CALUBAG, JHON KENNETH I.

BS-Psych3B

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Report Outline

CHAPTER 9: Intellectual and Neuropsychological Assessment

 Measuring cognitive performance has been a hallmark of clinical psychology since its
origin.
 Knowledge of a client level of cognitive functioning, including both strength and deficits
can help a clinical psychologist with diagnosis treatment of many presenting problems.
 Some disorders like specific learning disorder , intellectual disorder or giftedness focuses
on cognitive issues in some parts.

This chapter focuses on three types of tests, each related to cognitive functioning in some
way but each with a distinct purpose.

 Intellectual test- measures a client intellectual abilities

 Achievement test- measure what a client has accomplish with those intellectual
abilities.
 Neuropsychological test- focus on issues of cognitive or brain dysfunction, including
the effects of brain injuries and illnesses.

INTELLIGENCE TESTING

Classic Theories of Intelligence

 Specific intelligence tests used by clinical psychologist are rooted in contrasting

theories of intelligent.
 Clinical psychologist never reached a consensus regarding the definition of
intelligence. Many experts on this area emphasized many abilities as central to
intelligence; speed in mental processing, sensory capacity, abstract thinking,
imagination, adaptability, capacity to learn through experience, memory, and
reasoning.
 Singular or plural nature of intelligence

Charles Spearman

In early 1900’s Spearman proposed a theory; Intelligence is a singular characteristic. He

labeled this characteristic as “g” for general intelligence and argue that it represent a persons
global, overall intellectual abilities.

This theory was based on research which he measured many different specific
capabilities of his participants. The primary findings was a strong correlation between those wide
range of abilities suggesting that single factors underline them all.
 He also acknowledged that more specific abilities (“s”) existed but only played small role
in intelligence.

Louise Thurstone

Thurstone was one of the strongest opponents of Spearsman singular theory of intelligent.
According to him, intelligence should not be understood as a single, unified ability but as
numerous distinct abilities that have little relationship to one another.

Another contribution of Thurston is the statistical procedure called multiple factor

analysis.

He found several independent factors and he labeled such as verbal comprehension,

numerical ability, spatial reasoning and memory.

Eventually Spearman and Thurnstone each acknowledges the validity of the others argument and
come to somewhat compromise. They settled in the hierarchical model of intelligence.

Contemporary Theories of Intelligence

1900s – James Cattell proposed two separate intelligences.

1. Fluid Intelligence- ability to reason when faced with novel problems

2. Crystalize Intelligence- the body of knowledge one has accumulated as a result of
life experience.

2005- John Carroll proposed the Three-stratum theory of intelligence, in which intelligence
operates at three level. A single “g”at the top, 8 broad factors immediately beneath and more than
60 highly specific abilities beneath the broad factors.

Wechsler Intelligence Tests

David Wechsler test become prominent among clinical psychologist. Three are three
separate Wechsler test, each the most highly respected and popular for its respective age range.

1. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – 4th edition (WAIS-IV)

2. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – 4th edition (WISC-IV)
3. Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence- 3rd edition (WPPSI-III)
 Most Recent Year Age Range
Edition Publish (years)

Intelligence Test
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) IV 2008 16 to 90
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV 2003 6 to 16
(WISC)
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale III 2002 2 yrs. Old
of Intelligence (WPPSI) 6months
to7 yrs.
And 3
months

Standford-Binet Intelligence Scale V 2003 2 to 28₊

Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test I 1996 5 to 17
(UNIT)
Achievement Test
Wechsler Individual Intelligence Test III 2009 4 to 50
(WIAT)
Neuropsychological Tests
Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological I Varies by 15₊
Test battery (HRB) test

Bender-Visual-Motor Gestalt Test II 2003 4₊

 Wechsler test yield full-scale intelligence score, four index scores and about dozen
specific subtest-score
 They administer one-on-one and face to face.
 Each subtest is brief lasting about 2-10 minutes and consist of items which increase in
difficulty as subtest progresses.
 Originally Wechsler test were design with two categories of subtest. Verbal and
Performance. (Nonverbal) but it was replace into four factors. These four factors forms
the names of four index scores.
1. Verbal Comprehension Index – a measure of verbal concept formation and
verbal reasoning.
2. Perceptual Reasoning Index – (called Perceptual Organization Index in WAIS)
– a measure of fluid reasoning, spatial processing and visual-motor integration.
3. Working Memory Index – a measure of the capacity to store, transform, and
recall incoming information and data in short term memory.
4. Processing Speed Index – a measure of the ability to process simple or rote
information rapidly and accurately
 Wechsler intelligence tests are all backed by very impressive psychometric data. Large
number of empirical studies suggests that these tests have the characteristics of strong
reliability and validity.
 Wechsler intelligence test are used for wide range of clinical application including
evaluations that focuses on issues of intellectual disability , developmental delays,
educational and vocational planning, school placement and qualification.
 It also provide intelligence information, assessment to client with neuropsychological
problems (Alzheimer’s disease), emotion (e.g., mood disorder) or behavioral (e.g.,
ADHD)