, the deviative arrangement is a case in which the icon distribution is biased, which results preferentially from the amygdala's response. The neocortex has a little affect on the deviative arrangement, because it may be corrected later.

The bottom arrangement is a case in which the icons are located at the bottom of the frame. The bottom arrangement is a stabilization-seeking reaction that is a response by the neocortex occurring later than the amygdala's response.

The upper arrangement is a case in which the icons are concentrated in the upper three areas. The upper arrangement retains a natural sense, and its relation to the icons is important. For example, when the star and moon icons are located in the upper areas, it will represent a normal sense because they are in sky. If the star or moon icons are located in the lower areas, it can be assessed that there is some effect from the neocortex. If many icons are placed on the upper areas, this represents anxiety. Anxiety is the neocortex's reaction, and it can be confirmed that this is much influenced by the later reaction.

The top-and-bottom arrangement is a case in which the icons are located in the upper and lower areas and there are few icons in the center. The top-and-bottom arrangement emerges as a result of being influenced by the likes and dislikes and a strange feeling. This will mainly result from the amygdala's response.

The left-and-right arrangement is a case in which the icons are located in the left and right areas, which is a logical response by the neocortex. The top-and-bottom arrangement and the left-and-right arrangement would be found in a limited number of cases.

The protruding arrangement is classified into complete out-of-frame protrusion and partial protrusion. The complete protrusion is a reaction preferentially by the amygdala, which may be understood that something in the subconscious becomes explicit and then is reacted to. The partial protrusion is a reaction preferentially by the neocortex rather than by the amygdala, including hesitation.

The doll arrangement is a case in which the icon located in the lower area is square and the icon located in the upper area is circular. The doll arrangement is a reaction by the neocortex, in which something originally in the subconscious becomes explicit.

Since every icon has its own meaning as shown in TABLE 3A and TABLE 3B, selecting an icon is interpreted as being introspective because it reflects mental function and state. On the other hand, it is understood as being reflective, if the icons are deemed to be arranged in some interactive manner with a specific position, angle and the like in the check sheet that is an environment. Similarly, the interaction among icons can be grasped as being reflective. In other words, “introspective” means a looking-back by oneself on the function and state of one's own mind, and “reflective” means that meanings and interpretations are given from outside without looking back by oneself on the function and state of one's own mind.

Because the amygdala's responses occur earlier than the neocortex's responses by 100 ms, the sensory system reacts earlier than thinking, analyzing and judging by the neocortex. In other words, the retina reacts thorough visual information, which is transmitted to the amygdala. Then, also thanks to the neocortex's response, the brain expresses a potential response. Icon application also involves a bored response with time, but if interested or motivated, the response persists and the icon application increases. If there is a limit on the count-up number of the icons, the neocortex will respond in a similar manner within the limits.

FIG. 11shows the content of the process specification table stored in the memory104, and the processed result is output as a test result as follows.

Icon part (count: the icon number applied)

Icon part (positional state of icon application)

Icon part (state of adopted icons alone and in combination)

The computer-processed data is stored in the headquarters computer100as a test result according to the present invention.

The order of the icons shown inFIG. 11will be described.

InFIG. 11, the icons are shown in the order of from the rounded icons to the angular icons from left to right. Icon No. 12 (moon), Icon No. 18 (star), and Icon No. 16 (heart shape) are shown in this order from left to right.

Examples

FIGS. 13 to 17show different examinees' examples. In each of the drawings, part (A) shows an example in which an icon is applied by the examinee, part (B) shows processing of the in-computer data obtained by totaling the locations of the applied icons.

InFIG. 13, part (A), the application state of the icons by the examinee 0001 will be recognized as follows based on TABLE 7.

Therefore, at this stage, the examinee 0001 is determined as follows.

InFIG. 14, part (A), the application state of the icons by the examinee 0002 will be recognized as follows based on TABLE 7.

Thus, the examinee 0002 is determined at this stage as follows.

InFIG. 15, part (A), the application state of the icons by the examinee 0003 will be recognized as follows based on TABLE 7.

Thus, the examinee 0003 is determined at this stage as follows.

InFIG. 16, part (A), the application status of the icons by the examinee 0004 will be recognized as follows based on TABLE 7.

Thus, the examinee 0004 is determined at this stage as follows.

