WISC

Question 1

What type of test is the WISC?

Answer 1

It is an intelligence test with different types for different age groups:
- WAIS: adults (16+)
- WISC: children (6-16)
- WPSSI: preschoolers (2-6)

Question 2

How many subtests are there in the WISC

Answer 2

15 subtests - 10 are always administered (core) and 5 are supplementary tests that can be administered if one of the core tests is ‘spoiled’

Question 3

What are the 5 scores that the WISC gives you?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

What are the subtests for verbal comprehension index?

Answer 4

Similarities
Vocabulary
Comprehension

and supplementary tests:
Information
Word Reasoning

Question 5

What are the subtests for perceptual reasoning index?

Answer 5

Block design
Picture concepts
Matrix reasoning

supplementary:
Picture Completion

Question 6

What are the subtests for Working Memory Index

Answer 6

Digit span
Letter number sequencing

Supplementary test:
- Arithmetic

Question 7

What are the subtests for Processing Speed Index

Answer 7

Coding
Symbol Search

supplementary
Cancellation

Question 8

What does the WISC measure?

Answer 8

Its often used as part of an intellectual assessment of a person - examining the person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Question 9

Outline the ‘similarities’ subtest

Answer 9

About: How two words are similar?
Index: Verbal Comprehension Index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Gc (crystallized intelligence)

Question 10

Outline the ‘Vocabulary’ subtest

Answer 10

Naming pictures or providing definitions for words.
Index: Verbal comprehension Index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Gc (crystallized intelligence)

Question 11

Outline the Comprehension subtest

Answer 11

Answer questions based on understanding of general principles in social situations.
Verbal comprehension Index
Core
No
Broad: Gc (crystallized intelligence)

Question 12

Outline the ‘Information’ subtest

Answer 12

Answer questions that address a wide range of general knowledge topics.
Verbal comprehension index
Supplemental!
Not timed
Crystallized intelligence

Question 13

Outline the Word Reasoning subtest

Answer 13

Identify a common concept being described by clues.
Verbal comprehension index
Supplemental!
Not timed
Broad: Gc (crystallized)

Question 14

Outline the Block Design subtest

Answer 14

Replicate a set of modeled or printed 2D geometric patterns using red-and-white blocks.

Perceptual reasoning index
Core
Timed!
Broad: Visual processing

Question 15

Outline the Picture Concepts subtest

Answer 15

Choose one picture in every row to form a group with a common characteristic.

Perceptual reasoning index
Core
Not timed

Broad: Gf (Fluid Intelligence)

Question 16

Outline the Matrix Reasoning subtest

Answer 16

Complete the missing portion of a picture matrix.
Perceptual reasoning index
Core
Not timed

Broad: Gf (fluid intelligence) and Gv (visual processing)

Question 17

Outline the Picture Completion subtest

Answer 17

Name the essential missing part of the picture

Perceptual reasoning index

Supplemental!
Timed!
Broad: Crystallized intelligence (Gc) and Visual processing (Gv)

Question 18

Outline the Digit Span substest

Answer 18

Repeat numbers in the same or reverse order as stated by the examiner.
Working memory index
Core
Not timed
Broad: Short term memory

Question 19

Letter-number sequencing

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Arithmetic subtest

Answer 20

Mentally solve orally presented arithmetic problems
Working memory index
Supplemental
Timed
Broad: Fluid intelligence

Question 21

Coding subtest

Answer 21

Examinees copy symbols that are paired with shapes or numbers, using a key
Processing Speed Index
Core
Timed!
Processing speed

Question 22

Outline the Symbol search subtest

Answer 22

Scan a search group and indicate the presence or absence of target symbols
Processing Speed Index
Core
Timed!
Broad: Processing speed, visual processing

Question 23

Outline the Cancellation subtest!

Answer 23

Scan a random and a nonrandom arrangement of pictures and mark target pictures.

Processing Speed Index
Supplemental
Time
Processing Speed

Question 24

What is the influence of genes on intelligence?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

What is the influence of environment on intelligence?

Answer 25

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)

Question 26

Are there any ways to successfully combat negative environmental influences on intelligence?

Answer 26

• 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

Question 27

Are there gender differences in intelligence scores?

Answer 27

• Men are better at mental rotation
• Women are better at verbal abilities (learning and memory)
• likely due to social / gender priming

Question 28

Are there racial differences in scores

Answer 28

• 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