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Mental ability profiles in kindergarten children of different ethnic groups Van Blankenstein, Barbara Jean

Abstract

Data from 7 subtests of the MPI were analyzed for 120 kindergarten children in a low socio-economic area of Greater Vancouver. The subtests were selected as being representative of components of a mental ability profile (MAP) and included categories of IQ, spatial conceptualization, abstract reasoning, verbal comprehension and generic and word production. Classification of the data into 2 levels of age (5 yrs. 3 mos. - 5 yrs. 10 mos.; 5 yrs. 11 mos. - 6 yrs. 6 mos.), 2 levels of score on the MPI (4 - 7; 8 -11), and 3 levels of ethnic group (Chinese, Italian and Canadian) gave 2 contrasting MAPS. The Chinese MAP was distinctively different from the Italian and Canadian MAPS which closely resembled each other. Significant differences appeared (p<.01) for all categories between ethnic groups with the exception of verbal comprehension. Age was not a significant factor in any category. Scoring levels were significantly different (p<.01) but each ethnic group retained its MAP at both low and high levels of scoring.

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