Working memory index as one of the main scale of Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence – fourth edition

Abstract

Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – fourth edition(WPPSI–IV) was created for children from 2,5 to 7,7 years. This test along with Full Scale contains following Primary Index Scales: Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Processing Speed, Working Memory. Working Memory Index included 2 novel subtests: Picture Memory and Zoo Locations, which were constructed for this version of Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. The aim of this study was to examine diagnostic potential of 2 subtests: Picture Memory and Zoo Locations. There were two stages of our study. At the first stage 73 children at age from 2,5 to 4 were tested by WPPSI–IV. Children completed 7 subtests: 1) Receptive Vocabulary, 2) Block Design, 3) Picture Memory, 4) Information, 5) Object Assembly, 6) Zoo Locations, 7) Picture Naming. The sample of the second stage included 71 children at the age from 5 to 7 years. The method contains 4 subtests: 2subtests (Arithmetic and Digit Span) from WISC (Russian version) and 2 subtests from WPPSI–IV (Picture Memory and Zoo Locations). There weren’t significant relations between 2 Working Memory subtests at the younger children sample. Zoo Locations scores correlated only with Block Design scores. At the elder sample we found out significant relations between verbal working memory subtests and visual working memory subtests.