Methods of experimental psychosemantics, subjective scaling method

methods that ensure the use of quantitative indicators to assess the attitude of subjects to certain objects, which can be physical or social processes. To carry out subjective scaling, there are a number of methods characterized by certain rules, according to which numerical ratings are assigned to certain qualities of objects. Within the framework of classical psychophysics, the following are used: the mean error method; minimal change method; method of constant stimuli. New methods include:

1) direct methods - such as equalizing intervals, number line estimation, pairwise comparison, ranking;

2) indirect methods - for example, the Fechner method of scaling subtle differences (-> microscaling).

SCALING METHODS

English methods of scaling) - methods of subjective quantitative assessment (measurement) of the properties of various objects (physical, aesthetic, social, mental, etc.).

To measure the intensity of sensation, classical psychophysics used Fechner's law, which for the first time established a quantitative relationship between physical and subjective quantities (the so-called basic psychophysical law). According to this law, the perceived intensity of a sensation is proportional to the logarithm of the magnitude of the stimulus. However, the basic psychophysical law formulates a certain relationship between the magnitudes of sensation and stimulus only for cases when the parameters of an object related to the intensity characteristic (weight, brightness, etc.) are studied. More often there are complex, multidimensional objects whose characteristics do not have physical measures. Such signs of multidimensional objects, as well as phenomena of an aesthetic and social nature, are outside the scope of Fechner’s law, but it could be. quantitatively expressed using the methods of modern psychophysics (S. Stevens, L. Thurstone). Research by many authors has shown the possibility of using new methods to quantitatively characterize any perceived, imagined or imaginable stimuli. These methods (which, in contrast to the “indirect” methods of classical psychophysics, are called “direct”) include: equalization of intervals, direct numerical assessment, paired comparison, ranking (for the last 2 methods, see Measurements in psychology).

1. A method of direct subjective assessment of stimulus magnitude using a standard stimulus and a number of variables. The standard (module) is designated by some convenient number (1.10 or 100). The subject's task is to designate the variable stimuli with numbers so that these numbers reflect the magnitude of the relationship between the standard and the variable.

2. A method of selecting from a number of stimuli a subjective stimulus that is half or double compared to some initial standard stimulus, then half or double compared to the newly selected stimulus, etc.

3. Equal interval method. This method is used in the case when, for 2 given stimuli, it is necessary to find a 3rd one, which should be in the middle between the given stimuli, i.e., it should be subjectively as different from the 1st as from the 2nd. You can divide further: between one of the original data and the found stimulus, find an intermediate one.

Based on these methods, subjective scales have been developed for loudness, pitch, duration of sound, strength of pain stimulation, weight, brightness, smell, taste, temperature, etc. But these same methods, with some tweaks, can be used to construct subjective scales, for example. , for works of painting or literature, fairy-tale characters, writers, cities, etc. See also Crossmodal comparison, Multidimensional scaling, Non-metric scaling.

Scaling methods

Word formation. Comes from Lat. scala - stairs.

Kinds. To carry out the process of subjective scaling, there are a number of methods characterized by certain rules by which numbers are assigned to certain qualities of objects. Within the framework of classical psychophysics, the methods of average error, minimum measurements, and constant stimuli are used. New psychological methods include, firstly, direct methods, such as equalizing intervals, direct numerical assessment, paired comparison, ranking, and secondly, indirect methods, for example, the Fechner method of scaling subtle differences.

