dr gary k banks phd, mclin psych, mba, maps principal clinical psychologist sydney counselling...

Intelligence Testing for Your Child

Dr Gary K Banks PhD, MClin Psych, MBA, MAPS

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Sydney Counselling CentreLevel 4, 7 Help St., CHATSWOOD NSW 2057

Ph: 02 9415 2223 Fax 02 9415 1361www.sydneycounselling.com.au

TestingA standardized measure of a sample of behaviour

This can take a variety of forms

Aim of sample is to tell us something beyond it

main classification: ability - maximum performance personality - typical performance

© Dr Gary K. BanksSydney Counselling Centre 2012

Types of TestingMeasure of individual differences in:

IntelligenceGeneral mental ability

Aptitude Potential More specific abilities

Achievement Knowledge and mastery

Personality Traits and characteristics © Dr Gary K. Banks

Sydney Counselling Centre 2012

High Reliability


Low Reliability


ValidityThe extent to which the testmeasures what it is suppose tomeasure

For example:Test for aggressionTest for identifying programmers

Criterion-related validityRelate scores to an independent

measure or criterion


A Short History of IQ tests (1)Binet 1904

Identify students who need extra help

Wanted objective measureTest of general mental ability

Verbal skills and abstract reasoning

Developed concept of Mental ageMeasure of mental ability

Problem with mental ageCA =16 MA = 14CA = 6 MA =4


A Short History of IQ tests (2)

Terman 1916Expanded and revised BinetIntroduced concept of IQ

IQ = MA/CA X 100Compare across age groups4/6 x 100 = 6714/16 x 100 = 87


A Short History of IQ tests (3)

Wechsler 1939Added performance itemsPicture arrangementPicture completionBlock designObject assembly

IQ score based on normal distribution


Distribution of IntelligenceThe Normal Distribution of IQ Scores

Largest frequency of scores, as well as average occurs at 100.Standard deviations of 15 points


An Operational Definition of Intelligence

Many models: Spearman (1927) single ‘g’ factorThurstone (1938) 7 abilities, no ‘g’Vernon (1950) A hierarchy of abilitiesHorn & Cattell (1967) Fluid and Crystallised abilitiesGuilford (1967) 120 separate abilities

“the aggregate or global capacity of the individual to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal effectively with his environment.”

(Wechsler, 1944)


Stanford-Binet Intelligence Tests1916 First Stanford revision of the Binet-Simon

Scales1937 - 2nd Revision - two versions: ‘L’ and the

‘M’1960 - 3rd Revision - one version: the ‘LM’1972 restandardisation of the LM.

Content unchanged, renorming showed IQ increases of >10pts

1986 (4th Revision)2003 (5th Revision) © Dr Gary K. Banks


Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)

Children and young people aged 6 to 16 years 1949 First edition1974 - WISC-R1991 - WISC-III2003 – WISC-IV


Achievement TestsFocus on the 3 r’s: (reading, writing, ‘rithmetic)

Screening Reading (decoding) Spelling (encoding) Maths reasoning

Full Review Reading Comprehension Numerical Operations Listening Comprehension Oral Expression Written Expression


Guidelines for Intelligence Assessments (1)

Intelligence tests scores should never be the only basis for determining a child’s abilities

Criterion scores (e.g. high IQs of 130 or 140 or conversely low scores of 70-80) should not be used to exclude individuals from programs

Bands of errors in test scores should be taken into account when determining inclusion into programs


Guidelines for Intelligence Assessments (2)

Intelligence test scores should also be used for educational & vocational planningAchievement testing not just aptitude testing should be includedReview of higher mental processes and critical thinkingEmotional/Personality status to be reviewed


Nature vs Nurture? (1)

Is intelligence inherited or a product of our environment?


Nature vs Nurture (2)

Early Intervention Programmes show long term benefits for groups with an intellectual disability (e.g. Fine, Swift & Beck, 1987) and groups of socially disadvantaged children (Woodhead, 1988).

Prenatal and early developmental influences, malnutrition and famine, family background, amount of schooling and psychosocial factors in the family home vary in their utility as predictors of IQ. © Dr Gary K. Banks


Nature vs Nurture (2)(i) Genetic FactorsBouchard & McGue (1981) looked at the correlations

between IQ's of persons having different degrees of kinship. They concluded that intelligence has a strong heritable component but what you make of your potential is environmentally determined.


No, its Nurturing Nature !Research suggests that Nature’s gifts can be nurtured

into talents:


Restricted Availability of Tests

to prevent familiarity resulting in invalidity

to ensure qualified examiners to prevent abuse

to maximise standardisation of delivery

to maximise integrity of interpretation process


SummaryReports and Fees

Health Fund RebatesSchool LiaisonG.P. LiaisonPsychological SupportA Final Word...


A Final Word...

‘...Intelligence scores should not be used to make decisions about people. People make decisions - tests are just one source of information that assist in the decision making...’ (Kaufman & Harrison, 1986).


dr gary k banks phd, mclin psych, mba, maps principal clinical psychologist sydney counselling...

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