Just Say No to Subtest Analysis: A Critique on Wechsler Theory and Practice

Abstract

Wechsler's beliefs about the nature of human intelligence and its measurement have profoundly influenced contemporary theory and practice. He encouraged interpretations not only of more global intellective indices, such as IQ but encouraged as well the search for pathognomonic meaning in patterns of underlying, more specific, subtest scores. This article examines the evidence that concerns the interpretation of Wechsler and similar tests as measures of specific rather than global ability. Popular practices that involve use of subtests for both intraindividual and interindividual assessment are viewed in the light of empirical research, and recommendations are presented.