SCALING METHODS

Simple, scaling procedures. Although a century of research into the construction of psychological scales has produced dozens of variations, the most common procedures can be classified into three general classes. 1. Scaling intervals. Subjects are asked to evaluate stimuli based on intervals or differences. In bisection, the subject must set the stimulus so that it is midway between two other stimuli; in categorical evaluation, he must distribute various stimuli into a small number of categories; In the equal-appearing interval method, stimuli must be distributed among groups so that the intervals between them are subjectively equal. 2. Scaling relationships. The subject evaluates subjective experience by assigning numbers, either directly or indirectly, to stimuli so that they reflect their magnitude as assessed in sensations. In magnitude estimation, each stimulus is assigned a number reflecting its proportional intensity relative to some standard; for example, if a standard is assigned the number “10”, then a stimulus that is subjectively twice as large is assigned “20”, a stimulus that is half as large is assigned “5”, etc. In the production (standard) method, the subject is asked to produce a stimulus that corresponds to some proportional value of the standard, for example, twice as bright, corresponding to one-third in volume, etc.; this procedure is also called the adaptation method. When mutually comparing modalities, quantities are obtained indirectly; for example, the volume of a tone is adjusted so that it sounds as loud as a given weight feels. 3. Non-metric scaling. These are procedures for scaling psychological variables that are non-metric, that is, that simply cannot be dealt with in the form of an interval scale. This group includes scales of preferences, tastes, judgments of values, etc. The typical technique here is to present the subject with pairs of stimuli and ask him to rate them in terms of desirability or preference; for example, would the subject choose a cheese sandwich or a ham sandwich? There are several mathematically sophisticated procedures by which these ordered judgments can be represented as true interval scales. See multidimensional scaling.

§Borrowed from classical psychophysics (Woodworth, Schlosberg, 1974). This is a method of directly obtaining a matrix of semantic similarity of objects. §The subject is given the task of assessing the similarity of values ​​using a certain gradational scale. For example, a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 is no similarity, 5 is almost identical. §This is a fairly accurate method (Miller, 1971), but labor-intensive. The study of semantic relations of objects requires n(n–1)/2 pairwise comparisons to construct a similarity matrix.

Next, a multivariate analysis procedure was applied. Its essence is as follows. Based on the matrix of subjective similarity (the distance between the analyzed objects), a geometric space of the minimum possible dimension is reconstructed, in which the distances between the coordinate points corresponding to the analyzed objects are similar to the subjective distances of the similarity matrix.

Mathematically, the multidimensional scaling procedure consists in determining the coordinate projections of points onto some coordinate axes, based on the known distances between points. Based on the found loadings of each word for each of the selected factors-axes of the semantic space, the coordinates of these words in the semantic space were reconstructed.

The most developed technique for semantic analysis. Discussed in detail in the works of J. Deese (1962), Dixon and Horton (1968), Creelman (1965). An analysis of the psychological nature of the processes underlying associations is given in the works of A.A. Leontyeva, L.B. Itelson, A.A. Brudny, B.A. Ermolaeva, V.F. Petrenko et al.

The measure of semantic proximity (distance) of a pair of words is the degree of coincidence in the distribution of answers. That is, the degree of similarity of objects of analysis is established through the similarity of the associations data on them. This value in the works of different authors can be called: intersection coefficient, association coefficient, overlap measure.

Associations are divided into paradigmatic (reaction words and stimulus words from the same grammatical class: father-mother, chair-table, etc.) and syntagmatic (stimulus words and reaction words from different grammatical classes: car-riding, smoking -bad, etc.)

Advantages - simplicity, ease of use, because can be simultaneously carried out on large groups of subjects; - the ability to identify unconscious components, because subjects work with meaning in the mode of use; - associative technique reflects both the cognitive structures behind linguistic meanings and the individual characteristics of the subjects, their personal meanings.

Developed in 1955 a group of American psychologists led by Charles Osgood. Initially used to study the mechanisms of synesthesia. It has been widely used in studies related to human perception and behavior, with the analysis of social attitudes and personal meanings. The SD method is a combination of scaling procedures and the method of controlled associations.

The SD method measures connotative meaning. These are states that follow the perception of a stimulus symbol and necessarily precede meaningful operations with symbols (Osgood, 1957). An analogue of this in Soviet psychology is the concept of “personal meaning”, as the meaning of meaning for the subject (A.A. Leontiev, 1965; A.N. Leontiev, 1975).

Advantages of the SD method: Compactness (unlike the associative method). ¦Ease of data processing (numerically presented standardized data is easy to statistically process). ¦The possibility of associations based on the principle of rhyming cliches, rhyming associations, i.e. associations caused not by the similarity of the content plan, but by the similarity of the expression plan.

Concept scores on individual scales correlate with each other. With the help of factor analysis, it is possible to identify bundles of highly correlated scales and group them into factors. Charles Ozgood considered the phenomenon of senesthesia to be a psychological mechanism that ensures the interconnection and grouping of scales into factors. American psychologist L. Marx (1975) considered synesthesia as a universal form of prelinguistic categorization that provides generalization at the level of the organism.

