WISC-R deviation quotients vs. traditional IQs: An examination of the standardization sample and some implications for score interpretation

Abstract

Gutkin (1978, 1979) presented formulae for calculating factorially pure deviation quotients, with a X of 100 an S D of 15, for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) (Wechsler, 1974). Using the standardization sample from the WISC-R, statistics were calculated to determine the impact of substituting these deviation quotients for the traditional verbal and performance IQs. The results indicated that despite very high correlations between the measures, changes of potential diagnostic significance occurred in the scores of over 50% of the sample (N = 2200). The potential utility of the factorially pure deviation quotients is discussed. A table is presented to facilitate the quick translation of scaled scores into these deviation quotients.