Intelligence tests are used in a variety of settings such as schools, clinics, and courts to assess the intellectual capacity of individuals of all ages. Intelligence tests are used to make high-stakes decisions such as special education placement, employment, eligibility for social security services, and determination of the death penalty.…

Methods of identifying poor test-related motivation using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Digit Span subtest are based on identification of performance patterns that are implausible if the test taker is investing full effort. No studies to date, however, have examined the specificity of such measures, particularly when evaluating persons…

Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard WAIS administration; a praise condition with praise for each correct WAIS response; and a self-monitoring condition with direct feedback on response accuracy. Results indicated that specific feedback is effective in inducing IQ test performance change in normal adults. (NG)

Seven different short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Revised (WAIS-R) were compared in a mixed clinical sample of 306 adults to evaluate short form predictions of the full scale IQ. The seven-test short form of C. Ward (1990) was the best predictor across ranges of intellectual functioning, supporting its use when time is limited.…

The classification of intelligence has been a prime interest to many for over three-quarters of a century. The Wechsler scales of intelligence and the development of factor analysis have both played major roles in the shaping of psychometric thought. An examination of this joint history by means of a review of the factor analytic studies of the…

Performance on the Digit Span (DSP) and Digit Symbol (DSY) subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) have been said to be vulnerable to the effects of anxiety, seating arrangements, and sex of subject. To determine the effects of these variables on anxiety and test performance on the WAIS-R DSP and DSY subtests, 40 male and 40…

A brief discussion of theories of general intelligence precedes a report of relevant empirical data. Results from the factor analysis of more than 20 sets of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) data indicate that the WAIS clearly is not a one-factor scale. It does not measure a single, general intelligence. Roughly 17 percent of the reliable…

Score differentials between the revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) were investigated in 25 possibly mentally handicapped adolescents (10 white, 15 black). Each S was individually administered both the WISC-R and the WAIS. Results supported the hypothesis that for mentally…

Investigated the utility of the Revised Beta as a screening device for low-functioning minority-group criminal offenders. Mean scores for this sample were correlated only mildly. This finding contradicts prior research and creates the need for caution in using the Beta as a screening device with this population. (Author)

This paper focuses on challenges to psychologists and psychology graduate students who are blind or visually impaired in the administration and scoring of various psychological tests. Organized by specific tests, the paper highlights those aspects of testing which pose particular difficulty to testers with visual impairments and also describes…

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised protocols from two vocational counseling clients were scored by 19 psychologists and 20 graduate students. Regardless of scorer's experience level, mechanical scoring error produced summary scores varying by as much as 4 to 18 IQ points. (Author/RC)

Studies examining the performance of American Indian children on the Wechsler instruments are reviewed to provide the basis for an examination of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised research. Factors that potentially influence Indian performance on the Wechsler are presented. Suggestions for interpretation of the Wechsler Intelligence…

Seven hierarchical clustering methods were applied to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) scores of 121 medical rehabilitation clients to investigate the possibility of method-dependent results and determine the stability of the clusters. This multiple-methods cluster analysis suggests that the underlying constructs of the…