A measure of the proximity of the objects under study in the SD method is the similarity of assessment profiles given on SD scales. For example, let’s consider three profiles obtained using the SD method “Evaluation of speech properties” according to the factor of emotional expressiveness, expression. The figure shows that the first profile (*) differs significantly in estimates from the second and third profile +). And the last two profiles are similar to each other.

Factors are a form of generalization of antonym adjectives. Grouping scales into factors allows you to move from describing objects using features specified by scales (polar profile method) to a more capacious description using a smaller set of category factors.

Geometrically, the axes of semantic space are category factors (orthogonal, independent of each other). Connotative meanings of objects (emotionally rich, weakly structured and little realized forms of generalization) are specified as coordinate points or vectors within this space. These points are reconstructed based on knowledge of their projections on the factor axes (in other words, these are the factor loadings of the object for each factor).

In his studies, Ozgood (1962) scaled concepts from a wide variety of conceptual classes and identified three universal categorization factors that are identical among representatives of different linguistic cultures, people of different educational levels, and even in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy subjects. 42 In the development of the SD method, the following trends can be identified: The transition from the construction of universal semantic spaces that differentiate vocabulary from a wide variety of class concepts to the construction of particular semantic spaces. Expanding the means of describing the analyzed objects, using non-verbal, in particular visual, contrasts to construct scales. The transition from the construction of spaces based on group average data of randomly selected subjects to the construction of semantic spaces characterizing a group of subjects united by a controlled characteristic (gender, age, social class, etc.), or to the construction of semantic spaces reflecting the differential psychological aspects of personality the subject, his cognitive style.

Scaling methods Etymology.

Comes from Lat. scala - stairs.

The use of quantitative indicators to assess an individual’s attitude towards certain objects, which can be physical or social processes.

To carry out the process of subjective scaling, there are a number of methods characterized by certain rules by which numbers are assigned to certain qualities of objects. Within the framework of classical psychophysics, the methods of average error, minimum measurements, and constant stimuli are used. New psychological methods include, firstly, direct methods, such as equalizing intervals, direct numerical assessment, paired comparison, ranking, and secondly, indirect methods, for example, the Fechner method of scaling subtle differences.

Psychological Dictionary. THEM. Kondakov. 2000.

SCALING METHODS

(English) methods of scaling) - methods of subjective quantitative assessment (measurement) of the properties of various objects (physical, aesthetic, social, mental, etc.).

For measuring intensity of sensation classical enjoyed it Fechner's law, who was the first to establish a quantitative relationship between physical and subjective quantities (the so-called basic psychophysical law). According to this law, the perceived intensity of a sensation is proportional to the logarithm of the magnitude of the stimulus. However, the basic psychophysical law formulates a certain relationship between the magnitudes of sensation and stimulus only for cases when the parameters of an object related to the intensity characteristic (weight, brightness, etc.) are studied. More often there are complex, multidimensional objects whose characteristics do not have physical measures. Such signs of multidimensional objects, as well as phenomena of an aesthetic and social nature, are outside the scope of Fechner’s law, but it could be. quantified using the methods of modern psychophysics (S. Stevens, L. Thurstone). Research by many authors has shown the possibility of using new methods to quantitatively characterize any perceived, imagined or imaginable stimuli. These methods (which, in contrast to the “indirect” methods of classical psychophysics, are called “direct”) include: equalization of intervals, direct numerical assessment, paired comparison (for the last 2 methods, see ).

1. Method of direct subjective assessment of stimulus magnitude using a standard stimulus and a number of variables. The standard (module) is designated by some convenient number (1, 10 or 100). The subject's task is to designate the variable stimuli with numbers so that these numbers reflect the magnitude of the relationship between the standard and the variable.

2. Selection method from a series of stimuli, a subjective-half or double stimulus compared to some original standard stimulus, then half or double compared to the just selected stimulus, etc.

3. Equal interval method. This method is used in the case when, for 2 given stimuli, it is necessary to find a 3rd one, which should be in the middle between the given stimuli, i.e., it should be subjectively as different from the 1st as from the 2nd. You can divide further: between one of the original data and the found stimulus, find an intermediate one.

