This study investigated internal structure and criterion validity of a test that aims at assessing auditory processing of musical ability (Auditory Musical Reasoning Test, RAu). 162 people of both sexes were evaluated, 56.8% men, aged between 15 and 59 years of age (M=27.5; SD=9.01). Participants were divided among musicians (N=24), amateurs (N=62) and lay people (N=76) according to the extension of their knowledge in music. Full Information Item Factor Analysis verified the dimensionality of the instrument and also the properties of the items via Item Response Theory (IRT). Furthermore, we sought to identify the ability to discriminate between professional musicians, amateurs and lay people. Data showed evidence that the items measure a major dimension (alpha=.92) with high ability to differentiate groups of musicians, amateurs and lay people giving a criterion validity coefficient of r=.68. The results indicate positive evidence of reliability and validity for RAu test.
Auditory processing; Item Response Theory; Musicians; Intelligence assessment; Full information factor analysis
