SOME RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONCEPTUAL COMPLEXITY AND MENTAL ABILITIES
Authors: Reed Samuel C. 
Published: August 2014

Several studies have indicated that a measure of the complexity of the conceptual structure with which a person deals with stimuli has potential for predicting certain types of performance involving information processing. Many of the theoretical operations and characteristics of more conceptually complex modes of behavior resemble descriptions of the exercise of ability constructs. The main purpose of the present study was to explore the relationships between a measure of conceptual complexity—the Paragraph Completion Test (PCT)—and measures of several established abilities.

Several hypotheses were advanced concerning the relatedness of conceptual complexity to verbal abilities, general reasoning abilities, divergent production abilities, mastery of logic, and a measure heavily saturated with Spearman's “g” factor.

A battery of tests was administered to 189 high school students. The PCT was given twice during the testing sessions. Estimates of the reliability of the PCT were computed using an internal consistency method and the test‐retest procedure. Multiple regression analyses were performed using the ability tests as independent variables and the two administrations of the PCT as dependent variables. Two factor analyses were performed on the intercorrelation matrix of the ability tests and the conceptual complexity tests.

The scores of the subjects were divided into two groups, designated high and low conceptual complexity. The interrelations of the abilities of the two groups of subjects were then compared by testing the hypothesis that high complexity subjects have a different organization of abilities as reflected in the ability test intercorrelations.

The two methods of computing reliability both gave estimates of .24 for the first administration of the PCT. These estimates were probably too low inasmuch as the computed communality and squared multiple correlation of the PCT with the ability test battery were both larger.

The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that the best predictors of performance on the PCT at the first administration were tests of general reasoning and subtests of the Progressive Matrices Test. This finding was interpreted as suggesting that the general reasoning factor involves an ability to structure problems and to deal with complexity, where complexity is defined by the number of elements and relations in a problem. The best predictors of performance on the second administration of the PCT were the Simile Interpretation Test, the Utility Test, and the general reasoning tests.

The factor analysis identified a factor marked by the PCT. This was interpreted as suggesting the existence of a capability of the subjects not being measured by the ability tests.

It was suggested that some of the restrictions on measures of conceptual complexity are unnecessary. Among the indications found in this study was that multiple‐choice questions may be adequate for the assessment of complexity.

It was recommended that further research in the area on conceptual complexity take more account of the role of ability constructs in determining performance in complex environments.