Neuropsychological Testing, IQ, WAIS / WISC, etc.

[EuclidWasRight]

I'm starting a separate thread on this. I was looking at my old WAIS-IV test scores. I didn't really know what they meant. The psychologist explained the test, but it wasn't enough. I looked for more information about the tests and what they are supposed to measure. I hope the links are useful.

Feel free to add more. Feel free to add info about different tests. Feel free to discuss.

A sample of what the WISC test is like:

WISC IV subtests
WISC IV description

Brief descriptions of the WAIS/WISC sub-tests. Info on test error. (pdf):

link.springer.com/content/pdf/bbm:978-1-137-02558-6/1.pdf

 

[Crossbreed]

I brought up the WAIS/WISC earlier because a number of people insist that a high IQ score just measures how good one is at "taking tests."

While it is possible for written tests, nothing could be further from the truth for many (or all) of the sub-tests for the above. It just doesn't wash.

For the Memory test, they verbally tell you a progressively longer string of numbers until you make a mistake.

1. In the first test, you repeat the numbers in the same sequence they were told to you. 8054882198 = 8054882198
2. For test #2, you say them back in reverse order. 8054882198 = 8912884508
3. In test #3, you repeat all digits in numerical order. 8054882198 = 0124588889

No amount of study will subvert the intentions of these tests, nor can you fake them. (Even knowing how they are structured, in advance, does not grant you an advantage.) Your score, there, is the objective snapshot of your memory capabilities (just like the game of Simon is).

The Block Design test works the same way for a different facet of your neurology [spatial reasoning]. There is no study; no cheat. The Wikipedia page even details how the test is conducted, but it confers no advantage.

At a different test [not WAIS], I was told to tap a counter with my finger as fast as I could for a set period of time. They would punch that number into a formula and produce my [Processing Speed] IQ. (Try faking/cheating that.)

The WAIS had an unrelated set of sub-tests to figure my Processing Speed sub-score ...and it came up with the same number!

Across so many different types of IQ tests, my scores have been consistent, in both my strengths AND my weaknesses.

 

[Johann]

I think the best thing is for people to get a glance at the research..

Read First: Overall article about the levels of cognition in the different ways they think at different deviations:

High, Exceptional & Profound Giftedness - InterGifted
https://www.sengifted.org/post/exceptionally-gifted-children-different-minds
https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/underserved.htm

Read Second: Social/Emotional characteristics of the gifted
Gifted children: Emotionally immature or emotionally intense? | Davidson Institute
https://positivedisintegration.com/Lovecky1986.pdf

Read Third: Twice Exceptional
Twice Exceptional: Definition, Characteristics & Identification
https://www.sengifted.org/allarticles/categories/twice-exceptionality-nontraditional


Organizations/ Publications (just read/listen to all of it)

Davidson Gifted Blog | Davidson Institute
https://www.sengifted.org/post/diversity-in-giftedness
Articles about Giftedness on InterGifted's Blog
https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/
Linda Silverman — Gifted Development Center

Media
Overexcitabilities (Dabrowski)

Best DVD on gifted people/and their parents -_0... ( a longitudinal study)
Child Genius: A Longitudinal Look at Young Prodigies

the first hour or so is here : https://www.bilibili.com/video/av10075635?from=search&seid=9113193667110096425

* p.s. they take iq tests during the documentary..
also the creator of doc martin, his son is one of the profoundly gifted children...and the director of the talented mr.ripley.. is the child's uncle.. furthermore the co-star of the new saw movie (spiral) is his cousin. (Minghella family)

People

leta hollingworth
Dabrowski
Linda Silverman
blah blah.. look at the citations for more people

 

[Crossbreed]

Intellectual giftedness is another form of neuro-diversity, and is related to autism (without severe co-morbids).

Having both is called "Twice Exceptional" or 2e.

 

[EuclidWasRight]

I skimmed through some of the articles above. There are some interesting points.

What I really wanted to get at was simply a better understanding of the tests themselves. The tests are tasks that you have to do, and your scores are how well you did on that task. (Note: That's not the same as how well you take a test.) If you know exactly what the task was, you can decide for yourself what it means. The descriptions I linked to say what the tests are supposed to measure. It took me a while to find good explanations, so I thought I would share.

The words used by the test creators, like "processing speed" or "reading fluency", might mean one thing to them, but seem like something else to me. I wanted to know what it meant to them. I figured other people might be confused too.

Maybe I'm the only one who obsesses over my medical records....

 

[Crossbreed]

Maybe I'm the only one who obsesses over my medical records...

Many of us here perseverate* over neuro-diversity, at least, our own personal & family experiences with it.

*"Perseveration" is a technical term for autistic special interests.

 

[Crossbreed]

The words used by the test creators, like "processing speed...," <snipped> might mean one thing to them, but seem like something else to me.

IIUC, "processing speed" is homologous to the clock function in a computer.

The Finger Tapping test [not WAIS] is the least convoluted way to measure the brain's switching (on/off) rate, as the movement is uncomplicated. Some claim that it is the whole of one's IQ, but Processing Speed is only one of four sub-scores on the WAIS/WISC.