Corporal Plus test system

The Corporal Plus test system is used for computer-aided psychodiagnostics of cognitive basic functions in the visual-spatial area. The individual test procedures of Corporal Plus show cross-connections with one another. The developer Michael Berg calls this thematic test system .

The presentation on the computer enables the test procedures to be carried out automatically and also to be evaluated in a differentiated manner.

history

The beginnings go back to the 1990s and are based on the developer's experience with established computer-aided psychological test apparatus. The first software initially contained only four tests with visual stimulus material to determine functions of attention. The name for the previous system was derived from this: Test System Corporal A (A = Attention). In the course of reprogramming, the test spectrum was expanded to include additional test procedures for recording functions of attention. A separate external input device was also developed.

In 2013, Corporal A was replaced by the new Corporal Plus test system. It is based on the standards of the Corporal A test system, but on the software and hardware side, it has been adapted to modern operator requirements and current technical standards. The original test system Corporal A (= Attention) has now become a subsystem; supplemented by the subsystems Corporal S (= Spatial Ability) and Corporal R (= Recall).

Key device of the Corporal Plus test system. Four answer options: up, down, right, left.

In the course of the redesign, the test spectrum could be expanded to include additional test procedures, e.g. B. be supplemented with acoustic stimulus presentation.

Theoretical background

The Corporal Plus test system is based on test procedures that emerge from one another and, due to the design, have cross-connections with one another. Two simple visual symbols (arrow and cross) with exactly the same complexity are used as stimulus material in the entire test system. Their specific relationship to one another determines the task requirements in the respective test procedures.

This construction principle is based on the constituent approach formulated by Berg (1993) and starts directly with the difficulty of the task. Assumptions are derived from the knowledge of the cognitive sciences about which variables / sub-processes cause the difficulty of test tasks (so-called difficulty constituents). The difficulty of test tasks can thus be determined in terms of content in terms of a theory-based difficulty profile and can then be compared with the empirically obtained difficulty profile. This is where the principle of validation used in the Corporal Plus test system comes into play: theory-based construct validity (Berg, Reimann & Schubert, 2014).

Test procedure

In the Corporal Plus test system, 14 test procedures are available in 14 languages for the areas of attention, spatial orientation and working memory. Due to the design, there are two test forms for each test procedure.

Examples of test procedures in Corporal Plus:

Concentration: The test procedure for determining the ability to concentrate is based on mechanisms of selective attention - recorded by interference tasks. These have become known through the classic experiments of Stroop (1935) and the Stroop effect . The test person has to react to the orientation of the arrow and "shield" it against the location of the arrow.

Task: Where does the arrow point? Answer: right.

Orientation: The test procedure for determining spatial orientation ability is based on the theories of mental rotation by Shepard and Metzler (1971). You have to react to the orientation of the arrow, but from the perspective of the cross.

Task: Where does the arrow point from the perspective of the cross? Answer: left.

Working memory: The test procedure enables the performance of working memory to be recorded and is based on the assumptions about the “visuo-spatial sketch pad” by Baddeley (1974) ( Baddeley's working memory model ). You have to react to a sequence of eight crosses and at the same time keep it in your mind. The previously presented sequence must then be reproduced.

Task: First memorize the position of eight crosses in the correct order and then remember them.

Areas of application

The Corporal Plus test system is particularly well established in the field of medical-psychological examinations . Particularly important in this context is the listing in the commentary on the assessment guidelines, as a system for fitness to drive diagnostics approved in all federal states. Other areas of application include:

Neuropsychology
Clinical Psychology
Aptitude diagnostics, especially in the area of the suitability of employees for activities that place special demands on cognitive performance. Corporal is also mentioned as a possible test procedure when testing the side effects of drugs.
Occupational and traffic medicine
gerontology

