| Test Number |
6 |
| Title |
ALPHA – Biographical Inventory |
| Author |
|
| Category |
Self-Report Inventory |
| Copyright Date |
1972 |
| Availability |
Contact publisher |
| Restrictions |
|
| Age/Grade Level |
Grades 9 – 12, adapted, possible use for age 12 through adult |
| Cost |
No information is available at this time |
| Forms |
One |
| Source |
The Institute for Behavioral Research in Creativity |
| Address |
1570 South 1100 East Salt Lake City, UT 84105 |
| Phone |
801-487-3209 |
| Fax |
801-487-3771 |
| web or e-mail |
|
| Definition |
p. 14 of the manual: “The creative student who scores high on the Creative Talent Key is one who is independent, exploring, self-sufficient, confident, aware of complexities in himself and in his environment, and is therefore more likely to express his individuality through his activities.” The creative person is independently competent, more capable of effectively and uniquely producing and expressing himself in his activities |
| Purposes |
This is designed to predict creativity and college GPA, and aid in the identification of different talents. |
| Characteristics |
Openness and Courage to Explore Ideas Listening to One's Inner Voice |
| Manual |
| Good |
The manual seems well-organized. It includes a discussion of: its definition and purposes, the target populations and its norms; administration directions, its history and development, and citations of related research. |
| Validity |
| Fair |
The manual indicates that the instrument has been validated against occupational and academic criteria.” however those criteria are not made clear in the manual. The instrument is reported to have a predictive validity of .87. The data reported are based |
| Reliability |
| Fair |
While stability is reported as being between .83 and .91, there is no evidence reported form internal consistency. Much of the reported data are based on earlier editions. |
| Utility |
| Good |
This untimed 300 item multiple-choice test takes from 9 to 120 minutes to complete. The instructions are clear. Scoring is by external service. |
| Interpretation |
| |
Some of the items need to be updated. Half of the items refer directly to school related topics. Most refer to factors known to correlate with academic success. Some items tap aspirations, interests, and motivation with respect to education. Several self-report items deal with originality, creativity, and curiosity. The instrument seems relatively free from social bias in creativity. |
| Propriety |
| Poor |
Not addressed in the manual. |
| Reviews & Related Lit |
| The manual states “past behavior, experiences, and self-descriptions can be used as indicators of future performance.” MMY #7, 1972; Ward, W. C. “Despite … reservations, it appears likely that the ALPHA – Biographical Inventory can provide meaningful variance that is not identical to the variance captured by more standard instruments in the creativity and academic performance domains, and that it is deserving of attention now as a research instrument, and eventually as a possible aid in academic and occupational selection. Davis, G. A., & Belcher, T. L. (1971). How shall creativity be measured? Torrance Tests RAT, Alpha Biographical, and IQ. Journal of Creative Behavior, 5(3), 153-161. Taylor, C. W. (1959). The identification of creative scientific talent. American Psychologist, 14, 100-102. Taylor, C. W., & Barron, F. (eds.). (1963). Scientific creativity: Its recognition and development. NY: Wiley. |
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