Verbal-Performance IQ Discrepancies on the Mainland Chinese Version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-RC)

Abstract

Verbal IQ (VIQ) minus Performance IQ (PIQ) discrepancies were examined for the mainland Chinese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-RC), using the urban standardization sample as the data source. At the .05 level of significance, a 14-point discrepancy was required; 18 points were needed at the .01 level. The occurrence of reliable discrepancies, regardless of direction, was not related meaningfully to gender or age, although significant relationships were obtained with years of education and intelligence level. When the Chinese sample was compared with American subjects from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) normative group, cross-cultural similarities and differences in VIQ-PIQ relationships were demonstrated. Interpretative strategies developed on the WAIS-R may not generalize to the WAIS-RC.