Comparisons

Description of the instrument
Comparisons increases an individual's ability to differentiate between parameters of comparison and develops the cognitive functions involved in comparative behavior. The instrument provides concepts, labels, and operations with which to describe similarities and differences. From Comparisons individuals learn to organize and integrate separate and distinct bits of information into coordinated and meaningful systems. The instrument helps build learners' feelings of competence and independence by enriching the repertoire of attributes by which they compare objects and events.

Cognitive functions developed

• Ability to keep in mind a great number of parameters during the process of elaboration.
• Making a plan that will take into account the complexity of the tasks.
• Use of hypothetical thinking and hypothesis testing to evaluate the alternative response.
• Selection of relevant cues and reference points
  

Mediation of sample tasks
An opportunity for mediated regulation and control of impulsive behavior is provided in the sample tasks below, in which a number of given parameters must be discnminated among. A feeling of competence is mediated to the students as strategies for the solution of the tasks are discussed. Goal-setting and goal-achieving behavior must also be mediated.

Sample tasks
Circle the word or words that describe what is common between the sample pictare on the left and each of the pictures in the same row.

©1996 R. Feuerstein, HWCRI.