Historical sketch of the development of psychometry and pedagogical measurements in China in the 20th century

Abstract

The article reveals the historical stages and describes a sketch of the development of
psychometry, diagnostics, and pedagogical measurements in China in the 20th century. Stages are
highlighted: 1910-30s - the utilization of the achievements of European psychometry and measurements
in education; 1940-1978s - reduction of the use of tests due to the war and political, ideological changes
and the Cultural Revolution; 1980-90s - revival and intensive flourishing of psychometry, pedagogical
measurements and psychodiagnostics.
Therefore, there is a undulating development of psychometry, psychodiagnostics and pedagogical
measurements in China: from a powerful rise in the early twentieth century to a decline due to war and
ideological grounds in the middle of the twentieth century, and then to a revival and great prosperity towards
the end of the twentieth century. The intrascientific development of psychometry and psychodiagnostics in
China also repeated the global trend: from intelligence tests to tests of personality characteristics, scales of
personality and private interests of a person.