The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and Naive versus Trained Examiners

Abstract

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test is marketed as an instrument suitable for use by persons without special training in testing. A total of forty children, ranging from retarded to gifted, were tested in counter-balanced order by eight elementary school teachers and by three school psychologists. No significant differences between the S’s mean I.Q.’s in the experienced versus the naive examiner’s data were found and there were no significant treatment effects, trial effects or interactions. However, differences in the test results for certain individuals were large suggesting the necessity for cautious use in the absence of corroborating data.