Correlation of Scores on Wechsler Memory Scale and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale for Chronic Alcoholics and Normals

Abstract

Previous research had indicated that the Wechsler Memory Scale was as highly correlated with IQ as its own reliability, suggesting that it was no more than a poor intelligence test. The present study questioned whether this result was due to the irrelevance of the test for the population studied. 10 chronic alcoholic men were tested (M_age = 37.7 yr.) after detoxification and 1 mo. later, as were 10 matched normal subjects (M_age = 29.8 yr.). While there was only approximately 35% overlap for the two tests among chronic alcoholics, the overlap was approximately 80% for normals. It was concluded that the Wechsler Memory Scale is sufficiently independent from IQ to permit its use with people whose memory functioning is in question, though not with other populations.