Child Assessment Midterm Fall 2020 Flashcards
What is fluid versus crystallized intelligence?
Fluid intelligence is the capacity to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge. Fluid intelligence involves the ability to identify patterns and relationships that underpin novel problems and to extrapolate these findings using logic. Crystallized intelligence involves knowledge that comes from prior learning and past experiences. 2 Situations that require crystallized intelligence include reading comprehension and vocabulary exams. Crystallized intelligence is based upon facts and rooted in experiences.
Name three other tests besides the WISC that can be used to assess intelligence/general cognitive ability in children.
- Weschler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence
- Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale
- Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC)
Describe one definition of intelligence (your own or an “expert’s”) and briefly discuss the strengths and limitations of the definition.
Sattler: “ability to adjust or adapt to the environment, the ability to learn, or the ability to perform abstract thinking.”
Strengths:
• Describes how intelligence reflects an ability to adjust to one’s environment, as intelligence is context-dependent.
• Includes description about the importance of abstract thinking, as this takes cognitive effort and ability
Weakness:
• Does not describe the multidimensionality of intelligence
How has the definition of intelligence changed over time?
- 1800s: intelligence was measured using sensory and motor ability with discrimination taks and to some extent language (for research, not clinical purposes).
- Late 1800s and Galton: 1st to create a comprehensive individually administered test of individual differences that tested anthropometrics (breath capacity, grip strength), and introduced the concept of general intelligence or the g factor.
- Binet (1900s): 1st to define intelligence in terms of higher mental processes (like memory and comprehension). He created the Binet-Simon test, which is a measure to distinguish people with intellectual disability from people without ID for placement in remedial learning settings due to mandatory laws in Paris. However, the score was a mental age (calculated by comparing it to the actual age).
- Wechsler (mid 1900s): the Wechsler-Bellevue scale was the first measure to introduce both global score and factor scores (Verbal and Performance). It also popularized the IQ model of deviation/distance from the mean.
- Currently: most experts agree that it involves some aspects of higher thinking, and a cluster of abilities. Also, most people agree that intelligence has multiple dimensions, with some abilities going together to compromise general intelligence.
Present two arguments that the WISC-V is culturally biased.
• Bilingualism
• Stereotype threat
o E.g., African American students do worse on GRE if told they are going to take a test of their ability. Not true for White students
Present two arguments that the WISC-IV is not culturally biased.
1) Racial/ethnic differences largely accounted for by SES
E.g., Black vs White shrinks to about 5 points.
2) Ethnic/racial differences in IQ tests highlight discrimination in our society and the need to provide more resources to individuals who experience discrimination.
- To try to create a test on which non-white and whites score equally may make people think there’s no discrimination.
Name three factors of intelligence included in non-western definitions of intelligence.
- (Taiwanese-Chinese Conception) Interpersonal/intrapersonal intelligence, intellectual enjoyment, intellectual self-assertion, general cognitive ability
- (Luo people in rural Kenya) Paro: thought processes involved in problem-solving and caring for other people;
- Luoro (respect and care for others, obedience, diligence, consideration
Describe 2 ethical issues you need to consider in conducting an assessment with a child.
1) Confidentiality issues might come up when parents have the right to know everything about treatment/therapy, but may not be consistent with what the child is requesting from the clinician.
2) Ensuring no harm comes to the child from sharing information that was requested from parents, but also as a mandated reporter, clinicians need to be prepared to protect children if they were to share something that is indicative of abuse towards them or another vulnerable person.
Describe three situations in which confidentiality can be broken in Massachusetts.
1) If the child is a danger to self (clear and present danger to self, but also they refuse to voluntarily accept appropriate treatment) or others (they’ve made an explicit threat to hurt a person with clear intention and ability to carry threat out; history of violence or implicit threat in that the child has a history of violence and the clinician has a reasonable belief that there may be danger or chance that the child might seriously hurt an identified person)
2) If the child discloses or says something to suggest there may be ongoing abuse
3) If the child brings up their mental condition in a court proceeding
Describe three factors other than cognitive ability that may influence a child’s performance on an IQ test.
1) SES
2) Culture
3) Parents’ educational achievement
Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of using structured diagnostic interviews and what are some ways of minimizing their disadvantages?
Advantages:
- Asks about numerous disorders.
- Direct information about diagnostic criteria, including duration and severity.
Disadvantages:
- Length of time to administer.
- Lack of follow-up questions, especially for concerning behaviors like suicidal ideation.
Ways of minimizing the disadvantages:
- Use clinical judgement to evaluate whether certain questions are appropriate and whether follow-up questions may be necessary.
- Use appropriate translators for bilingual clients or clients whose native language is not English.
What are some ways that IQ tests have been abused/misused historically?
- IQ tests have been used to wrongly “justify” racial differences in intellectual abilities
- Used to support eugenics
Which Index and subtests of the WISC-V are thought to be most culturally biased?
The verbal comprehension index (VCI; similarities and vocabulary) is considered to be one of the most culturally biased portions of the WISC-IV. It tests verbal comprehension, which is highly dependent on one’s cultural background (i.e., whether English is your native language).
What are two factors that may contribute to the correlation between achievement test scores and IQ test scores?
Academic performance and learning motivation (Kaufman et al., 2012).
Name four individually administered achievement tests that can be used with children.
A. Woodcock Johnson Fourth Edition
B. Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Third Edition
C. Wide Range Achievement Test Fifth Edition
D. Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement Third Edition