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b Berg, M & Schubert, W .: The thematic test system "Corporal" for recording functions of attention - innovation for traffic psychological diagnostics . In: magazine for traffic safety . tape 45 , no. 2 , 1999, p. 74-81 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Berg, M. & Nädtke, J .: Psychometric Test System Corporal Plus. Test system for the detection of cognitive functions in the image-spatial area - manual. Vistec, Olching 2015.
↑ Berg, M .: The Constituent Approach - A Way to Higher Productivity of Performance Diagnostic Methods. In: G. Trost, KH Ingenkamp & RS Jäger (Ed.): Tests and Trends 10, Yearbook of Pedagogical Diagnostics. Beltz, Weinheim and Basel 1993.
↑ Berg, M., Reimann, C. & Schubert, W .: Validation of performance psychological test procedures under aspects of road safety. In: magazine for traffic safety . No. 60-3 , 2014, pp. 150 .
^ Stroop, JR: Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. In: Journal of Experimental Psychology . tape 18 , p. 643-662 .
^ Shepard, RN & Metzler, J .: Mental rotation of three-dimensional objects. In: Science . No. 171 , p. 701-703 .
^ Baddeley, AD & Hitch, GJ: Working Memory . In: GH Bower (Ed.): The psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research and theory. Vol. 8. Academic Press, New York 1974, pp. 47-89 .
↑ Brieler, P., Kollbach, B., Kranich, U. & Reschke, K .: guidelines for traffic psychological interventions . Kirschbaum, Bonn 2016.
^ Kiegeland, P .: Praxishandbuch der Exploration . Deutscher Psychologen Verlag GmbH, Berlin 2011, p. 48-49 .
^ Schubert, W., Schneider, W., Eisenmenger, W. & Stephan, E .: Assessment guidelines for suitability for driving, commentary . 2nd Edition. Kirschbaum, Bonn 2005.
^ Kahl, KG & Winter, L .: Workplace-related psychotherapy. Intervention, prevention and rehabilitation. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2017.
↑ Reimann, C. et al .: Handbook of fitness to drive . Ed .: Patermann, A., Schubert, W. & Graw, M. Kirschbaum, Bonn 2015, p. 191-193 .
↑ Berg, M .: Psychometry in company medical practice using the example of the Corporal test system . In: Hofmann, F. & Kralj, N. (Hrsg.): Handbook of company medical service. Basics, practice, organization . Ecomed medicine, Heidelberg, Munich, Landsberg, Frechen, Hamburg 2011.
↑ Schulz, P., Spannhorst, S. et al .: Preliminary Validation of a Questionnaire Covering Risk Factors for Impaired Driving Skills in Elderly People . In: Geriatrics . No. 1, 5 , 2016.

[:1-1] Berg, M & Schubert, W .: The thematic test system "Corporal" for recording functions of attention - innovation for traffic psychological diagnostics . In: magazine for traffic safety . tape 45 , no. 2 , 1999, p. 74-81 .

[:0-2] Berg, M. & Nädtke, J .: Psychometric Test System Corporal Plus. Test system for the detection of cognitive functions in the image-spatial area - manual. Vistec, Olching 2015.

[3] Berg, M .: The Constituent Approach - A Way to Higher Productivity of Performance Diagnostic Methods. In: G. Trost, KH Ingenkamp & RS Jäger (Ed.): Tests and Trends 10, Yearbook of Pedagogical Diagnostics. Beltz, Weinheim and Basel 1993.

[4] Berg, M., Reimann, C. & Schubert, W .: Validation of performance psychological test procedures under aspects of road safety. In: magazine for traffic safety . No. 60-3 , 2014, pp. 150 .

[5] Stroop, JR: Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. In: Journal of Experimental Psychology . tape 18 , p. 643-662 .

[6] Shepard, RN & Metzler, J .: Mental rotation of three-dimensional objects. In: Science . No. 171 , p. 701-703 .

[7] Baddeley, AD & Hitch, GJ: Working Memory . In: GH Bower (Ed.): The psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research and theory. Vol. 8. Academic Press, New York 1974, pp. 47-89 .

[8] Brieler, P., Kollbach, B., Kranich, U. & Reschke, K .: guidelines for traffic psychological interventions . Kirschbaum, Bonn 2016.

[9] Kiegeland, P .: Praxishandbuch der Exploration . Deutscher Psychologen Verlag GmbH, Berlin 2011, p. 48-49 .

[10] Schubert, W., Schneider, W., Eisenmenger, W. & Stephan, E .: Assessment guidelines for suitability for driving, commentary . 2nd Edition. Kirschbaum, Bonn 2005.

[11] Kahl, KG & Winter, L .: Workplace-related psychotherapy. Intervention, prevention and rehabilitation. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2017.

[12] Reimann, C. et al .: Handbook of fitness to drive . Ed .: Patermann, A., Schubert, W. & Graw, M. Kirschbaum, Bonn 2015, p. 191-193 .

[13] Berg, M .: Psychometry in company medical practice using the example of the Corporal test system . In: Hofmann, F. & Kralj, N. (Hrsg.): Handbook of company medical service. Basics, practice, organization . Ecomed medicine, Heidelberg, Munich, Landsberg, Frechen, Hamburg 2011.

[14] Schulz, P., Spannhorst, S. et al .: Preliminary Validation of a Questionnaire Covering Risk Factors for Impaired Driving Skills in Elderly People . In: Geriatrics . No. 1, 5 , 2016.