Confused Lines Method: The Best Way to Check Concentration

The “Confused Lines” methodology was developed in order to accurately assess the degree of stability of attention and concentration. For this, special forms are used with twenty-five confused twisting lines, which are numbered on both sides. Numbering goes from top to bottom. It is necessary, without touching a foreign object or finger, to trace the path of the lines and name the corresponding numbers of their end.

The essence of the technique

What is attention span? This is the ability to focus on one subject without spraying on others. And sustainability is a temporary indicator, it determines how long a person can remain concentrated. To check the concentration and stability of attention with the help of intertwined lines, Andre Rey guessed in 1958. In his test, there were sixteen broken lines with a rather complicated weave.

Mr. Ray noted the time during which the testee will trace the lines from beginning to end. He considered the number of mistakes made and based on this he drew conclusions.

The technique of confused lines has existed for more than fifty years, and during this time it has proven itself perfectly. It has been modified many times and is now used in many countries of the world. On the territory of our country, it is also used. The technique of confused lines for preschoolers can generally be called a find. After all, children perceive it as a game.

Domestic professional psychologists most often prefer the modified “Confused Lines” methodology, which was proposed by K. K. Platonov, doctor of psychological sciences. In his version, the number of lines increases to twenty-five, and broken lines turn into curves. Platonov also found an opportunity to determine the effect of fatigue on passing the test. But this “Confused Lines” technique is for younger students and seniors. For kids, it's complicated. The option proposed by M.N.Ilina is more suitable for them. Everything is much simpler here. For example, there are only ten lines, and the study time is five minutes.

Test for middle and high school

First of all, you need to create the right conditions. It implies high-quality lighting and complete silence. Until the end of the test, there should not be any irritating factors in the environment of the child.

For the test, you must have a blank with lines, a stopwatch, a pencil, a sheet of paper. The “Confused Lines” methodology for adolescents has two options for forms.

In the first embodiment, mixed lines are depicted on the sheet. They all start on the left and end on the right. It is necessary to trace all the lines, starting with the first in order. In the cell where the line ends, it is necessary to put its serial number, which is indicated at its beginning. In no case should you help yourself with your fingers or other third-party objects. You need to pass the test as quickly as possible and with a minimum number of errors.

The second option, the principle is the same, but still slightly different. All the same twenty-five lines, only now the numbering is on the right side. It is also necessary for the eyes to follow the progress of each line, but now the result is written on a separate leaf in two numbers, the first is the number of the cell where the line started, the second is the number of the cell with its “tail”.

How the results are processed

If a time limit has not been established, the indicator is calculated using the following formula:

P = t * 25 / n,

• where P is an indicator of productivity;
• t is the number of seconds spent on the test;
• n are the correct answers.

The obtained coefficients must be compared with the following values:

• 861 and above - a very low level of concentration;
• 455-860 - this indicator refers to the average;
• 454 and less - high concentration of attention.

If time was limited, then you just need to translate the correct answers into points. The table below.

Everything is clear with the conclusions. The lower the score, the worse the concentration.

Testing Young Children

In order to use the “Confused Lines” methodology with preschoolers and first-graders, you need to create the same conditions. Only the tests themselves have a simplified look. The task for the child will be the same. He needs to trace the lines with a look from beginning to end. In the same way, you cannot help yourself with your finger or pencil.

Of course, the baby needs to be monitored more closely, to track the speed, the correctness of actions, carefully listen to the comments that he makes. Few children of five to six years old will fulfill the task with great enthusiasm. It is unlikely that the baby will be interested in black lines.

In this situation, you can arrange everything in the form of a game. For example, we can say that the hero of the beloved cartoon urgently needs numbers from the ends of the tracks in order to defeat the villain.

Evaluation of the results

If the baby easily and correctly copes with the task in one or two minutes - this is excellent, then the stability of his attention at the highest level. If a little more time was spent and some inaccuracies were made that the child himself corrected, then the level of his concentration is above average. The average result is if the baby began to make mistakes near the end of the work, tried to help himself with his finger. If too many mistakes were made, then the result is below average.

It is also worth noting that the "Tangled Lines" technique was created not only to check the level of concentration of attention, but also to stimulate it.