Analysis of WISC Coding: 3. Writing and Copying Speed,and Motivation

Abstract

This series of studies examined the relationship between performance on the WISC Coding subtest and speed of writing and of copying symbols. The effect of reinforcement on all 3 was also examined. Poor coders performed less well than good coders on speed of writing the letter X repetitively and on speed of copying symbols. On the latter task, however, the Between-groups effect was reduced to non-significance when differences in copying were adjusted for differences in speed of writing by analysis of covariance. Monetary plus verbal reinforcement was highly effective in increasing speed of writing Xs but did not affect performance on the copying or coding tasks. There was no basis for explaining differences between good and poor coders in terms of differential motivation.