The Influence of Verbal Mediation on Matrix Reasoning

The influence of verbal mediation on tasks of problem solving and abstract reasoning has been wellestablished in the literature. The Matrix Reasoning subtest of the WAIS-IV purports to measure perceptual reasoning and concept formation and is presented in a visuospatial format. Verbal mediation is not considered when interpreting MR test results, yet the literature has demonstrated that verbal mediation and reasoning is often utilized in similar tasks. The present study sought to examine the influence of verbal mediation on the MR subtest by correlating participants’ MR item scores with their scaled scores on the WAIS-IV Similarities subtest, as well as their Standard scores on the D-KEFS Verbal Fluency: Letter and Category subtest. Participants were 43 consecutive patients (23 male, 20 female) with a mean age of 30.35 years referred to a university doctoral clinical psychology training clinic for neuropsychological evaluation over a two-year period. Analysis using point-biserial correlations revealed that four MR items were significantly correlated with Verbal Fluency: Letter, while three MR items were significantly correlated with Verbal Fluency: Category. Six MR items were significantly correlated with the WAIS-IV Similarities subtest. Items dealing with the constructs of color and stimulus orientation were consistently correlated with verbal reasoning, suggesting that these constructs require more purposeful and deliberate thought, thereby necessitating higher levels of verbal mediation. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/209 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/209 THE INFLUENCE OF VERBAL MEDIATION ON MATRIX REASONING A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY VIRGINIA M.M. KLEMAN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY MARCH 29, 2011 APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE: BJ Scott, Psy.D. , Chair Shawn Davis, Ph.D., Reader PROFESSOR AND DEAN: Michel Hersen, Ph.D., ABPP Verbal Mediation of Matrix Reasoning 2 Table of