Developments in Learning Potential Assessment

Abstract

Intelligence testing in former East Germany and in other socialist countries has been problematic due to the “pedological decision” of the Soviet Communist Party in 1936 banning intelligence tests. This chapter develops the learning potential or learning ability test concept based on the ideas of the well-known Soviet psychologist Vygotsky. He differentiated the so-called Zone of Actual Development, measured by traditional intelligence tests, from the so-called Zone of Proximal Development, indicated by the level reached after a training phase. The chapter aims to combine the advantages of assessment during a training phase with the advantages of psychometric methods. It develops an objective and practicable device. Despite similarities with the Learning Potential Assessment Device, developed by R. Feuerstein, it underlines the need for a more psychometric approach in order to achieve comparable results. The chapter emphasizes, however, that psychometric approach does not exclude individual learning and testing as meant by Feuerstein.