Alternate Uses (ALTUS)

Abstract

The Alternate Uses Test (ALTUS), often cited as Guilford’s Alternate Uses, is a psychological instrument developed to assess specific dimensions of creative thought. It originated as a refinement of the earlier Unusual Uses test, first introduced by Wilson, Guilford, Christensen, and Lewis in 1954. The primary objective of the revision was to thoroughly explore the concept of flexibility of thinking, a key component of divergent production.

The test format requires participants to generate novel, non-standard applications for common objects (such as a newspaper), moving beyond the object’s typical function. To ensure standardized administration and equitable time distribution, the ALTUS is structured into two distinct timed sections, each containing three specific items. Furthermore, alternative versions, specifically Forms B and C, were developed and made available for researchers conducting comparative studies or requiring enhanced reliability estimates through multiple administrations.

Keywords

Alternate Uses, Creative Thinking, Flexibility of Thinking, Fluency, Originality, Elaboration, Creativity Assessment, Cognitive Processes, Adaptability (Personality), Guilford’s Alternate Uses

Authors

J. P. Guilford, Paul R. Christensen, Philip R. Merrifield, Robert C. Wilson

Purpose

The core purpose of the Alternate Uses Test is the quantitative measurement of creative thinking abilities. Specifically, it is designed to isolate and quantify the capacity for flexibility of thinking, which involves the ability to shift mental set and generate diverse categories of responses.

By requiring test-takers to move past conventional associations and propose unique applications for everyday items, the ALTUS provides insight into an individual’s divergent production skills. This assessment is crucial in research focused on educational psychology and cognitive science, where understanding the mechanisms underlying creative problem-solving is paramount.

Construct

The primary psychological constructs measured by the ALTUS are Creative Thinking and Flexibility. These constructs fall under the broader category of cognitive processes related to generating novel and useful ideas (creativity).

The test specifically evaluates different dimensions of divergent production, including fluency (the total number of responses), originality (the uniqueness of responses), and elaboration (the level of detail provided). The focus on flexibility ensures that the instrument captures the ability to move freely among different solution categories, rather than simply listing variations within a single category.

Validity

The validity of the Alternate Uses Test is well-established, particularly concerning its underlying theoretical framework. Construct validity, which confirms that the scale measures the intended theoretical construct (flexibility in creative thinking), is comprehensively detailed and documented within the official test manual.

Documentation regarding validity also addresses factorial validity, suggesting that the test components align empirically with the theoretical factor structure proposed by J. P. Guilford and his colleagues in their Structure of Intellect model. This detailed documentation provides strong empirical support for the scale’s application in assessing divergent thinking abilities across various populations.

Reliability

The reliability of the ALTUS has been assessed across different age groups and test lengths, demonstrating generally strong internal consistency and acceptable test-retest stability.

• Internal Consistency: Reliability estimates (likely using Cronbach’s alpha or similar measures) ranged from .85 to .91 for 6th graders and stabilized between .75 and .86 for both 9th graders and adult populations. These estimates were derived using scale versions of varying lengths (6, 9, and 12 items).
• Test-Retest Reliability: Stability over time was assessed using a sample of 489 students in 5th through 7th grades. Test-retest reliability coefficients for Form A ranged from .54 to .67, while Form B yielded slightly lower coefficients, ranging from .53 to .63. These figures indicate moderate stability, typical for measures of cognitive performance and creativity.

Factor Analysis

While the scale is theoretically grounded in the factor-analytic work of J. P. Guilford concerning the Structure of Intellect model, specific dedicated factor analysis results for the published version of the ALTUS were not explicitly indicated in the provided source materials. The documentation confirms that factorial validity is addressed within the test manual, linking the test components to specific factors of divergent production.

Instrument

Test Type: Inventory/Questionnaire (Performance-based divergent production test)

Format: Participants are required to list up to six alternative, uncommon uses for a specified object (e.g., a paper clip, a brick). The test is divided into two timed segments, each containing three items, ensuring efficient and equitable time management across the six tasks.

Language Available: English (Original language)

Population Group: Human; Male; Female

Age Group: Applicable to students (6th, 9th graders, 5th-7th graders referenced) through adult populations.

Population Details: Used across various educational and adult research settings to assess cognitive processes related to creativity.

Test Methodology: The scale utilizes methodologies centered on Test Validity, Construct Validity, Test Reliability, and Test-Retest Reliability, administered via a paper-based method.

Keywords

Adaptability (Personality), Cognitive Processes, Creativity, Creativity Assessment, Thinking, Fluency, Originality, Elaboration, Flexibility, Guilford’s Alternate Uses

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not provided in source content.

Correspondence Address: Not provided in source content.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The Alternate Uses Test (ALTUS) is a commercial instrument requiring payment for usage. The test is published by Mind Garden, Inc., which manages permissions and fees associated with its administration. The original reference for the test dates back to 1960, reflecting the period of its initial publication and widespread use.

Reference’s

• Guilford, J. P., Christensen, P. R., Merrifield, P. R., & Wilson, R. C. (1960). Guilford’s Alternate Uses Test. Mind Garden, Inc. The publisher’s website is available here: http://www.mindgarden.com

Items of the Alternate Uses (ALTUS)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The test consists of two parts, each containing three items. Each item presents a familiar object (e.g., a newspaper) along with its standard use. Participants must list up to six alternative, uncommon uses for the object within the allotted time.

The specific items themselves (e.g., the list of six objects used in Forms A, B, and C) are proprietary and are not provided in the public source content. The structure requires two timed sections, each featuring three items.