Based on these methods, subjective scales have been developed for loudness, pitch, duration of sound, strength of pain stimulation, weight, brightness, smell, taste, temperature, etc. But these same methods, with some tweaks, can be used to construct subjective scales, for example. , for works of painting or literature, fairy-tale characters, writers, cities, etc. See also , , .

Large psychological dictionary. - M.: Prime-EVROZNAK. Ed. B.G. Meshcheryakova, acad. V.P. Zinchenko. 2003 .

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Scaling methods- quantitative expression of signs of multidimensional subjective assessments in relation to objects (physical, aesthetic, social, etc.).

To measure the intensity of sensation, classical psychophysics used Fschner's law, which expressed the quantitative relationship between physical and subjective quantities. According to this law, the perceived intensity of a sensation is proportional to the logarithm of the magnitude of the stimulus. However, the basic psychophysical law formulates a certain relationship between the magnitudes of sensation and stimulus only for cases when object parameters related to the intensity characteristic (weight, brightness, etc.) are studied. More often there are complex objects that have several characteristics, for example. shape, quality, etc. Such signs of multidimensional objects, as well as a number of objects and phenomena of an aesthetic and social nature that require evaluation, are outside the scope of Fechner’s law, but can be quantitatively expressed using the methods of modern psychophysics (S. Stevens, L. Thurston). Research by many authors has shown the possibility of quantitatively characterizing any stimuli using new methods.

Any rule for assigning numbers to certain aspects of objects, phenomena or events creates a certain scale. The use of different techniques in assigning numbers to certain properties of perceived objects leads to obtaining different scales. The scales obtained in this way are called subjective (or psychological) as opposed to physical scales for measuring certain qualities of objects. For subjective scaling, researchers used both classical psychophysical methods (method of average error, minimum measurements, constant stimuli) and new psychological methods, which can be divided into two groups. The first group includes direct methods: equalization of intervals, direct numerical assessment, pairwise comparison, ranking. The second group includes indirect methods: Fechner's method of scaling based on subtle differences; scales based on equal variance and reaction times.

The most commonly used methods for constructing subjective scales are:

1. Method of direct subjective assessment of stimulus magnitude using a standard stimulus and a number of variables. The standard is designated by some convenient number (or 1, or 10, or 100). The subject's task is to designate the variable stimuli with numbers so that these numbers reflect the magnitude of the relationship between the standard and the variable.
2. Method of selecting a subjective half or double stimulus from a number of stimuli compared to some original standard stimulus, then half or double compared to the newly selected stimulus, etc.
3. Equal Interval Method. This method is used in the case when, for two given stimuli, it is necessary to find a third one, which should be in the middle between the given stimuli, i.e. must differ as much from the first as from the third. You can divide further: between one of the original data and the found stimulus, find an intermediate one.

Based on these methods, subjective scales have been developed for volume, pitch, duration of sound, strength of pain stimulation, weight, brightness, smell, taste, temperature, etc.

Psychometric techniques

In psychological practice, the diagnosis of functional states is most often

carried out on the basis assessing the success of a certain type of implementation

activities. At the same time, the dynamics of indicators of quantity, quality and

speed of task execution, as well as the underlying changes in the corresponding

psychological functions. The subject of analysis can be real

human labor activity. The main indicators of changes in state in this

In this case, there are shifts in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of efficiency

works, mainly based on their external manifestations. However, external signs

the dynamics of labor efficiency depend on many different reasons, not

directly related to changes in functional state. In addition, for

For a large number of professions, this value cannot be quantified at all,

although the task of diagnosing the condition remains relevant. Therefore, the main

psychological diagnostic tool is the use of short tests

tests characterizing the effectiveness of various mental processes during

solving relevant behavioral problems. In this case, the estimation problem

functional state acts as a typical psychometric task - to describe and

quantify what happened under the influence of certain reasons (in this

in the case of factors influencing the condition of the subject of labor activity) shifts

psychological processes under study.

Almost any of the following can be used to diagnose conditions.

techniques developed in experimental psychology that evaluate the effectiveness

processes of perception, attention, memory, thinking, etc. These include

Bourdon proof test, Schulte tables used for characterization

attention, Ebbinghaus combination method, paired association method, techniques

continuous Kraepelin counting and elementary Pieron-Ruser encryption,

intended for the analysis of intellectual processes. The tests listed in their

numerous modifications are widely used in modern diagnostic

practice. They are considered quite effective and constitute the main arsenal

means used by psychologists.

