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Wechsler Intelligence Test VS General IQ Tests

Before 1939 there was no IQ test to measure intelligence of adults and mental patients. First Wechsler intelligence test was an aswer and named as Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale. The Stanford-Binets Scale was still holding the field when David Wechsler announced to design one for adults and mentally retarded people. It was a big development upon the previously available psychological instruments.

Most of the items before Wechsler test, were set from the school text books and for the children. The formula of mental age was ambiguously used for the people of all ages without any logical reasoning. Most of the items were built around language and verbal skills. Most of the questions were set for manipulation of words. Speed was considered more important than the accuracy.

Major Developments In First Wechsler Test

The first Wechsler intelligence test was not a creation at all. David Wechsler took Stanford-Binets Scale and improved it. But the changes were such vital that they transformed the Wechsler test into a new genre. Wechsler added performance items to balance verbal questions. The accuracy was given more important than speed. Following the major developments:

Wais Test Changes IQ Scoring Formula

The usual formula to measure your intelligence was:

IQ=Mental Age/Chronological Age

However, Wechsler test changed this formula into:

IQ=Attained or Actual Score/Expected Mean Score for Age

Concept of Constant I.Q In Wechsler Test

Wechsler Test declared that raw intellectual ability of the individuals may decrease or increase with the passage of time but IQ will remain constant with the normal aging. It was an interesting claim. David Wechsler claims:

“The constancy of the I.Q is the basic assumption of all scales where relative degrees of intelligence are defined in terms of it. It is not only basic, but absolutely necessary that I.Q.’s be independent of the age at which they are calculated, because unless the assumption holds, no permanent scheme of intelligence classification is possible.”

This vital statement for Wechsler intelligence tests is not more than a philosophical choice. It has neither any ground nor any experimental proof. No scholar can prove it as an inherent character of human nature. It varies from person to person. However, it is widely accepted in the testing industry.

Wechsler intelligence test is different from the previous psychological instruments. It is a point scale rather than a mental age scale. Mental age is no more important for grouping the items. Rather, you are scored for your correct answers. These raw scores are then converted into standard scores, which are related to IQ values. An average standard score of Wechsler intelligence test is IQ of 100.

Suitable for Adults

Wechsler intelligence test covers much bigger age range than any other intelligent test in the industry. It provides separate age norms for the adults differing in their ages. In Stanford-Binet, all individuals above the age of eighteen are considered equal in their intelligence. However, the common observation does not support it. At least several studies have indicated that intelligence rises after eighteen and then its decline starts. It never remains the same throughout.

David Wechsler designed Wechsler intelligence test to compare your IQ with the normative groups of your own age. The available data of different Wechsler intelligence Scales indicates that peak age of your mental development is about 25-29 years. Some raise the threshold to 40 years. Sooner or later a decline starts in your IQ scores. The decline in mental ability is the most apparent in the very old age categories of the samples. And you must not forget that IQ reflects your performance in terms of the age norm with which you are grouped into for comparing purposes.

Suitable for Psychiatric Diagnosis

Besides aiding adults, David Wechsler wanted to build a psychological instrument to help psychiatric diagnosing. He divided Wechsler intelligence test into different verbal and performance sections. It became easier to compare your capacities in using words and symbols versus the ability to manipulate objects and perceive visual patterns. The large differences between the both sections were considered important nodes for such diagnosis. Now these nodes are used widely for analyzing functionality of your brain.

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Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Sub-Tests

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III and Old Versions

WAIS-A tool to classify you as a Genius or an Idiot?

Reasons Behind Popularity Wechsler I.Q Tests

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