A principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed for a sample of male adult congenitally blind persons. Seventeen variables were measured, including the six WAIS Verbal subtests, the six HISAB subtests, the Category Width Scale, the Repression-Sensitization Scale, the Rigidity Scale, a measure of sophistication of body concept, and vision. The analysis produced five factors, three of which are small specific factors. The first common factor, described as nonverbal ability, is of substantial magnitude and suggests that these measures clearly assess areas of intellectual functioning not tapped by verbal testing alone, and that level of useful vision is a highly important consideration in evaluating the test performance of this group. The second common factor is described as verbal intelligence, and it is proposed that much of the variance involved in tests of Information, Vocabulary, Similarities, and Comprehension can be attributed to verbal memory and that these four tests provide an adequate assessment of learning potential for this group. Standard regression coefficients for computing factor scores are provided. The validity data presented should facilitate the application of the cognitive style approach to further research with congenitally blind persons.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonR.P.Raven Progressive Matrices for presentation to the blind. Final Report, Grant No. RD 670, VRA of HEAWashington, D.C., 1964.
2.
AveryC.D., & StreitfeldJ.W.An abbreviation of the Haptic Intelligence Scale for clinical use.Education of the Visually Handicapped, 1969, 37–40.
3.
AxelrodS.Effects of early blindness: Performance of blind and sighted children on tactile and auditory tasks.New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 1959.
4.
BalinskyB.An analysis of the mental factors of various age groups from 9–60.Genetic Psychology Monographs, 1941, 23, 191–234.
5.
BannatyneA.Diagnosing learning disabilities and writing remedial prescriptions.Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1968, 242–249.
6.
BaumanM.K.Studies in the application of motor skill techniques to the vocational adjustment of the blind.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1946, 30, 144–154.
7.
BaumanM.K.A manual of norms for tests used in counseling persons.New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 1958.
8.
BaumanM.K., & HayesS.P.A manual for the psychological examination of the adult blind.New York: The Psychological Corporation, 1951.
9.
BryanJ.M., & BryanJ.H.Understanding learning disabilities.New York: Alfred Publishing Co., 1975.
10.
BurklenK.Die Anwendung der Binet-Simon—Methode zur Intelligenzprufung blinder Kinder.Zietschrift fur das Österreiche Blindenwesen, 1918, 5, 959–965. Cited by S.P. Hayes, Measuring Intelligence, in P.A. Zahl, Blindness. New York: Hafher Publishing Co., 1962.
11.
BurklenK.Intelligenzprufunger bei blinder Kinder.Zeitschrift fur das Österreiche Blindenwesen, 1921, 8, 1438–1440. Cited by S.P. Hayes, Measuring intelligence, in P.A. Zahl, Blindness. New York: Hafner Publishing Co., 1962.
12.
ByrneD.The Repression-Sensitization Scale: Rationale, reliability, and validity.Journal of Personality, 1961, 29(3), 334–349.
13.
ByrneD.Repression-sensitization as a dimension'of personality. In MaherB.A., (Ed.), Progress in experimental personality research Vol. 1.New York: Academic Press, 1964.
14.
CattellR.B.Factor analysis: An introduction and manual for the psychologist and social scientist.New York: Harper, 1952.
15.
CohenJ.A factor-analytically based rationale for the Wechsler-Bellevue.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1952, 16, 272–277(a).
16.
CohenJ.Factors underlying Wechsler-Bellevue performance of three neuropsychiatric groups.Journal of Abnormal Social Psychology, 1952, 47, 359–365(b).
17.
CohenJ.A factor-analytically based rationale for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1957, 21, 451–457(a).
18.
CohenJ.The factorial structure of the WAIS between early adulthood and old age.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1957, 21, 283–290(b).
19.
CohenJ.The factorial structure of the WISC at ages 7–6, 10–6, and 13–6.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1959, 23, 285–299.
20.
DavidsonM.T.The development of a test for the blind. Unpublished Master's thesis, University of Illinois1935.
21.
DavidsonM., & BrownA.W.The development and standardization of the IJR Test for the visually handicapped.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1939, 23, 229–239.
22.
DavisP.C.A factor analysis of the Wechsler-Bellevue Scale.Educational Psychological Measurements, 1956, 16, 127–146.
23.
DennerllR.D., BreederJ., & SokolovS.L.WISC and WAIS factors in children and adults with epilepsy.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1964, 20, 236–237.
24.
DonahueW., & DabelsteinD. (Eds.) Psychological diagnosis and counseling of the adult blind.New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 1950.
25.
DrummondW.B.A Binet Scale for the blind.Edinburgh Medical Journal, 1920, 24, 16–31, 91–99.
26.
EberR.W.The factor structure of the WAIS-Verbal and HIS-Test combination.Journal of Educational Research, 1967, 27–28.
27.
GallagherP.A correlation study of HAPTIC subtest scores and travel rating skills of blind adolescents.The New Outlook for the Blind, 1968, 62, 240–246.
28.
GaultV.Factorial patterns of the Wechsler intelligence scales.Australian Journal of Psychology, 1954, 6, 85–90.
29.
GilbertJ., & RubinE.Evaluating the intellect of blind children.The New Outlook for the Blind, 1965, 59, 238–240.
30.
GoodenoughE.R., & KarpS.A.Field dependence and intellectual functioning.Journal of Abnormal Social Psychology, 1961, 63(2), 241–245.
