This paper reviews WISC-R research that has particular pertinence for the assessment of learning disabilities. Three topics are treated in depth: factor analysis investigations, recategorization of subtests into Bannatyne's four groupings, and interscale/intrascale scatter. For each topic, relevant current research findings are summarized and interpreted, their implications for LD assessment are explored, and avenues for future research are delineated.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Ackerman, P. T., Dykman, R. A., & Peters, J. E.Hierarchical factor patterns on the WISC as related to areas of learning deficit. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1976, 42, 381–386.
2.
Anderson, M., Kaufman, A. S., & Kaufman, N. L.Use of the WISC-R with a learning disabled population: Some diagnostic implications. Psychology in the Schools, 1976, 13, 381–386.
3.
Bannatyne, A.Language, Reading, and Learning Disabilities. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 1971.
4.
Bannatyne, A.Diagnosis: A note on recategorization of the WISC scaled scores. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1974, 7, 272–274.
5.
Baumeister, A. A., & Bartlett, C. J.A comparison of the factor structure of normals and retardates on the WISC. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1962, 66, 641–646.
6.
Blaha, J., & Vance, H.The hierarchical factor structure of the WISC-R for learning disabled children. Learning Disabilities Quarterly1979, 2, 71–75.
7.
Boder, E.Developmental dyslexia: A diagnostic approach based on three atypical reading-spelling patterns. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1973, 15, 663–687.
8.
Clarizio, H., & Bernard, R.Recategorized WISC-R scores of learning disabled children and differential diagnosis. Psychology in the Schools, 1981. 18, 5–12.
9.
Cohen, J.The factorial structure of the WISC at ages 7–6, 10–6 and 13–6. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1959, 23, 285–299.
10.
Das, J. P., Kirby, J., & Jarman, R. F.Simultaneous and successive syntheses: An alternative model for cognitive abilities. Psychological Bulletin, 1975, 82, 87–103.
11.
Das, J.P., Kirby, J., & Jarman, R.F.Simultoneous and Successive Cognitive Processes. New York: Academic Press, 1979.
12.
Dean, R. S.WISC-R factor structure for Anglo and Hispanic childrer. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association. New York City, September 1979.
13.
DeHorn, A., & Klinge, V.Correlations and factor analysis of the WISC-R and PPVT for an adolescent psychiatric sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 1160–1161.
14.
Finch, A. J., Kendall, P. C., Spirito, A., Entin, A., Montgomery, L.E., & Schwartz, D. J.Short form and factor-analytic studies of the WISC-R with behavior problem children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1979, 7, 337–344.
15.
Groff, M., & Hubble, L.Recategorized WISC-R scores of juvenile delinquents. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14, 7.
16.
Gutkin, T. B.Bannatyne patterns of Caucasian and Mexican-American learning disabled children. Psychology in the Schools, 1979, 16, 178–183. (a)
17.
Gutkin, T. B.WISC-R scatter indices: Useful information for differential diagnosis?Journal of School Psychology, 1979, 17, 368–371. (b)
18.
Gutkin, T. B., & Reynolds, C. R.Factorial similarity of the WISC-R for white and black children from the standardization sample. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1981, 73, 227–231.
19.
Hagen, E. P.A factor analysis of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Dissertation Abstracts, 1952, 12, 722.
20.
Henry, S. A., & Wittman, R. D.Diagnostic implications of Bannatyne's recategorized WISC-R scores for identifying learning disabled children. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14, 7.
21.
Karnes, F. A., & Brown, K. E.Factor analysis of the WISC-R for the gifted. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1980, 72, 197–199.
22.
Kaufman, A. S.Factor analysis of the WISC-R at eleven age levels between 6 1/2 and 16 1/2 years. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975, 43, 135–147.
23.
Kaufman, A. S.Do normal children have “flat” ability profiles?Psychology in the Schools, 1976, 13, 284–285. (a)
24.
Kaufman, A. S.A new approach to the interpretation of test scatter on the WISC-R. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1976, 9, 160–168. (b)
25.
Kaufman, A. S.Verbal-Performance IQ discrepancies on the WISC-R. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1976, 44, 739–744. (c)
26.
Kaufman, A. S.Intelligent Testing with the WISC-R. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1979.
27.
