A comparative study applying Koppitz' Developmental Bender Scoring System and Bender's Standardization of the Gestalt Functions with preschool children

Loretta Bender (1938) developed the Visual Motor Gestalt Test based on the work of Max Wertheimer (1923), Observations on the Laws of Percepmal Form. Bender established standardization for the Bender Gestalt Test with children from ages 3 to 11.;This was accomplished by testing the following hypotheses: (I) The Developmental Bender Scoring System shows a statistically significant inverse correlation with Bender's Standardization of Gestalt Functions Summed Scores. (II) Both the Developmental Bender Scoring System and Bender's Standardization of Gestalt Functions Summed Scores demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between the following variables measuring maturation: chronological age, gender, and establishment of handedness. (III) The Bender Gestalt Test when scored by both the Developmental Bender Scoring System and Bender's Standardization of Gestalt Functions Summed Scores, demonstrates statistical correlation between good performance and school attendance of children whose parents are living together and poor performance and school attendance of children who have a parent absent from the home.;The results of this study support the hypothesis that there is an inverse correlation of R. = −.5270 (p < .00001) between the Developmental Bender Scoring System and Bender's Standardization of Gestalt Functions. This validates the Developmental Bender Scoring System in scoring the Bender Gestalt Test Figures of preschool children.;Furthermore, when applying the Multiple Regression Correlation Coefficient, it is demonstrated that Bender's Standardization of Gestalt Functions Summed Scores and the Developmental Bender Scoring System correlates with the pre-schooler's age (p < .01). Neither scoring methods are affected by the child's sex or the establishment of handedness.;Elizabeth Koppitz (1964) elaborated on Bender's research by introducing the Developmental Bender Scoring System. This scoring method is extensively used in scoring the tests of school age children. Its application to the tests of pre-school children remains questionable. The objective of this research was to validate data concerning the use of the Developmental Bender Scoring System with the test results of pre-school children.;Finally, in applying the Causal-Effect Correlation Coefficient to test the third hypothesis, the results suggest that the father's absence from home does not affect a child's performance on the Bender Gestalt Test nor does it affect school attendance.