THE HIERARCHICAL FACTOR STRUCTURE OF THE WECHSLER ADULT INTELLIGENCE SCALE

Abstract

S ummary . A Wherry‐Wherry (1969) hierarchical factor solution was obtained on WAIS subtest intercorrelations reported by Wechsler (1955, 1958) and Doppelt and Wallace (1955) for the following age groups: 16–17, 18–19, 25–34, 45–54, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74 and 75+. An hierarchical arrangement of abilities highly congruent with Vernon's (1950) paradigm of cognitive structure was obtained. A strong g‐factor and two major group factors were clearly evident at all age levels. The g‐factor was defined by substantial loadings from all subtests at all age levels. Removal of variance attributable to g produced almost complete bifurcation between verbal and performance subtests. Verbal subtests at all age levels defined v:ed; performance subtests at all age levels defined k:m. A slight but consistent decrease in g‐variance beyond the mid‐50s was evident. This gradual decrease in g‐variance was accompanied by a parallel increase in variance attributable to the two major group factors.