Screening Ability of the Broad-Band versus Narrow-Band Intellectual Scales of the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC)

Abstract

The present study sought to shed light on the relative effectiveness of the narrow-band and broad-band intellectual scales of the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) as screening measures for the need for an intensive assessment. Following family interviews and extensive psychological testing, 40 preschool children had been placed in either the treatment (n = 20) or regular (n = 20) nursery program. The ability of the PIC narrow-band scales Achievement (ACH), Intellectual Screening (IS), and Development (DVL), and the PIC broad-band Cognitive Development scale (Scale IV) to differentiate these two groups of children was assessed. Analysis of covariance procedures revealed that all four PIC scales were able to significantly differentiate the two groups, with the broad-band scale (Scale IV) as effective as the most effective of the narow-band scales. Chi-square analysis indicated that high versus low scores on Scale IV correctly identified the group placement of 36 of the 40 children. The results strongly support the proposition that Scale IV: Cognitive Development, a broad-band scale derived from a considerably abbreviated version of the PIC, is an effective, economical screening measure for the need for intensive assessment within a preschool population.