Original scientific paper
Prevalence of low scores and discrepancy
of results on intelligence measure
(WAIS-IV) in adults
Krunoslav Matešić
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Hrvatsko katoličko sveučilište, Odjel za psihologiju, Ilica 244, 10000 Zagreb
Valentina Ružić
-
Naklada Slap, Centar za edukacije i istraživanja, Miramarska Cesta 105, 10000 Zagreb
https://doi.org/10.21465/2024-KP-1-2-0001
Fulltext (english, pages 9-18).pdf
Abstracts
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale is one of the world’s most recognizable measures of intelligence
for adults, comprised of 10 core and 5 supplemental subtests. Since it is a battery of tests, research of discrepancy
between subtest scores enables conclusions regarding possible misinterpretations of a single test
score. Adaptation and standardization of the fourth revision of WAIS was conducted in 2019. for Croatian
language.
The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of low scores on subtests and Indexes as well as the
difference between scores regarding overall intelligence level.
Data was gathered for 700 adults (343 males and 357 females), aged between 16 and 74 years. The sample
was stratified according to age, self-reported gender (male/female), and five geographical regions.
The results show that single low scores among healthy adults are not uncommon, even when using strict
and rigorous cut-off scores such as below 2nd percentile (i. e. 12.9 for subtests and 5.7 for Index scores). Also,
results show that 1 out of 4 participants of the study had differences between Index scores greater than one
standard deviation, and those differences were greater and more common in groups with above average
and high overall intelligence. These results indicate that variability of results is a normal feature of cognitive
functioning and should not automatically be considered as proof of existence of a cognitive disorder.
Keywords
discrepancy of results, intelligence, WAIS-IV-HR, subtests, index scores