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Encyclopedia > Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale or WAIS is a general test of intelligence (IQ), published in February 1955 as a revision of the Wechsler-Bellevue test (1939), standardised for use with adults over the age of 16. IQ tests are designed to give approximately normally distributed results, which causes a bell curve graph of IQ score frequency. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... David Wechsler (January 12, 1896, Lespedi, Romania - May 2, 1981, New York, New York) was a leading American psychologist. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...


Intelligence is quantified as the global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with the environment.

Contents


Overview

The full scale IQ is broken down into 14 subtests, comprising the verbal (7 subtests) and performance scales (7 subtests).


Wechsler's tests provide three scores:

  1. a verbal IQ
  2. a performance IQ
  3. a composite, single full-scale IQ score based on the combined scores.

WAIS-R was standardised in 1981 on a sample of 1,880 US subjects, ranging from 16 to 74 years of age, broken down into 9 different age groups 16-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-34, ..., 70-74 yrs. It is considered to have very strong reliability. The current version is WAIS-III (1997). IQ redirects here; for other uses of that term, see IQ (disambiguation). ... ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The average full-scale IQ is 100, with a standard deviation of 15 (above and below the mean). This is the average IQ range where most adults would fall.


Test variants

The WAIS-III measure is appropriate throughout adulthood and for use with those individuals over 74 years of age. For persons under 16, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC, 7-16 yrs) and the Wechsler Pre-school and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI, 3-7 yrs) are used. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...


An IQ score can be obtained without administering the verbal section of the test since each section yields its own score.


Neuropsychologists use the technique on people suffering brain damage as it leads to links with which part of the brain has been affected, or use specific subtests in order to get an idea of the extent of the brain damage. For example, digit span may used to get a sense of short term memory difficulties. However, this is usually done with a separate version of the WAIS, known as the WAIS-R NI (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised as a Neuropsychological Instrument). Each subtest score is tallied and calculated with respect to non-normal or brain-damaged norms. As the WAIS is developed for the average, non-injured individual, separate norms were developed for appropriate comparison among similar functioning individuals. Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder (DSM-IV 315. ...


14 subtests of the WAIS-III

Verbal

Information 
Degree of general information acquired from culture (e.g. Who is the premier of Victoria?)
Comprehension
Ability to deal with abstract social conventions, rules and expressions (e.g. What does - kill 2 birds with 1 stone metaphorically mean?)
Arithmetic
Concentration while manipulating mental mathematical problems (e.g. How many 45c. stamps can you buy for a dollar?)
Similarities
Abstract verbal reasoning (e.g. In what way are an apple and a pear alike?)
Vocabulary
The degree to which one has learned, been able to comprehend and verbally express vocabulary (e.g. What is a guitar?)
Digit span
Short term memory/concentration (e.g. Digits forward: 123, Digits backward 321.)
Letter-Number Sequencing
Working memory/short term memory

Performance

Picture Completion
Ability quickly perceive visual details
Digit Symbol - Coding
Visual-motor coordination, motor and mental speed
Block Design
Spatial perception, visual abstract processing & problem solving
Matrix Reasoning
Nonverbal abstract problem solving, inductive reasoning, spatial reasoning
Picture Arrangement
Logical/sequential reasoning, social insight
Symbol Search
Visual perception, speed
Object Assembly
Visual analysis, synthesis, and construction

Optional post-tests include Digit Symbol - Incidental Learning and Digit Symbol - Free Recall.


WAIS-III Subtests Grouped According to Indexes

Verbal comprehension

  • Vocabulary
  • Information
  • Similarities

Perceptual organization

  • Picture Completion
  • Block Design
  • Matrix Reasoning

Working memory

  • Arithmetic
  • Digit Span
  • Letter-Number Sequencing

Processing speed

  • Digit Symbol-Coding
  • Symbol Search

Note: Picture Arrangement, Comprehension, and Object Assembly do not contribute to the Index Scores


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - definition of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale in Encyclopedia (280 words)
WAIS is a general test of intelligence (IQ), published in February 1955 as a revision of the Wechsler-Bellevue test (1939), standardised for use with adults over the age of 16.
Intelligence is quantified as the global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with his environment.
For persons under 16, Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC, 7-16 yrs) and Wechsler pre-school and primary scale of intelligence (WPPSI, 3-7 yrs) are used.
Wechsler Intelligence Test | AHealthyMe.com (759 words)
The Wechsler Intelligence Scales are a series of standardized tests used to evaluate cognitive abilities and intellectual abilities in children and adults.
The Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (regular, revised, and third edition) and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence are used as tools in school placement, in determining the presence of a learning disability or a developmental delay, in identifying giftedness, and in tracking intellectual development.
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales (regular and revised) are used to determine vocational ability, to assess adult intellectual ability in the classroom, and to determine organic deficits.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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