David Wechsler's Intelligence Scale Jesse Jones Arith Wijesinha Jack Brown Troy Nicholson

Who was Wecshler? David Wechsler (January 12, 1896 – May 2, 1981) was a leading American psychologist. He developed well-known intelligence scales, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. His theory of intelligence was unique compared to others.

His Theory: David Wechslers viewed intelligence as the "global and aggregate capacity to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal effectively with the environment." Wechlers proposed that intelligence involves a greater range of mental abilities, mental abilities that were not only relevant to school but also to everyday life, he categorized these abilities in two types: verbal and performance abilities

Verbal Abilities: Wechslers described verbal verbal abilities as those that are entirely language dependent such as vocabulary and comprehension. These people generally end up in a career involving language and persuasive techniques such as politics & journalism.

Performance Abilities: He described performance abilities as those less dependent on language. For example using images to tell stories and using patterns. This specific type of intelligence enables intelligence to be expressed In a way that is not entirely dependent on the use of verbal skills and also involves physical attributes to show intelligence.

The 4 Components: Wecshler believed that both verbal and performance abilities are important components of intelligence and there are different ways in which intelligence can be expressed. This specific view is reflected in his intelligence test which contains both tests of verbal and performance abilities. Wecshler also suggested four other that behaviors should be present for any behavior to be described as intelligent.

The 4 Questions: Awareness - the behavior must be intentional and you must have awareness of its consequences. Goal Directed - the behavior must have a specific goal. Rational - the behavior must be appropriate in achieving your goal. Worthwhile - the action must be worthwhile or have been valuable to the goal,

Testing Intelligence: There are 4 areas in which Wecshler tested to try and prove his theory of intelligence. __________ Verbal Working Memory Perceptual Reasoning Processing Speed __________ Wechslers 'Verbal' and 'Working Memory' focus on his verbal type of intelligence whilst his 'Perceptual Reasoning' and 'Processing Speed' tests are aimed at the performance side.

Verbal Testing Wechslers verbal category of his testing contains 3 different tests. Information: a series of orally presented questions that aims at the subjects knowledge of common events, objects places and people. Similarities: questions requiring the subject to identify the similarities and differences between two or more objects. Vocabulary: questions that ask the subject for definitions of words which is designed to assess ability to learn, understand and use vocabulary.

Perceptual Reasoning Testing Wechslers perceptual reasoning category of his testing contains 3 different tests. Block Design: Consists of colored blocks which are put together assessed and matched up with the example given to the subject. Matrix Reasoning: Consists of a series of incomplete designs or patterns. The subject must choose the complete design from a series of patterns given. This is designed to test spacial awareness and reasoning. Visual Puzzles: selection of three puzzle pieces from a series of 6 that when combined form a complete puzzle that matches the example given.

Working Memory Testing Wechslers working memory category of his testing contains 2 different tests. Digit Design: Orally presented sequences of numbers that are to be orally repeated, forwards and backwards from memory. Arithmetic: Mental arithmetic problems that are presented and solved orally. Designed to assess abilities to reason using arithmetic.

Processing Speed Testing Wechslers working memory category of his testing contains 2 different tests. Digit Design: Orally presented sequences of numbers that are to be orally repeated, forwards and backwards from memory. Arithmetic: Mental arithmetic problems that are presented and solved orally. Designed to assess abilities to reason using arithmetic.