Identification of Factor Models for the Wisc-Iii

Abstract

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test three models of the WISC-III including Wechsler's original two-factor conceptualization, Kaufman's three-factor model, and the four-factor model proposed in the WISC-III manual. Correlation matrixes and standard deviations for the standardization sample for age groups 6 to 16 provided in the WISC-III manual were used as input to LISREL 7 to test the three models. Statistically, none of the models fit the data very well except for the three-factor and four-factor models for ages 6 and 9. However, incremental fit and cross-validation indexes showed the four factor model fit the data better for all age groups. Because there is no psychological theory to support the four-factor conceptualization of the new WISC-III, additional theoretical and empirical research is needed to clarify the third and fourth factors. Until such research is conducted, these factors remain enigmatic and bring into question their usefulness for clinical and research efforts.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bollen, K. (1989). Structural equations with latent variables. New York: Wiley.

Browne, M. , & Cudeck, R. (1989). Single sample cross-validation indexes for covariance structures. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 24, 445-455.

Cohen, M. , Becker, M. , & Campbell, R. (1990). Relationships among four methods of assessment of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Journal of School Psychology, 28, 189-202.

Joreskog, K. , & Sorbom, D. (1988). LISREL 7: A guide to the program and applications. Chicago: SPSS, Inc.

Kamphaus, R. W. (1993). Clinical assessment of children ' intelligence. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Kaufman, A. S. (1975). Factor analysis of the WISC-R at 11 age levels between 6 1/2 and 16 1/2 years. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43, 135-147.

Kaufman, A. S. (1979). Intelligent testing with the WISC-R. New York: Wiley Interscience.

Little, S. G. (1991, October). Is the WISC-III factor structure valid? [Letter to the editor]. Cotnmunique, p. 24.

Macmann, G. M. , & Barnett, D. W. (1992). Redefining the WISC-R: Implications for professional practice and public policy. Journal of Special Education, 26, 139-161.

10.

Wechsler, D. (1974). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children: Manual. New York: Psychological Corporation.

11.

Wechsler, D. (1991). Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third edition: Manual. New York: Psychological Corporation.