The main purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the name Freedom from Distractibility, commonly assigned to the third factor usually found on the Wechsler intelligence scales. The WAIS scores of 111 mentally retarded individuals were submitted to a factor analysis, and the resulting factors were correlated with these subjects' scores on the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS). It was hypothesized that if this factor was really a measure of attention, then, compared to the other factors, it should show (a) a stronger relationship with the Hyperactive Tendencies domain of the ABS, (b) a lower correlation with the cognitive domains of the ABS, and (c) a lower correlation with the general factor extracted from the WAIS. The results failed to support any of these hypotheses. It was concluded that Freedom from Distractibility may be a misnomer. This factor appears to be tapping a more cognitive factor, perhaps memory or some aspect of numerical ability.
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