To typical psychometric procedures tests should also be included

definitions absolute and differential sensitivity thresholds V

various modalities, determination of the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFMF),

analysis of the dynamics of sequential images. However, the observed shifts in these

psychological indicators are most often given a physiological interpretation, and they

mistakenly belong to another category of methods.

Thus, physiological is often considered one of the most common methods

Fatigue assessments - KFSM.

Changes in the functional state of sensory systems appear first

all in changes in sensitivity. Even in early studies of fatigue

evidence of decreased tactile and auditory sensitivity was noted. Dynamics of thresholds

sensitivity is observed under the influence of various factors. Essential

these quantities are affected by a wide variety of physicochemical

environmental factors (from minor nicotine intoxication to

pronounced changes in the oxygen content in the air and the amount of atmospheric

pressure, duration 0.92 0 T performance of activity63

1) First of all, the tasks by which the functional performance is judged

state, as a rule, have little in common with what a person actually performs

activities. Lack of correspondence between tests used and content

work activity in many cases leads to testing failures

functional state. As a striking example of such inadequacy of tests

we can cite the results of one study in which, after continuous 56-

There was no decrease in hours of work on the assembly line among the subjects

test performance efficiency. As K. Cameron notes, this result is unlikely to

be explained by motivational effects - in this case we would have to talk about

heroic efforts of the subjects. This rather indicates a discrepancy

the chosen method for testing tasks and the insensitivity of the analyzed

indicators.

2) Another fundamental drawback of existing psychometric methods

testing is that with their help you can evaluate only the external

the effectiveness of the analyzed function and, as a rule, nothing can be said about

reasons for the observed changes. Using the example of such a widely used group

psychometric tests, as an assessment of the dynamics of short-term indicators

memorization, it is easy to demonstrate the real significance of these difficulties.

In numerous studies of short-term memory conducted with

using traditional methods, contains data on the relative stability of its

characteristics under various unfavorable conditions. Even under extreme

loads – sudden temperature changes, gravitational overloads,

hypodynamic mode, etc. – reduction in the effectiveness of short-term

memorization occurs only when it is not directly related to character

performed activities. At the same time, a number of authors note that fatigue and other

unfavorable conditions clearly affect the processes of transferring information from

short-term memory u1087 into long-term memory and retrieving material from the latter. These

facts can be interpreted as manifestations of a high degree of automation of the process

short-term storage and the complexity of its operational structure, which is quite flexible

to ensure effective memorization when operating conditions change.

However, they do not allow us to concretize the idea of ​​the reasons underlying

The picture of shifts obtained using traditional methods is quite varied.

Consistent experimental implementation of ideas about

functional state as a systemic reaction with broad

adaptive capabilities, involves turning to the analysis of mechanisms

determining the specifics of its manifestations. Accordingly, the methodological methods used

the means must provide the possibility of obtaining such information. One of

The most promising ways to create adequate psychometric techniques are associated with

using modern theoretical concepts of functional structure

various mental processes.

When trying to describe specific mechanisms of change in efficiency

of the processes under study, knowledge of the type of impact is of fundamental importance

loads. Two alternative assumptions can be distinguished as main ones.

The first of them is that under conditions of exposure to unfavorable factors

there is a general decrease in the individual’s resources, which leads to a uniform

deterioration in performance of a wide variety of tasks. The second is based on the opinion about

specificity of the influence of load on the operation of individual structures.

On the existence of a specific or localized load effect

The results of many studies indicate. One of the most striking evidence

This assumption was obtained by analyzing the work of the left and right hemispheres

brain. Thus, it was found that if for a long time

information is addressed to only one hemisphere, then fatigue does not affect

performing tasks related to the activities of another. In addition, the left hemisphere

processing verbal information, is less resistant to negative

influence of loads than the right one, providing spatial-objective

description of the situation.

Such data can be explained using three different hypotheses:

a) under the influence of load, shifts occur in all structures, directly

included in the process of solving the problem facing the subject;

b) the load causes a generalized, but varying degree of deterioration

the activities of a wide variety of structures, including those included in the work;

c) the load causes selective, but not specific in relation to all

the peculiarities of the problem being solved, violation of certain structures.

