Independent examination of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale—Fourth edition (WAIS-IV): What does the WAIS-IV measure?
Abstract
Published empirical evidence for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) does not address some essential questions pertaining to the applied practice of intellectual assessment. In this study, the structure and cross-age invariance of the latest WAIS-IV revision were examined to (a) elucidate the nature of the constructs measured and (b) determine whether the same constructs are measured across ages. Results suggest that a Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC)-inspired structure provides a better description of test performance than the published scoring structure does. Broad CHC abilities measured by the WAIS-IV include crystallized ability (Gc), fluid reasoning (Gf), visual processing (Gv), short-term memory (Gsm), and processing speed (Gs), although some of these abilities are measured more comprehensively than are others. Additionally, the WAIS-IV provides a measure of quantitative reasoning (QR). Results also suggest a lack of cross-age invariance resulting from age-related differences in factor loadings. Formulas for calculating CHC indexes and suggestions for interpretation are provided.
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Different indices of the WAIS reflect different narrow dimensions of ability.
“However, it is well known that different indices of the WAIS actually reflect different narrow dimensions of ability (for factor analyses, see Benson et al., 2010;Flanagan, 2000;Flanagan et al., 2013;Golay & Lecerf, 2011;Keith et al., 2006;Lecerf et al., 2012;Ward et al., 2012).”
From No negative Flynn effect in France: Why variations of intelligence should not be assessed using tests based on cultural knowledge (2021) · cites this paper as Benson et al., 2010
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- Authors
- Benson, N., Hulac, D. M., & Kranzler, J. H.
- Affiliations
- University of South Dakota (US)
- University of Florida (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Assessment
- Published
- 2010-03
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 121-130
- ISSN
- 1040-3590 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-134X
- OpenAlex
- W2123088751
- Cited by
- 309
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 22.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Assessment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, Cattell-Horn-Carroll theory, factor structure, fluid reasoning, visual processing, short-term memory, processing speed, quantitative reasoning
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Analysis of Variance, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Processes, Middle Aged, Psychometrics, Reference Values, Wechsler Scales, Reproducibility of Results, Models, Statistical, Young Adult
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