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Role of intelligence tests in speech/language referrals
R Sparks1, L Ganschow, A Thomas
1Department of Education, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, Ohio 45233-1670, USA.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|August 1, 1996
Summary
This study found that verbal intelligence, measured by the WISC-R Verbal IQ, is significantly related to various oral and written language skills in students. Receptive vocabulary and oral language were particularly strong predictors of verbal IQ.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Linguistics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) Verbal IQ is a key measure of cognitive ability.
- Understanding the relationship between verbal intelligence and language skills is crucial for educational and clinical interventions.
- Previous research suggests a strong link between verbal IQ and language proficiency, but specific contributions of different language domains require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between the WISC-R Verbal IQ and various measures of oral and written language.
- To determine which specific language skills contribute most significantly to Verbal IQ scores.
- To explore potential grade-level differences in these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Correlational analyses were performed on data from 190 students referred to a private educational clinic.
- Verbal IQ scores were correlated with measures of oral language, written language, receptive language, reading comprehension, and basic reading skills.
- Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the proportion of variance in Verbal IQ explained by these language measures.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were observed between Verbal IQ and all language measures, with coefficients ranging from .36 (Basic Reading Skills) to .69 (Receptive Vocabulary).
- Multiple regression analysis revealed that the five language measures collectively explained 59% of the variance in Verbal IQ.
- Oral Language, Receptive Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension emerged as significant contributors to Verbal IQ.
Conclusions:
- Verbal IQ is substantially related to a range of oral and written language abilities in students.
- Receptive Vocabulary, Oral Language, and Reading Comprehension are key components influencing a student's Verbal IQ.
- Findings support the importance of comprehensive language assessments in understanding students' cognitive profiles and informing educational and speech-language referral practices.