Processing speed as measured by the WISC-IV: Age and gender differences in performance and relations with achievement

With the most recent revision of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV; Wechsler, 2003), processing speed has garnered recognition as its own unique construct that plays a significant role in overall intelligence. How processing speed influences intelligence and the degree to which it may affect academic performance is unknown. Previous studies have compared processing speed tasks among different gender and age groups, studying how these demographic variables may influence performance. However, most studies have utilized research-driven tasks as the metric upon which to base their findings as opposed to more commonly used commercial tests. Using the processing speed tasks from the WISC-IV and selected subtests from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III; Wechsler, 2009), data were collected from 114 participants. Contrary to previous studies, there were no significant gender performance differences. Processing speed showed a strong relationship with achievement tasks such as the Numerical Operations subtest of the WIAT-III. Verbal abilities measured by the WISC-IV were moderately linked to processing speed, and no significant relationship was found between reading fluency and processing speed. Reservations and limitations are discussed in view of the possible improvement of the representativeness of the sample and other conditions for future studies. 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/1133 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/1133 PROCESSING SPEED AS MEASURED BY THE WISC-IV: AGE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERFORMANCE AND RELATIONS WITH ACHIEVEMENT A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY AMANDA E. TERRELL, M.A. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY JULY 25, 2014 APPROVED: Susan T. Li, PhD Catherine A. Miller, PhD