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Abstract

This study examined whether ability scores from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) showed criterion-related bias. Participants (N= 832) comprised a referral cohort between ages 8 and 16 years that differed by race (Anglo, African American) and gender. Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQs from the WISC-III were used to predict Reading, Mathematics, Language, and Writing Composites from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT). Unlike previous research with the WISCIII, 50% of the analyses (12 out of 24) showed statistically significant effects. However, in all instances where bias was found, differences in regressions were statistically significant for intercepts, but not for slopes, and served to overpredict the performance of minority groups (African Americans, females) relative to majority groups (Anglos, males). Results are discussed in the context of how instances of differences in intercepts could mislead psychologists in interpreting children's ability scores.

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Possible Criterion-Related Bias of the WISC-III with a Referral Sample

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