Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

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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), a battery of tests that is composed from subtests Wechsler "adopted" from the Army Tests (Yerkes, 1921).

The concept of intelligence is highly controversial. In the past, Weschler defined intelligence as the global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally, and to deal effectively with the environment. Today, with the advent of modern neuroscience, we realize that intelligence is multifaceted. Moreover, since most of the intelligence tests have been validated using previous measures of this construct, and since most of the tests share the same tests, it is unclear what these tests actually measure.

Overview

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

Wechsler's tests provide three scores:

1. a verbal IQ (VIQ)
2. a performance IQ (PIQ)
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. It is considered to have very strong reliability. The current version is WAIS-III (1997).

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 Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI]], 2 1/2-7 yrs) are used.

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

• The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI)

Is a short, four-subtest, version of the battery which has recently been released. It allows clinicians to form a validated estimate of verbal, performance and full scale IQ in a shorter amount of time. using the vocabulary, similarities, block design and matrix reasoning subtests of the WAIS to provide an estimate of the full IQ scores.

• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised as a Neuropsychological Instrument WAIS-R NI

is for the assessment of brain injury,

14 subtests of the WAIS-III

Verbal Subtests

Information

Degree of general information acquired from culture (e.g. Who is the premier of Victoria?)

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Information

Comprehension

Ability to deal with abstract social conventions, rules and expressions (e.g. What does - Kill 2 birds with 1 stone metaphorically mean?)

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Comprehension

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?)

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Arithmetic

Vocabulary

The degree to which one has learned, been able to comprehend and verbally express vocabulary (e.g. What is a guitar?)

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests:Vocabulary

Digit span

attention/concentration (e.g. Digits forward: 123, Digits backward 321.)

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Digit span

Letter-number sequencing

attention and working memory (e.g. Given Q1B3J2, place the numbers in numerical order and then the letters in alphabetical order)

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Letter-number sequencing

Performance Subtests

Picture completion

Ability to quickly perceive visual details

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Picture completion

Digit symbol - Coding

Visual-motor coordination, motor and mental speed

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Digit symbol

Block design

Spatial perception, visual abstract processing & problem solving

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Block design

Matrix easoning

Nonverbal abstract problem solving, inductive reasoning, spatial reasoning

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Matrix reasoning

Picture arrangement

Logical/sequential reasoning, social insight

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Picture arrangement

Symbol search

Visual perception, speed

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Symbol search

Object assembly

Visual analysis, synthesis, and construction

Main article: Interpreting WAIS-111 subtests: Object assembly

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

WAIS-III Subtests Grouped According to Indices

In addition to the Verbal and Performance IQ scores, the following four indices are derived.

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'

See also

• David Wechsler
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)
• Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)
• IQ

External links

• Overview
• Official page
• More descriptions about individual tests
• PMID 12801187 - "Scoring reliability on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition"
• PMID 10877468 - "Prorating Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III summary scores"

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