Probably, depending on the level of analysis (individual neurons,

physiological systems, mental processes) the type of load impact can

turn out to be different. In studies devoted to the study of the course of cognitive

processes (selective attention, short-term memory, semantic

coding) under conditions of exposure to noise, fatigue, danger and other

unfavorable factors, data were obtained confirming the validity of the third

hypotheses. The negative impact of loads is reflected in violations of a certain

type of psychological operations - peculiar “weak points” in the supporting

solving a problem for a functional system. In this regard, it seems appropriate

use of a complex of differentiated diagnostic techniques that allows

obtain a simultaneous assessment of the characteristics affected by the load

elements of the system and their relationships.

One of the essential conditions for the successful use of psychometric

techniques is the technical support of the experiment. Possibilities of traditional

Formal methods organized according to the “pencil-paper” type are clearly insufficient

for a detailed analysis of the structure of the studied mental processes. Usage

hardware techniques for diagnostic purposes impose certain requirements on

unification of technical means in order to standardize testing conditions. One

one of the most powerful areas of technical rationalization of diagnostic

process is the use of a computer. On the one hand, based on control computers

it is possible to simulate various situations for the analysis of complex

mental processes in real time. This is facilitated by the use

various types of displays, with the help of which high-quality presentation is carried out

varied and practically unlimited in volume of stimulus material in

a wide range of varying time conditions. On the other hand, if there is

appropriate software makes it possible to complete

automation of diagnostic experiment. In addition to presenting the necessary

information The computer can register the test subjects’ responses and process

data directly during the testing process. Based on this it can be obtained

express assessment of a person's functional state. Formalization of the procedure

testing makes it possible to select optimal research strategies based on

adequate techniques for planning experiments and developing adaptive programs

type. In the literature there are descriptions of automated software

experiments for complex psychometric and psychophysiological

research.

However, the introduction of computers into the field of practical research is not always

turns out to be possible. Then “small” funds come to the aid of the researcher.

automation” – portable installations specialized for carrying out

testing within a limited class of psychometric tasks in advance

fixed area experimental conditions, easy to handle and suitable for

transportation. There are already similar types of

experimental stands designed for the implementation of various complexes

psychometric techniques, tested both in laboratory and in

production conditions.

Subjective assessment methods

Prospects for using subjective techniques for diagnostic purposes

explained by the variety of manifestations of symptoms of various conditions during

inner life of an individual - from a complex of feelings of fatigue to specific

changes in self-afferentation that occur under unusual conditions of activity.

Despite the widespread opinion about the information content of subjective

data, this area of ​​research has been outside scientific development for a long time.

Moreover, the issue of fundamental

the possibility of using self-report data to obtain reliable information.

Indeed, the formation of a complex of subjective experiences is directly influenced

factors such as the subject’s attitude and his self-reflection skills, the degree

awareness of symptoms and the time of their manifestation, a pronounced dependence on the level

motivation, significance of activity, personal characteristics of a person. However, according to

according to the fair statement of S. G. Gellerstein, subjective manifestations are nothing

other than a reflection of the state of objective processes in the consciousness or sensations of the

person. The researcher must find an adequate way to analyze this area

manifestations of life activity. Summarize the content of the ongoing

decades of discussion can be said in the words of B. Muschio, the creator of the first subjective

fatigue scaling techniques: “There are the most conflicting opinions about

the possibility of using feelings of fatigue as indicators of fatigue.

however, they reflect the unsuccessful attempts of modern psychology rather than

the true state of affairs."

In parallel with theoretical debates, there is an intensive development of specific

methods for subjective assessment of functional states. Most often as an object

diagnosis is fatigue. However, there are subjective methods for assessing

states of monotony, various forms of anxiety, experiences of stress.

The development of this group of techniques followed the path of careful study

symptoms of the conditions under study and identification of two main methodological

directions: the survey method and the method of scaling subjective experiences, which

in a certain sense can be considered as successive stages of preparation

diagnostic test.

Questionnaires

This group of methods is aimed at identifying qualitatively diverse

experiences of a state that can be realized with greater or less ease

person. The identified symptoms are included in the questionnaire in the form of detailed

verbal formulations in question or affirmative forms.

