Seventy-seven children referred for psychological evaluations to a school psychology training clinic in Pennsylvania and 192 children referred for psychological evaluations through the public schools in Nebraska had their WISC-R subtest scores profile analyzed, with four distinct profiles identified. Cross-validation indicated that the four profiles were similar across the two samples. Profile elevation, scatter, and shape scores were calculated for each child in the combined samples. The use of these scores in a stepwise multiple regression procedure indicated that profile elevation was the major predictor of academic achievement. Shape values added significant but almost inconsequential variance to the predictions of both Reading and Arithmetic. Scatter in dices did not aid in the prediction of achievement. The meaning and usefulness of WISC-R profile analysis is discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Bannatyne, A.Diagnosis: A note on recategorization of the WISC scaled scaled scores. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1974, 7, 272-274.
2.
Burger, G. K., & Cross, D. T.Personality types as measured by the California Personality Inventory. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1979, 47, 65-71.
3.
Garrett, H. E.Statistics in psychology and education (6th ed.). New York: Longmans, 1966.
4.
Hale, R. L.The utility of WISC-R subtest scores in discriminating among adequate and underachieving children. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 1979, 14, 245-253.
5.
Hale, R. L., & Landino, S. A.Utility of WISC-R subtest analysis in discriminating among groups of conduct problem, withdrawn, mixed, and non-problem boys. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1981, 49, 91-95.
6.
Hale, R. L., & Raymond, M. R.Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised patterns of strengths and weaknesses as predictors of the intelligence achievement relationship. Diagnostique, 1981, 7, 35-42.
7.
Hartlage, L. C.Neuropsychological assessment techniques. In C. R. Reynolds and T.B. Gutkin (Eds.) The Handbook of School Psychology. New York: Wiley, 1982.
8.
Jastak, J. E., Bijou, S. W., & Jastak, S.Manual, the Wide Range Achievement Test. Wilmington: Guidance Associates of Delaware, 1976.
9.
Kaufman, A. S.Intelligence testing with the WISC-R. New York: Wiley, 1979.
10.
McDermott, P. A.Congruence and typology of diagnoses in school psychology: An empirical study. Psychology in the Schools, 1980, 17, 12-24.
11.
Miller, M. M.On the attempt to find WISC-R profiles for learning and reading disabilities (a response to Vance, Wallbrown, and Blaha). Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1980, 13, 338-340.
12.
Rourke, B. P.Reading retardation in children: Developmental lag or deficit? In R. M. Knights and D. J. Baker (Eds.), Neuropsychology of learning disorders. Theoretical approaches. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1976.
13.
Rourke, B. P., & Orr, R. R.Prediction of reading and spelling performances of normal and retarded readers: A four-year follow-up. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1977, 5, 9-20.
14.
Sattler, J. M.Assessment of children's intelligence and special abilities (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1982.
15.
Skinner, H. A., & Lei, H.A Manual for Modal Profile Analysis. Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation, 1980.(a)
16.
Skinner, H. A., & Lei, H.Modal profile analysis: A computer program for classification research. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1980, 53, 200-204.(b)
17.
Skinner, H. A., Jackson, D. N., & Hoffman, H.Alcoholic personality types: Identification and correlates. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1974, 83, 658-666.
18.
Stevenson, L. P.WISC-R analysis: Implications for diagnosis and educational intervention of LD children. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1980, 13, 346-350.
19.
Tabachnik, B. G.Test scatter on the WISC-R. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1979, 12, 626, 628.
20.
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.
21.
Thorndike, R. L. In O. K. Buros, The seventh mental measurements yearbook. (Vol I). Highland Park, N.J.: Gryphon Press, 1972.
22.
Vance, H. B., Singer, M. G., & Egin, A. W., WISC-R subtest differences for male and female LD children and youth. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1980, 36, 953-957.
23.
Wiggins, J. S.Personality and prediction. Principles of personality assessment. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1973.
24.
Wright, D., & Dappen, L.Factor analysis of the WISC-R and the WRAT with a referral population. Journal of School Psychology, in press.
