| dc.description.abstract | This study examined block presentation on the Block Design subtest
of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. The standardized
procedure dictates that a variety of sides be shown and that the
red/white side be facing up only on one of the blocks when four are
used, and only three when all nine blocks are given. It is believed that
many administrators scramble the blocks, which may or may not comply
with the standardized procedure. This study attempted to gauge the
impact of this error on Block Design performance. Sixty subjects were
tested ranging in age from 18 to 64 years and in IQ from 73 to 122.
Each subject was given the Kaufman’s ’quick tetrad’ short form version
of the WAIS-R. The Block Design subtest was administered after the
tetrad, using the standardized and a nonstandardized (extreme)
presentation of the blocks. The nonstandard presentation was defined
as all the blocks having the full red side facing up. Results indicated the
method of presenting the blocks had negligible Impact on Block Design
performance. There was also no significant relationship found between
the short form estimate of Full Scale IQ and the difference between
indices of performance for standard versus nonstandard presentations.
However, these results are not conclusive, a number of pertinent factors
must still be considered. It was recommended that administrators
adhere to the standardized form of presentation when administering the blocks on the Wechsler scales of intelligence. | |
