Abstract
Two analyses of the WISC-R protocols of 100 children referred for behavioral problems in school were conducted to study (a) the utility of a variety of WISC short forms and (b) the factor structure of the WISC-R. Although the correlations between short form and WISC-R IQs were highly significant, mean differences and a high percentage of IQ classification changes indicated that the short forms were not acceptable WISC-R substitutes. Different factor analyses consistently evidenced two factors, Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Organization, which corresponded perfectly to the Verbal and Performance sub test dichotomy. Unlike previous factor analyses, behavior-problem children's protocols did not produce a Freedom from Distractibility factor and possible reasons for this are'discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ammons, R. B., & Ammons, C. H. The Quick Test (QT): Provisional manual.Psychological Reports, 1962,11, 111–161.
Carleton, F. O., & Stacey, C. L. Evaluation of selected short forms of the WISC.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1954,10, 258–261.
Cohen, J. The factorial structure of the WISC at ages 7–6, 10–6, and 13–6.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1959,23, 285–299.
Cole, S. N., Williams, R. L., Nix, A. P., & Litaker, R. G. Validity of an abbreviated WISC scale for retarded and borderline children.Psychological Reports, 1967,21, 571–572.
Dunn, L.Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Manual. Pine Circle, Minnesota: American Guidance Service, 1959.
Finch, A. J., Jr., & Childress, W. B. A comparison of WISC selected subtest short forms with MR children.Mental Retardation, 1975,13, 20–21.
Finch, A. J., Jr., Childress, W. B., Wilkins, K. A., & Kendall, P. C. WISC short forms with emotionally disturbed children.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1974,2, 337–341.
Finch, A. J., Jr., Ollendick, T. H., & Ginn, F. W. WISC short forms with mentally retarded children.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1973,78, 144–149.
Finley, C. J., & Thompson, J. An abbreviated Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children for use with educable mentally retarded.American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1958,63, 473–480.
Hagen, J. V., & Kaufman, A. S. Factor analysis of the WISC-R for a group of mentally retarded children and adolescents.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975,43, 661–667.
Kaufman, A. S. Factor analysis of the WISC-R at 11 age levels between 6 1/2 and 16 1/2 years.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975,43, 135–147.
Kendall, P. C., & Little, V. L. Correspondence of brief intelligence measures to the Wechsler scales with delinquents.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1977,45, 659–665.
Mumpower, D. L. The fallacy of the short-form.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1964,20, 111–112.
Ollendick, T. H., Finch, A. J., Jr., & Ginn, F. W. Comparison of Peabody, Leiter, WISC and academic achievement scores among emotionally disturbed children.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1974,2, 47–51.
Osborne, R. T., & Allen, J. Validity of short forms of the WISC for mental retardates.Psychological Reports, 1962,11, 167–170.
Resnick, R. J., & Entin, A. D. Is an abbreviated form of the WISC valid for Afro-American children?Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1971,36, 97–99.
Sattler, J. M.Assessment of children's intelligence. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1974.
Schwartz, L., & Levitt, E. E. Short-forms of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children in the educable, non-institutionalized, mentally retarded.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1960,51, 187–190.
Silverstein, A. B. Factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children for three ethnic groups.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1973,65, 408–410.
Smith, E. H.A normative study of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children with highgrade retarded boys. Unpublished manuscript, 1956.
Wechsler, D.Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised: Manual. New York: Psychological Corporation.
Yudin, L. W. An abbreviated form of the WISC for use with emotionally disturbed children.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1966,30, 272–275.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Portions of the present manuscript were completed while the second author was at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, California.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Finch, A.J., Kendall, P.C., Spirito, A. et al. Short form and factor-analytic studies of the WISC-R with behavior problem children. J Abnorm Child Psychol 7, 337–344 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916543
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916543