Efficiency of the Vineland Adjustment Score Card for Measuring Social Behavior

Abstract

Early in 1928 two articles were published by Lloyd N. Yepsen, in which he claimed to have evolved a method whereby be havior of an individual in relation to his environment could be meas ured quantitatively. Instead of descriptive adjectives, such as good, fair, poor, or numerical designa tions based on qualitative judgments, this device utilizes clear statements as to what individual actually does and as to attitude of others toward him. These statements, which were selected after careful clin ical analyses of individual deviations in a large group of children, ' ' are printed on an Adjustment Score Card. This card, at present, con sists of fourteen major items, subdivided into from four to seven minor categories under main headings, which gives a total of 75 objective statements of social adjustment. The device is applicable in either individual or group study. In scor ing, one statement under each of major headings which is most characteristic of subject must be checked by informant, or scorer. For example, under main heading, Attitude Toward Others, one of following statements must be checked : (a) Is cruel, a ' 'bully. ' ' (b) Cooperates, is considerate of others, (c) Makes best of any situation, (d) Rough, but means well, (e) Cooperates, is considerate, a leader. If (a) is checked, subject scores 2 points; if (b) is checked, he scores 12 points, and so on. The total score ranges from 24 to 150 points, and the theoretically well-adjusted child can obtain a score of 100. The application of method is fairly easy after subjects have been carefully observed. If this method fulfills its purpose, it undoubtedly forms a very im portant contribution, not only to psychiatry and psychology, but also to educational practice in general. In order to test efficacy of Card, therefore, an investigation was carried out in Robert Bowie School at Tempe, which is situated in a so-called Poor White area, or suburb of city of Bloemfontein, capital of Orange Free State Province of Union of South Africa.

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