Related Experiment Videos
The Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence: predictive validity in a random sample
1Department of Psychology, University of Trondheim, Dragvoll, Norway. heland@alfa.avh.unit.no
Insights
The Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence showed low internal consistency and weak predictive validity for general intelligence in a Norwegian study. Its use as a screening tool for nonrisk populations is questionable.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Neuropsychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- The Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence is a non-verbal assessment tool used to measure infant cognitive abilities.
- Assessing early cognitive development is crucial for identifying potential developmental delays and informing interventions.
- The predictive validity of infant intelligence tests for later cognitive outcomes remains an area of active research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive validity of the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence.
- To assess the correlation between early Fagan Test scores and later cognitive assessments in a general population sample.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 196 infants (100 boys, 96 girls) from Norway.
- Infants were administered the Fagan Test between 7-9 months of age.
- At 5 years, participants completed the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) and selected Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) subtests.
Main Results:
- The Fagan Test exhibited very low internal consistency (alphas = .10 and .02).
- Fagan Test scores showed a significant but low mean correlation (r = .22) with WPPSI-Verbal IQ and ITPA Auditory Reception scores.
- No significant difference in predictive accuracy was observed based on the age of Fagan Test administration (before or after 8 months).
Conclusions:
- The Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence demonstrates poor internal consistency and limited predictive validity for later cognitive abilities in this sample.
- Findings question the utility of the Fagan Test as a reliable screening tool for infants in nonrisk populations.
- Further research is needed to validate infant cognitive assessments for predicting long-term intellectual development.
Abstract:
The predictive validity of The Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence was investigated in a random sample of 100 boys and 96 girls from two Norwegian cities. Infants were assessed on the Fagan test between the ages of 7 to 9 months. A follow-up at 5 years included the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) and three subtests from the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA). Low internal consistency of the Fagan test was found, with alphas of .10 and .02 for the two study sites. Fagan test-score correlated significantly with WPPSI-Verbal IQ and with scores on ITPA Auditory Reception for both samples, but the mean correlation was as low as .22. The prediction was not significantly higher for infants tested before 8 months of age than for those tested later. The study raises questions about use of the Fagan test as a screening tool in a nonrisk population.