Module 5 - Cognitive Assessment

Question 1

What factors in post war period contributed to increase in intelligence tests?

Answer 1

• Army testing promoted credibility
• Many psychs were now trained in test construction and interpretation
• Psychological Corp founded in 1921
• Publication of group intelligence tests expanded applications
• Development tests increased because of concerns of inadequacies of Stanford Binet

Question 2

What are some of the advantages of the newly released Weschler - Bellevue test?

Answer 2

• Based on familiar tests that psychs accepted as valid and organised into a composite scale
• Organised into verbal and performance scales that could be administered separately
• Use of deviation score obviated statistical artefacts and provided statistical basis for interpreting the subtext profile and verbal performance discrepancy
• Large standardisation sample spanning from childhood to adulthood selected in a precise manner
• Met the need of rapid growth of clinical psychology

Question 3

Describe the 5 paradoxes that the history of the Weschler intelligence scales present modern psychology.

Answer 3

1. Remarkable that the rate of change in intelligence testing has been so slow given the pace of change in science
2. Modern revisions have had few changes of Weschler Bellevue but interpretation changed dramatically
3. No major upgrades to clinical utility in WAIS despite originally being design around developmental stages in children
4. Tests are associated with Weschler but not other psychologists
5. It’s not designed to adequately test cognitive deficits despite the large role it plays in neuropsychology assessment

Question 4

What does the Weschler test NOT measure?

Answer 4

Memory and executive functioning

Question 5

What broader factors should be considered when conducting an assessment?

Answer 5

• Personality
• Social cognition
• Psychological distress
• Academic abilities
• Attempt to deceive psychologist (malingering)
• Lack of motivation for test (effort testing)