Further cautions in interpretation of comparisons between the WAIS-R and the Wechsler Memory Scale

Prifitera and Barley (1985) recently found that mean WAIS-R Full Scale IQ (FIQ) scores were significantly lower than mean Wechsler Memory Scale Memory Quotient (MQ) scores, calling for caution in interpreting differences between these measures. These findings are discussed in terms of the original standardization of the MQ, and cross-generational changes in measured intelligence. The more important issue, not addressed by Prifitera and Barley, is the clinical utility of making FIQ-MQ comparisons. This practice is criticized, and an alternative, memory component model is presented.