WAIS-IV intelligence test (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)

We explain how it is the most complete and widely used intelligence test for generating IQ.

The different versions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale have dominated the field of cognitive assessment in people over 16 years of age since the 1950s and have contributed decisively to the conception of intelligence in the field of psychology and in society in general.

In this article we will analyze the main scales and tests of the WAIS intelligence test.. We will focus in particular on the latest version, the WAIS-IV scale, although we will begin by reviewing the history of this method of assessing cognitive abilities.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)

David Wechsler (1896-1981) was an American psychologist who trained with Karl Pearson and Charles Spearman, pioneers of psychometrics. In 1955 he published the first version of the test that we know as the "Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale", commonly called "WAIS" for its original acronym. for its acronym in the original English.

Previously, in 1939, this author had contributed to the creation of the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale, which can be considered a direct precursor of what would become Wechsler's definitive work. Both tests conceived of intelligence as a set of interrelated items that could be measured independently of each other. that could be measured independently.

In 1981 a revised version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R) appeared. Subsequently, in 1997, the WAIS-III was launched; this new test contained updated scales applicable to many types of population and distinguished between verbal and manipulative IQ, in addition to the total IQ, which was obtained by combining the two previous ones.

The most recent version of the Wechsler test is the WAIS-IVwhich was published in 2008. It replaces the verbal and manipulative quotients with four more specific indices (verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed) and adds a General Ability Index that is used in the clinical setting.

Since the first WAIS, these tests have focused on assessing people over 16 years of age. There are also the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI). Currently the WISC is in its fifth version and the WPPSI in its fourth, and work is underway on the fifth WAIS.

Main scales and tests of the WAIS-IV test.

The Wechsler intelligence tests measure different abilities using specific tests. Some of the most characteristic are Symbol Search, which consists of identifying visual elements as quickly as possible, Matrices, similar to intelligence tests such as Raven's, or Information, which evaluates general knowledge.

Each of these tests is weighted on a broader index. In the WAIS-III the Verbal Comprehension and Working Memory indices were part of Verbal IQ, while Perceptual Organization and Processing Speed were part of Manipulative IQ; however, in the WAIS-IV, however, we only found these indices together with Total IQ, which combines them.which combines them.

1. Verbal Comprehension

The Verbal Comprehension index reflects the aptitude of a given individual to understand and use verbal language, in addition to the reasoning abilities associated with this type of material. It is also a good indicator of the quantity and quality of the knowledge acquired, as well as the retrieval of memories.It is also a good indicator of the quantity and quality of knowledge acquired, as well as of long-term memory retrieval.

The main tests of the Verbal Comprehension index are the Similarities, Vocabulary and Information tests. On the other hand, the Comprehension test can be used as a complementary factor in the calculation of this index.

Perceptual Reasoning

The terminology "Perceptual Reasoning" replaced "Perceptual Organization" in the transition from the third WAIS to the fourth WAIS. This factor measures the ability of the person being tested to interpret, organize and to interpret, organize and think correctly using visual informationIt is therefore related to fluid reasoning and perception rather than verbal.

The classic tests that make up this index are Design with cubes (creating figures seen in images using cubes), Matrices and Incomplete figures. It also includes two new tests: Visual Puzzles and Figurative Weight. The first is central to the calculation of the Perceptual Reasoning index, while Figurative Weight is a complementary subtest.

Working Memory

The Working Memory index evaluates the ability to apprehend and retain information in the short term, as well as to carry out operationsas well as to carry out cognitive operations on it. It is composed of two basic tests: Arithmetic and Digit Retention. It also includes the complementary test Succession of numbers and letters.

4. Processing speed

Processing speed is a measure of an individual's ability to process visual information quickly and efficiently. process visual information quickly and efficiently. The scores on the tests that make up this index also serve as a secondary indicator of motor speed.

The two main tests weighted in this index are Symbol Search and Cues. Cancellation, which is the only new test in the WAIS-IV along with Visual Puzzles and Figurative Weight, serves as a supplementary factor.

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