Quantitative assessment or determination of the severity of each symptom is not

is the main goal of such research. Characteristics of the human condition

is based on the total number of noted symptoms II analysis of their qualitative

originality. Individual questionnaires differ significantly in volume

features included in their composition and methods of their grouping. The length of the questionnaire may

vary from a few signs to several tens or even hundreds. General

the tendency in the development of modern questionnaires is the desire to limit

list of symptoms, which meets the requirements of the brevity of the test test and

ease of quantitative processing. At the same time, this presupposes the inclusion of

a list of the most important, “key” features.

The selection of informative symptoms and their grouping are the main ways

creating more compact and reliable questionnaires. When carrying out such work

multivariate statistical analysis tools are often used. In the work of S.

Kashiwagi was used in constructing the fatigue assessment questionnaire

The variety of manifestations of fatigue can be classified as follows:

symptoms of low activation, low motivation and physical disintegration.

It was assumed that the first two groups of symptoms are common to almost all

all types of labor.

The source material for constructing the questionnaire was 48 statements,

describing various manifestations of fatigue. A study was conducted in

in which 65 subjects, using a seven-point scale, assessed the suitability of each

verbal formulation for testing fatigue. Based on factorization

Based on the obtained data, two groups of the most informative symptoms were identified,

united by the conventional names “weak activation” and “weak motivation”. In table 1

The content of the developed questionnaire is presented.

Among the symptoms included in the questionnaire are:

the presence of which is difficult for the test subject to assess, especially in conditions

production process (for example, the nature of the expression of the eyes and face). Naturally,

that this causes certain difficulties when using the test. On the other side,

the presence of such externally expressed signs is highly desirable, since they

open up the possibility of objective control over the responses of the subjects.

Table 1 Questionnaire for diagnosing fatigue by S. Kashiwagi

“Weak activation” “Weak motivation”

Not ready To work

Sunken cheeks

Avoiding Conversations

gloomy face

Lifeless eyes

Irritability

Apathetic face

Errors at work

Avoidance of gaze

Difficulty in communication

Slowness

Drowsiness

Concerns about other things

Pale face

Woody face

Trembling fingers

Inability to concentrate and listen

Developing better questionnaires involves finding

compromise solution.

One of the main methodological difficulties that arise when using

questionnaires for diagnostic purposes, – lack of adequate methods of quantitative

evaluation of the results obtained. Summary score of total number of symptoms noted

– too rough an indicator, especially if it does not take into account comparative

the significance of the presence of a particular feature. In addition, questionnaires usually do not

The severity of each symptom is determined. These shortcomings are partly

are overcome using subjective state scaling techniques.

Methods for subjective state scaling . This group of techniques

designed for a more refined assessment of the condition. The subject is asked to correlate his

sensations with a number of signs, the formulation of each of which is as concise as possible.

They are represented, as a rule, by either a pair of polar signs (“tired - not tired”,

“cheerful - lethargic”), or a separate short statement (“tired”, “weakness”,

"rested"). It is assumed that a person is able to assess the severity of

each symptom, correlating the intensity of internal experience with a given

rating scale. Depending on the form of presentation of the symptom, there are

bipolar and mono- or unipolar scales. In most cases, these techniques

are modifications of the semantic method widely used in psychology

differential by C. Osgood.

A serious problem is the search for optimal design methods

the rating scales themselves. In this case, the first question arises about the dimension

scales, their form and ways of working with them. Usually scales containing

five, seven or nine gradations. However, in some cases their number is significant

increases: for example, in one of the works of U. Lundberg and M. Frankenhäuser it is used

100 point scale. Non-graduated scales are quite widespread - so

called “visual analogues of rating scales” - and graphic scales. In that

In this case, subjects are offered straight segments of a given size, on which they

mark the distance that subjectively corresponds to the intensity of the scaled

experiences.

Against the backdrop of such diversity, studies devoted to

choosing the optimal type and size of scales. There is a justifiable tendency towards

avoiding excessive fragmentation of gradual assessments. In the study by McKell-Bii

it is shown that the accuracy of subjective scaling does not change with increasing number

gradations on a scale above five, as well as when moving to graphic scales L.

