An Exploratory Study of the Use of the Wechsler Digit–Symbol Incidental Learning Procedure with the WAIS-IV

Abstract

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) does not include the optional Incidental Learning procedure for the Digit–Symbol subtest (now simply called Coding) that had been available in the WAIS-Third Edition (WAIS-III). However, the procedure itself has been shown to have some utility in assessment of incidental memory processes. The current study of a mixed clinical outpatient sample (n = 75) sought to identify salient characteristics of the Incidental Learning tasks as applied to WAIS-IV Coding. Findings showed that the Pairing procedure, when applied to the WAIS-IV, has different characteristics than it did with the WAIS-III; it is more difficult overall, and different items tend to be more prominently recalled than others. The Free Recall procedure for the WAIS-IV is comparable to the WAIS-III version in overall difficulty. Implications and implementation of the current findings are discussed.

Key words:

• error analysis
• incidental learning
• memory
• WAIS-IV

Notes

*Full-Scale IQ (FSIQ) was estimated using either the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (n = 53; Wechsler, 2001) or the Wide Range Achievement Test-Third Edition Reading subtest (n = 22; Wilkinson, 1993).

†Diagnoses are the etiologies determined to be the causes of the cognitive difficulties that prompted the referrals. Total percentages add up to greater than 100 because 30% of the WAIS-III group and 20% of the WAIS-IV group had more than one etiology.

SS = Scaled Score; IL = Incidental Learning; IL-Pairing consistency = items consistently correct across both rows.

Note. Items 3, 4, and 5have no matched (“paired”) target and therefore the “Intrusion-Pair” error type is not applicable to these items.

Total % errors = proportion of all errors committed.

IL = Digit–Symbol Incidental Learning; SS = Scaled Score; P = Pairing; FR = Free Recall.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

IL = WAIS-IV Digit–Symbol Incidental Learning; CVLT-II = California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition; WAIS-IV = Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

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