Stanford-Binet IV intelligence scale: Is its structure supported by LISREL congeneric factor analyses?

Abstract

Boyle ( Personality and Individual Differences, 10, 709–715, 1989b) conducted an iterative principal factoring and oblique rotation of the standardisation sample ( n = 5013) for the revised Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Fourth Edition). Nevertheless, because of the exploratory methodology employed, the results were problematic. Keith, Cool, Novak, White and Pottebaum ( Journal of School Psychology, 26, 253–274, 1988) had previously carried out a confirmatory factor analysis and had concluded that the results supported the four Area dimensions (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract/Visual Reasoning, and Short-Term Memory) in the new instrument. As congeneric factor analysis via LISREL has not yet been performed, the present paper presents a LISREL reanalysis of the subtest intercorrelations provided in the Stanford-Binet IV Technical Manual. In replicating the confirmatory analysis of Keith et al., it was found that some of the subtests were loaded differently from that previously reported, although each Area dimension was supported strongly by congeneric factor analysis. Even so, the magnitude of the intercorrelations between the four Area dimensions was quite high, suggesting that intellectual abilities are influenced strongly by g.