Kaufman, A. S.The impact of WISC-R research for school psychologists. In C. R. Reynolds & T. B. Gutkin (Eds.), A Handbook for School Psychology. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1981.
28.
Lombard, T. J., & Riedel, R. G.An analysis of the factor structure of the WISC-R and the effect of color on the Coding subtest. Psychology in the Schools, 1978, 15, 176–179.
29.
Moore, D. W., & Wielan, O. P.WISC-R scatter indexes of children referred for reading diagnosis. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14, (7).
30.
Naglieri, J. A.A Comparison of McCarthy GCI and WISC-R IQ Scores for Educable Mentally Retarded, Learning Disabled and Normal Children. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia, 1979.
31.
Gllendick, T. H.Discrepancies between Verbal and Performance IQs and subtest scatter on the WISC-R for juvenile delinquents. Psychological Reports, 1979, 45, 563–568.
32.
Peterson, C. R., & Hart, D. H.Factor structure of the WISC-R for a clinic-referred population and specific subgroups. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1979, 47, 643–645.
33.
Raviv, A., Margalith, M., Raviv, A., & Sade, E.The cognitive pattern of Israeli learning disabled children as reflected in the Hebrew version of the WISC-R. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14, (7).
34.
Reschly, D. J.WISC-R Factor structures among Anglos, Blacks, Chicanos, and Native-American Papagos. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 417–422.
35.
Reynolds, C. R., & Gutkin, T. B.Stability of the WISC-R factor structure across sex at two age levels. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1980, 36, 775–777.
36.
Reynolds, C. R., & Gutkin, T. B.Test scatter on the WPPSI: Normative analyses of the standardization sample. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14 (7).
37.
Rugel, R. P.WISC subtest scores of disabled readers: A review with respect to Bannatyne's recategorization. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1974, 7, 48–55.
38.
Ryckman, D. B.Searching for a WISC-R profile for learning disabled children: An inappropriate task?Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14 (7).
39.
Schiff, M. M., Kaufman, A. S., & Kaufman, N. L.Scatter analysis of WISC-R profiles for learning disabled children with superior intelligence. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14(7).
40.
Schooler, D. L., Beebe, M. C., & Koepke, T.Factor analysis of WISC-R scores for children identified as learning disabled, educable mentally impaired, and emotionally impaired. Psychology in the Schools, 1978, 15, 478–485.
41.
Smith, M. D., Coleman, J. M., Dokecki, P. R., & Davis, E. E.Recategorized WISC-R scores of learning disabled children. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1977, 10, 437–443.
42.
Stevenson, L. P.WISC-R analysis: Implications for diagnosis and educational intervention of LD children. Paper presented at the meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children, Dallas, Texas, April 1979.
43.
Stevenson, L. P.Implications for WISC-R diagnosis and intervention. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1980, 13, 346–349.
44.
Strichart, S. S., & Love, E.WISC-R performance of children referred to a university center for learning disabilities. Psychology in the Schools, 1979, 16, 183–188.
45.
Swerdlik, M. E., & Schweitzer, J.A comparison of factor structures of the WISC and WISC-R. Psychology in the Schools, 1978, 15, 166–172.
46.
Tabachnick, B. G.Test scatter on the WISC-R. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1979, 12, 626–628.
47.
Thompson, R. J.The diagnostic utility of WISC-R measures with children referred to a developmental evaluation center. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1980, 48, 440–447.
48.
Thompson, R. J.The diagnostic utility of Bannatyne's recategorized WISC-R scores with children referred to a developmental evaluation center. Pyschology in the Schools, 1981, 18, 43–47.
49.
Vance, H. B., & Singer, M. G.Recategorization of the WISC-R subtest scaled scores for learning disabled children. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1979, 12, 487–491.
50.
Van Hagen, J., & Kaufman, A. S.Factor analysis of the WISC-R for a group of mentally retarded children and adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975, 43, 661–667.
51.
Weiner, S. G., & Kaufman, A. S.WISC-R vs. WISC for black children suspected of learning or behavioral disorders. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1979, 12, 100–105.
52.
Witkin, H. A., Dyk, R. B., Faterson, H. G., Goodenough, D. R., & Karp, S. A.Psychological Differentiation. Potomac, Md.: Erlbaum, 1974.