Bhatia's Battery of Performance Tests of Intelligence

Overview

• Bhatia's Battery: A performance-based intelligence test widely used in the Indian subcontinent, often referred to as Bhatia's intelligence test.
• Components: Consists of 5 subtests:
  1. Kohl's Block Design (BD)
  2. Alexander's Pass-along (PA)
  3. Pattern Drawing (PD)
  4. Picture Construction (PC)
  5. Immediate Memory (IM)
• Standardization: Originally standardized on Indian boys (ages 11 to 16) during the 1950s.
• Quotient Yields:
  • Intelligence Quotient (IQ) from all 5 subtests.
  • Performance Quotient (PQ) from the 4 performance tests (BD, PA, PD, PC).
  • IQ and PQ range: 69 to 131.

Importance and Limitations

• Popularity: Despite its age and limitations, it remains popular for training in many universities and psychology institutes in India.
• Assumptions and Criticisms:
  • Assumes significant intelligence differences between literate and illiterate groups, leading to separate norms.
  • Criticized for potentially misestimating IQs due to this separation, affecting feedback, disability percentage calculations, and interventions.

Reasons for Popularity

1. Performance Test: Useful for individuals with language incompatibilities or poor verbal skills.
2. SLD Assessment: Utilized for children suspected of Specific Learning Disabilities, especially if average intelligence is suspected.
3. Efficiency: Short administration time (30-45 minutes).
4. Engaging Subtests: Includes colorful and culturally relevant materials that enhance cooperation and motivation.
5. Separate Norms: Provides norms for literates and illiterates, appealing to professionals due to high illiteracy rates.
6. Ease of Use: Simple to administer and score.

Subtests Details

• Kohl's Block Design (BD): Tests abstract reasoning, spatial visualization, and problem-solving with colored blocks.
• Alexander's Pass-along (PA): Assesses practical intelligence and problem-solving through object manipulation tasks.
• Pattern Drawing (PD): Evaluates perceptual organization, visual-motor coordination, and attention to detail through geometric patterns.
• Immediate Memory (IM): Measures short-term memory and attention span with digit or letter sequences.
• Picture Construction (PC): Tests perceptual organization, visual-motor coordination, and problem-solving with picture fragments.

Historical Context

• Developer: Created by Chandra Mohan Bhatia in 1955.
• Focus: Emphasizes performance over verbal intelligence, providing only a Performance IQ.

Procedure Example

1. Preparation: Subjects sit comfortably and are introduced to materials.
2. Instruction: Demonstrations provided, followed by a start signal to begin timed tasks.
3. Record Keeping: Time taken for each task is noted for analysis.

Critical Reference

• Roopesh, B. N. (2020): Provides a critical appraisal of Bhatia's Battery in the Indian Journal of Mental Health.

This summary outlines the core aspects of Bhatia's Battery of Performance Tests of Intelligence, focusing on its components, application, benefits, and limitations.