Hallsten and G. Borg prefer seven-point scales. Specially

the question of the comparative value of using bipolar and

monopolar scales. At the same time, the opinion is often expressed about the advantage

the latter.

The development of subjective methods poses the task of selection and unification

meanings of words and expressions included in the list of symptoms. For this purpose it is usually

L. Thurstone's method is used. Its implementation requires the presence of sufficient

a large group of test subjects - experts working to create their own

scales. The first stage of work consists of selecting a limited number of words and

expressions characterizing the critical degrees of the analyzed state, from

an extensive list of verbal formulations existing in every u1103 language. Then by

for a number of classifications of the same group of experts, the order of arrangement is established

selected features within the scale. Using this method, we developed and

simple one-dimensional fatigue rating scales (J. McNally, 1954), and modern

multifactorial techniques.

History of the application of the scaling method in the field of fatigue diagnostics

began with the works of B. Muschio and A. Poffenberger. The last one was proposed

a one-dimensional seven-point scale built on the basis of basic common sense

sense. It can be found in many modern studies. However, more often when

when constructing scales, they proceed from the idea of ​​the existence of a complex

heterogeneous experiences corresponding to a certain state. Supposed,

that such a symptom complex is represented by clearly different groups of signs,

the severity of which varies depending on the degree of development of the condition.

scaling physical fatigue. Using cluster analysis from the original

from the selected list of symptoms, groups of signs were identified, characterized by

the similarity of the structures of correlations within each of them and the complete

independence of different groups. Three groups of signs were identified: “fatigue”

(C1), “unwillingness to work” (C2), “motivation” (C3). Below is a list of symptoms

fatigue included in the final version of this test (Table 2). Based

comparison with data from other diagnostic methods showed that, in general,

the proposed test is suitable for measuring physical fatigue. Qualitative

analysis of the composition of the groups shows that the first of them includes symptoms of “organic”

manifestations of fatigue. This group of signs is the most numerous and clearest

of everything allocated.

Table 2. List of signs included in the “Physical Questionnaire” test

activity"

Gru sign

Sign Group

1. Increased breathing

2. Muscle pain

3. Feeling

fatigue

4.Difficulty breathing

5. Increased frequency

heartbeat

6.Weakness in the legs

7. Exhaustion

8. Trembling legs

9. Dry mouth

4. 10. Shortness of breath

11. Sweating

13. Desire to change

character

activities

14. Feeling

discomfort

15. Feeling fresh

16. Certainty in

actions

17. Interest

18. Energy

Symptoms of the “unwillingness to work” group reflect feelings of internal

discomfort and a complex of negative emotions in relation to the task being performed

activities. Although the general principle of combining selected symptoms into one group

It is quite difficult to formulate, however, the statistical manifestations of them

relationships are highly consistent across repeated measurements. For a group

signs of “motivation”, describing changes in the level of activation and focus on

activities are characterized by relatively low stability of results. Basically

the diagnostic value of this group of symptoms is beyond doubt. Her flaws

are rather a consequence of the not entirely successful selection of the initial list

wording.

In the reviewed study, the construction of a multifactorial technique

fatigue assessment was carried out on the basis of empirical data: during experiments

the most sensitive signs were selected, and their classification and formation

main groups were carried out using complex statistical procedures.

There is another way.

Test of differentiated self-assessment of fatigue, proposed by V. A. Doskin

et al., is based on preliminary identification of the main components

(abbreviated as SAN). In the original version of the test, each u1080 of them is represented by ten

polar characteristics, the degree of expression of which is determined by

seven-point scale. It is emphasized that the diagnosis of the condition is based

not only on the absolute estimates of each of the categories, which decrease with

fatigue, but also on indicators of their ratio. A rested person has all three

their divergence increases due to a greater decrease in indicators of well-being and activity

compared to subjective mood ratings. This information turns out to be

useful for finer differentiation of conditions (Fig. 7).

Thus, the main line of development of subjective assessment methods is associated with

creation of complex multivariate tests based on the use

modern mathematical apparatus and access to data accumulated in

traditional areas of use of scaling - subjective psychophysics and

psychometrics. However, methodological improvement of development procedures

subjective tests does not remove the fundamental one-sidedness obtained from them

using information-assessment of the condition from the point of view of the subject himself. Her

reliability must be supported by objective data collected in parallel.