Week four - WAIS IV - Core subsets Flashcards
(23 cards)
How is confidence interval for psychological test scores calculated?
You use the Standard Error of Measurement to calculate a confidence interval.
SEM is the standard deviation of error of a test score from a given measurement.
If we wanted to calculate a 95% confidence interval then we would calculate that has test score +/- 2SEM (2 sds).
SEM is calculated by using the standard deviation of the test and the reliability coeffiicient of the test.
E.g. if someone got an IQ score of 100 using a WAIS-IV then the 95% confidence interval would be calculated as follows:
sd of WAIS-IV is 15
Reliability coefficient is .96.
SEM = sdxsqrt(1-reliability coef.)
SEM= 15xsqrt(1-.96)
SEM=3
so 95% confidence interval = 2SEM +/1 100 = 94 - 106.
This essentially means that the clients TRUE score is likely to fall within that range 95% of the time.
What are some factors that may influence test scores?
Testing situation, such as noise, environment that triggers or activates the client, time of day, lighting, temperature etc.
Tester characteristics, such as halo effect, rapport, cultural understanding, expectations.
Test-taker characteristics, such as anxiety, illness, lack of sleep, too much sleep, hunger or thirst levels etc.
Validity errors, such as normative reference group - who was the test designed on/for? Language and culture can also influence how valid test scores are.
What does Classical Test Theory say?
It says that people have a true score and whenever a test is used there will measurement error. Therefore test scores are the person’s true score and error.
What is the reverse coring rule for the WAIS?
Each test starts at an age-dependent point/item.
If a test-taker is not able to answer two consectutive items on a test from the age-dependent point, then the tester will proceed to adminisiter items in reverse from that point. Once a test-taker responds correctly to two consecutive items.
Do some tests on the WAIS have practice items?
Yes.
What does the block design subset in the WAIS-IV test?
visual perception and organisation
spatial visualisation
Are the block design tasks timed?
yes.
What do the similarities task in the WAIS-IV measure?
verbal reasoning and concept formation
auditory comprehension
memory
What does DIGIT SPAN measure in the WAIS-IV?
Specifically, what does digit span forward and digit span backward measure? If there is a difference in these scores, what does that tell us?
Digit span forwards measures short-term auditory memory, whereas digit span backwards measures a client’s ability to manipulate verbal stimuli that is being held in temporary storage.
Why is it important to look at the break down of the digit span task, i.e. look at dsf and dsb?
A strong DSF may be hiding a weak DSB, which may be flagging a deficit in client’s ability to manipulate verbal stimuli.
What does matrix reasoning measure in WAIS-IV?
Matrix reasoning is a meaure of fluid intelligence and pattern recognition.
What is fluid intelligence?
Fluid intelligence can be a good indicator of overall intelligence level.
What does the vocabulary test measure in the WAIS?
It measures long-term memory, knowledge, learning ability (I cannot see how), and verbal concept management, and expressive language.
What does the arithmetic section of the WAIS measure?
Mental manipulation.
Working memory.
Numerical reasoning.
Mental alertness.
Fluid reasoning - potentially.
Logical reasoning.
What does SYMBOL search measure in the WAIS?
It measures the speed of processing.
short term visual memory
visual discrimination
What does the Visual Puzzle measure?
It measures non-verbal processing
Working memory
What does the INFORMATION section of the WAIS measure?
This seems like it would be the most affected by culture? Maybe?
This section measures general knowledge
Long-term memory
Crystalline intelligence
Ability to recall information in long-term storage
What does CODING section measure in the WAIS?
Processing speed
short-term memory
visual scanning ability
What are the subscales of the WAIS?
Subscales are VPI, PRI, WMI, PSI.
What does the DASS meausre?
Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Does the DASS have good validity?
It has high internal consistency.
Has the DASS been translated into other languages?
Yes.