InFIG. 17, part (A), the application state of the icons by the examinee 0005 will be recognized as follows based on TABLE 7.

Thus, the examinee 0005 is determined at this stage as follows.

Each of the above-described data shown inFIGS. 13 to 17is stored in the headquarters computer100as the inspection result, which can be used as a material for further investigation.

The standard test time for icon application according to the present invention is about 5 minutes. In addition, there are restrictions on the age of examinees, and those who are between working age and 60 years old are eligible for inspection, especially those who are up to about 45 years old.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the areas are formed by depicting any combination of the boundary elements such as lines, including straight lines, curved lines and broken lines, corners and contact points in a rectangular frame, but may be a so-called open sheet formed by depicting any combination of these boundary elements in a frameless test area. In this case, since the areas shown in a display can be grasped as a window when the check sheet is considered to be a part of a spherical surface, it can be interpreted in the same manner as in the above-described embodiments which is applied to a finite or framed area. That is, the interpretation of the test results of the examinees 0001 to 0005 shown inFIGS. 13 to 17may also be applicable to this case.

The shape of the figure in which the areas are partitioned is not limited to that shown inFIGS. 1A and 1Band may include various embodiments such as shown inFIGS. 19A and 19BandFIG. 20, for example.

InFIG. 19A, the boundary elements depicted in a rectangular border frame1consisting of frame lines1ato1dcomprise a circularFIG. 5having a cut-off4at the upper part of a curved circumferential line3, a triangularFIG. 7having a cut-off6at the apex thereof and an intermediate straight line11extending in parallel with a straight bottom line10between opposite oblique-side lines8,9, a straight line13(inclined straight line) extending obliquely down and to right from the right end of the intermediate line11to the frame line1b, a broken line14(inclined broken line) extending obliquely up and to right from the middle portion of the inclined straight line13to the lower part of the circularFIG. 5, and a S-shape curved line15extending up from the middle portion of the bottom10to the frame line1d. With these boundary elements, the above-mentioned areas are divided into nine sectional areas, among which three are located almost in a horizontal direction and other three almost in a vertical direction. The cut-off4opens upward and the cut-off6opens downward.

InFIG. 20, the boundary elements depicted in a rectangular border frame1consisting of frame lines1ato1dcomprises a circularFIG. 5having a cut-off4at the upper-right part of a curved circumferential line3, a triangularFIG. 7having a cut-off6at the apex thereof and an intermediate straight line11extending in parallel with a straight bottom line10between opposite oblique-side lines8,9, a straight line13(inclined straight line) extending obliquely up and to right from the right end of the intermediate line11to the frame line1a, a broken line14(inclined broken line) extending obliquely up and to left from the left end (opposite to the inclined straight line13) of the bottom10to the frame line1c, a S-shape curved line15extending down from the rightward middle portion of the bottom10to the frame line1b, another straight line16(connecting line) connecting one end of the cut-out4of the circularFIG. 5to one end of the cut-out6of the triangularFIG. 7, and another straight line17(inclined line) extending obliquely between the left end (opposite to the inclined straight line13) of the intermediate line11and the right end of the bottom10. With these boundary elements, the areas are divided into nine sectional areas, among which three are located almost in a horizontal direction and other three almost in a vertical direction. Both cut-offs4and6open upward.

FIG. 21shows another embodiment wherein only a part of the above-mentioned boundary elements is used. In this embodiment, the boundary elements depicted in the border frame1comprise a quadrangular hole20at the left having straight lines18aand a straight line18bperpendicular thereto with an opening at the top19, and a U-shaped hole24at the right having parallel straight lines21a,21band a semi-circular curved line22connecting the lower ends of the straight lines21a,21bwith an opening at the top23.

In the case of the check sheet as shown inFIG. 21, a relatively simple investigation is performed, which makes it possible to reduce the burden on the examinee. On the other hand, when a check sheet in which a lot of the boundary elements are depicted to form a lot of areas as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, 19A and 19B, and 20, the investigation becomes relatively complicated, which makes it possible to perform a wide range of investigations and therefore to obtain various analytical results.

The visual approach-based aptitude testing method according to the present invention can be used, for example, for judgement of vocational aptitude of personnel in entrance examinations (including mid-career recruitment examinations) and promotion examinations in companies and government offices. It may also be used for personnel evaluation.