31.
GoughH.G.The development of a rigidity scale. Unpublished manuscript, University of CaliforniaBerkeley, Institute of Personality Assessment and Research, 1951, reissued 1967.
32.
GuilfordJ.P., FrickJ.W., ChristensenP.R., & MerrifieldP.R.A factor-analytic study of flexibility in thinking, Laboratory Reports, No. 18, Los Angeles: University of Southern California, Dept. of Psychology, 1957.
33.
HainesT.H.A point scale for the mental measurement of the blind.Journal of Educational Psychology, 1916, 7, 143–150.
34.
HammerA.C.A factor analysis of the Bellevue test.Australian Journal of Psychology, 1950, 1, 108–114.
35.
HayesS.P.Scissors and paste adaptation of the 1916 Terman revision of the Binet-Simon tests.Outlook for the Blind, 1923, 3, 26–28.
36.
HayesS.P.Terman's condensed guide adapted for use with the blind.Watertown, Mass.: Perkins Institute, 1930.
37.
HayesS.P.Alternative scores for the mental measurement of the blind.The New Outlook for the Blind., 1942, 36, 225–230.
38.
KarpS.A.Overcoming embeddedness in perceptual and intellectual functioning. Unpublished study, 1962.
39.
KeoghB.K., WetterJ., McGintyA., & DonlonG.Functional analysis of WISC performance of learning disordered, hyperactive and mentally retarded boys.Psychology in the Schools., 1973, 10, 178–181.
40.
LanganI.W.Instruction booklet for a special adaptation for the blind of the 1937 revision of the Stanford-Binet tests.Bristol, England: Burden Mental Research Dept., 1945.
41.
LowenfeldB.Psychological problems of children with impaired vision. In CruickshankW. (Ed.), Psychology of exceptional children and youth.Englewood: Prentice-Hall, 1965.
42.
LowenfeldF.Psychological foundation of special methods in teaching blind children. In ZahlP.A. (Ed.), Blindness: modern approaches to the unseen environment.New York: Hafner, 1963.
43.
MaxwellA.E.A factor analysis of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.British Journal of Educational Psychology, 1959, 29, 237–241.
44.
MaymanM., SchaferR., & RapaportD.Interpretation of the Wechsler-Bellevue Scale in personality appraisal. In AndersonH.H., & AndersonGladys (Eds.), An introduction to projective techniques.New York: Prentice-Hall, 1951.
45.
MillerL.R.A factor analytic study of cognitive abilities in congenitally blind individuals. (Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 1970). Dissertation Abstracts International, 1971, 32, (University Microfilms No. 71–19, 032).
46.
NewlandT.E.Psychological assessment of exceptional children and youth. In CruickshankW.M. (Ed.), Psychology of exceptional children and youth.Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1965.
47.
OsborneR.T.Factorial composition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children at the pre-school level.Psychological Reports, 1963, 13, 443–448.
48.
PattersonC.H.The Wechsler-Bellevue Scales: A guide for counselors.Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas, 1953.
49.
PettigrewT.F.The measurement and correlates of category width as a cognitive variable.Journal of Personality, 1958, 26, 532–544.
50.
RadcliffJ.A.WAIS factorial structure and factor scores for ages 18–54.Australian Journal of Psychology, 1966, 18(3), 228–238.
51.
RapaportD., GillM., & SchaferR.Diagnostic psychological testing. Vol. 1. Chicago: Year Book Publishers, 1945.
52.
RugelR.P.WISC subtest scores of disabled readers: A review with respect to Bannatyne's recategorization.Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1974, 7(1), 57–64.
53.
ShurragerH.C.A Haptic Intelligence Scale for Adult Blind.Chicago: Illinois Institute of Technology, 1961.
SpunginS.J., & SwallowR.M.Psychoeducational assessment: Role of psychologist to teacher of the visually handicapped.Education of the Visually Handicapped, 1975, 7(3), 67–75.
56.
SuinnR.M.The theory of cognitive style: A partial replication.Journal of General Psychology, 1967, 77(1), 11–15.
57.
SuinnR.M., DautermanW., & ShapiroB.The Stanford Ohwaki-Kohs Block Design Intelligence Test for the Blind.The New Outlook for the Blind, 1966, 60, 77–79.
58.
TeareR.J.Vision and vocational achievement: An early experience approach. In M.K. Bauman, A. Gruber, W. Jones, M. Palacios, & R.J. Teare, Correlates of vision loss: A symposium.Kansas: University of Wichita, 1963.
59.
TeareR.J., & GruberA.Tactual Reconstruction Pegboard (TRP) Manual.Human Sciences Research, Inc., McLean, Virginia in conjunction with Dunlap & Associates, Darien, Connecticut.
60.
TeareR.J., & JonesW.R.The Vocational Intelligence Scale for the Adult Blind (VISAB) manual & directions for scoring.Human Sciences Research, Inc., McLean, Virginia in conjunction with Science Research Associates, Chicago, Illinois, 1966.
61.
WitkinH.A.Some implications of research on cognitive style for problems of education.Archivio di psicologia, neurologia e psichiatria, 1965.
62.
WitkinH.A., BirnbaumJ., LomonacoS., LehrS., & HermanJ.L.Cognitive patterning in congenitally totally blind children. Symposium on “Cognitive Structure and Personality,”American Psychological AssociationChicago, 1965.
