Older subjects show consistent declines on Performance Scale scores of the WAIS. Data were collected from 22 men and 22 women over 65 yr. to determine whether the lower scores were due to decreased abilities or to task-related fatigue. Fatigue was controlled by counterbalancing the order of presentation of the WAIS scales. The Performance Scale was administered first on one-half of the protocols. Although the Verbal IQs were significantly higher than the Performance IQs, no significant difference was noted for order of presentation.
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