Surveys 354 nationally certified school psychologists on the perceived usefulness of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III) in general and profile analysis in particular. Practitioners rated the WISC-III as very useful for determining diagnosis and educational placement, but less useful for developing instructional strategies…

Provides a general review and discussion of studies relating to hemispheric asymmetry in normal and reading disabled populations and possible implications with regard to the meaningfulness of IQ test results. Emphasizes research suggesting that the verbal factors of the WISC-III are related to the length of the left temporal bank of the planum…

Reviews the articles in this issue of "School Psychology Quarterly" and briefly compares their methods for identifying profile patterns. Argues that subtest profile patterns on the existing generation of intelligence tests have modest reliability and weak relationships with achievement and diagnostic categorizations. (Contains 13…

The use of psychological and educational tests in World War I led to their adoption in schools for testing intelligence and achievement in order to classify students academically according to a national norm. After World War II, rapid changes in occupational and social structure demanded the education and identification of students for employment.…

Reviews the results of four studies included in this issue of "School Psychology Quarterly" which found all four cognitive profile reports lacking reliability, validity, or diagnostic utility. Argues that ipsative methods are inferior to normative methods in cognitive assessment. Recommends that psychologists eschew the application of…

The classification of intelligence has been a prime interest to many for over three-quarters of a century. The Wechsler scales of intelligence and the development of factor analysis have both played major roles in the shaping of psychometric thought. An examination of this joint history by means of a review of the factor analytic studies of the…

Given the number and variety of components underlying performance in two clusters of tests, i.e., embedded-figures and adjustment tests, an understanding of the high-order construct field dependence and of its relationship to other cognitive, personality, and performance dimensions requires the execution of comprehensive studies. (Author)

A survey of journal articles appearing in "Psychological Abstracts" from 1969-73 was made for purposes of identifying those psychological instruments that were most often used in research with adolescents (ages 13-19). (Author/DB)

A review of historical documents from the early 1900's in Los Angeles indicated that although mental testing played an important diagnostic role, it did not determine special class placement or establishment of special classes. Teacher referral was equally important in placement decisions. (Author/DB)

Critical thinking comprises the mental processes, strategies, and representations people use to solve problems, make decisions, and learn new concepts. The study of critical thinking combines the educational, philosophical, and psychological traditions of thought. R. Ennis offers a philosophical taxonomy suggesting that critical thinking results…

There are economic advantages in using microcomputers as automated testing stations for measuring aptitude and intelligence. Microcomputers also make it possible to expand and modify testing procedures for psychological functions included in conventional tests and to test psychological functions not generally assessed by conventional tests, such…

Examines accuracy evaluation in published testing programs of the following: J. M. Cattell; C. Spearman; A. Binet; L. M. Terman; R. M. Yerkes; E. L. Thorndike; and W. D. Scott. Developing community and consensus on testing required convergence between theorists and practitioners. (SLD)

This conference focuses upon various aspects of testing within a society, and upon technical advances in measurement. Philip H. DuBois's paper deals with China, a society dominated by tests, from 1115 BC--1905 AD. Donald W. Fiske discusses the effect of testing on the individual in modern America in his paper, "The Subject Looks at…

Recent theorists have begun to re-conceptualize the construct of "intelligence." This paper reviews recent theories of intelligence and indicates implications for practitioners, educators, and individuals. Theories and theorists discussed include the following: (1) Robert Sternberg has advanced the "triarchic theory" of…