The Binet-Simon scales helped solve a practical
social quandary, namely, how to identify
children who needed special schooling. With this
successful application of a mental test, psychologists
realized that their inventions could have pragmatic
significance for many different segments of
society. Almost immediately, psychologists in the
United States adopted a utilitarian focus. Intelligence
testing was embraced by many as a reliable
and objective response to perceived social problems
such as the identification of immigrants with
mental retardation and the quick, accurate classification
of Army recruits (Boake, 2002).
Whether these early tests really solved social
dilemmas—or merely exacerbated them—is a
fiercely debated issue reviewed in the following
sections. One thing is certain: The profusion of
tests developed early in the twentieth century
helped shape the character of contemporary tests.
A review of these historical trends will aid in the
comprehension of the nature of modern tests and a
better appreciation of the social issues raised by
them.