WISC Flashcards
What type of test is the WISC?
It is an intelligence test with different types for different age groups:
- WAIS: adults (16+)
- WISC: children (6-16)
- WPSSI: preschoolers (2-6)
How many subtests are there in the WISC
15 subtests - 10 are always administered (core) and 5 are supplementary tests that can be administered if one of the core tests is ‘spoiled’
What are the 5 scores that the WISC gives you?
- Full scale IQ (FSIQ)
- Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) = a measure of verbal reasoning, comprehension and expression
- Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) = a measure of fluid reasoning
- Working memory index (WMI) = measure of the ability to hold information in mind temporarily, to perform some operation on to produce a correct result
- Processing Speed Index (PSI) = a measure of response speed
These all have a mean of 100 and a SD of 15
What are the subtests for verbal comprehension index?
Similarities
Vocabulary
Comprehension
and supplementary tests:
Information
Word Reasoning
What are the subtests for perceptual reasoning index?
Block design
Picture concepts
Matrix reasoning
supplementary:
Picture Completion
What are the subtests for Working Memory Index
Digit span
Letter number sequencing
Supplementary test:
- Arithmetic
What are the subtests for Processing Speed Index
Coding
Symbol Search
supplementary
Cancellation
What does the WISC measure?
Its often used as part of an intellectual assessment of a person - examining the person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
Outline the ‘similarities’ subtest
About: How two words are similar?
Index: Verbal Comprehension Index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Gc (crystallized intelligence)
Outline the ‘Vocabulary’ subtest
Naming pictures or providing definitions for words.
Index: Verbal comprehension Index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Gc (crystallized intelligence)
Outline the Comprehension subtest
Answer questions based on understanding of general principles in social situations.
Verbal comprehension Index
Core
No
Broad: Gc (crystallized intelligence)
Outline the ‘Information’ subtest
Answer questions that address a wide range of general knowledge topics.
Verbal comprehension index
Supplemental!
Not timed
Crystallized intelligence
Outline the Word Reasoning subtest
Identify a common concept being described by clues.
Verbal comprehension index
Supplemental!
Not timed
Broad: Gc (crystallized)
Outline the Block Design subtest
Replicate a set of modeled or printed 2D geometric patterns using red-and-white blocks.
Perceptual reasoning index
Core
Timed!
Broad: Visual processing
Outline the Picture Concepts subtest
Choose one picture in every row to form a group with a common characteristic.
Perceptual reasoning index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Gf (Fluid Intelligence)
Outline the Matrix Reasoning subtest
Complete the missing portion of a picture matrix.
Perceptual reasoning index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Gf (fluid intelligence) and Gv (visual processing)
Outline the Picture Completion subtest
Name the essential missing part of the picture
Perceptual reasoning index
Supplemental!
Timed!
Broad: Crystallized intelligence (Gc) and Visual processing (Gv)
Outline the Digit Span substest
Repeat numbers in the same or reverse order as stated by the examiner.
Working memory index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Short term memory
Letter-number sequencing
Read a number and letter sequence and recall numbers in ascending order and letters in alphabetical order
Working memory index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Short term memory
Arithmetic subtest
Mentally solve orally presented arithmetic problems
Working memory index
Supplemental
Timed
Broad: Fluid intelligence
Coding subtest
Examinees copy symbols that are paired with shapes or numbers, using a key
Processing Speed Index
Core
Timed!
Processing speed
Outline the Symbol search subtest
Scan a search group and indicate the presence or absence of target symbols
Processing Speed Index
Core
Timed!
Broad: Processing speed, visual processing
Outline the Cancellation subtest!
Scan a random and a nonrandom arrangement of pictures and mark target pictures.
Processing Speed Index
Supplemental
Time
Processing Speed
What is the influence of genes on intelligence?
They interact!
- Heritability: As socioeconomic status increases, the contribution of shared environment diminishes and the contribution of genes increases.
- Children in poverty do not get to develop their full genetic potential due to the adverse environmental factors.
What is the influence of environment on intelligence?
Things that decrease intelligence:
- lack of micronutrients
- presence of environmental toxins
- social class –> low SES means variance is more explained by environment
Things that increase intelligence:
- breast feeding (may increase intelligence)
- birth order
- schooling
- neighborhood
- peers/family members (socialization)
Are there any ways to successfully combat negative environmental influences on intelligence?
- provide a positive schooling experience (particularly the pre-k program, as this has showed long term benefits)
- mental and physical exercise
- medication
- increased IQ association with industrialization and modernization
Are there gender differences in intelligence scores?
- Men are better at mental rotation
- Women are better at verbal abilities (learning and memory)
- likely due to social / gender priming
Are there racial differences in scores
- between African American and Caucasian populations, the difference in IQ increased with age (environmental –> not genetic difference)
- no difference between Asian and white populations on intelligence measures - but a difference in the performance on exams
