The validity of two-and four-subtest short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -Revised (WAIS-R) was investigated using a sample of 45 male and 45 female psychiatric patients. Both short forms were highly correlated with Full Scale IQ, although there was a mean IQ overestimate. Forty-two percent of the subjects were placed in different IQ categories by SF2, whereas a 40% misclassification rate occurred with SF4. SF2 and SF4 estimates were within the 95% confidence limits of Full Scale IQ for 62% and 72% of the subjects, respectively. Shortened administration time reduced the accuracy of SF2, but did not influence SF4 IQ estimates. SF4 validity was better for females than for males.A number of recent investigations have examined short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale -Revised (WAIS-R; Wechsler, 1981). Judging by the number of publications, short forms which eliminate subtests are somewhat more popular than those which retain all of the subtests but eliminate items (Adams, Smigielski, & Jenkins, 1984;Dinning & Kraft, 1983;Satz & Mogel, 1962;Silverstein, 1982b). Silverstein (1982a) has provided tables for estimating Full Scale IQs (FSIQ) for a two-subtest short form consisting of Vocabulary and Block Design (SF2) and a four-subtest short form consisting of Vocabulary, Arithmetic, Block Design, and Picture Arrangement (SF4). Using data from the WAIS-R test manual, Silverstein's criteria for the selection of these short forms was primarily validity (i.e., those combinations of subtests having the highest correlations with FSIQ). Although SF4 was not the most valid tetrad of subtests, it nevertheless possessed high validity (r = .93) and had a history of clinical use with the WISC-R (Kaufman, 1976) and the WA1S (Doppelt, 1956;Silverstein, 1985). Cyr and Brooker (1984) have also addressed the selection of WAIS-R short forms. Using Wechsler's (1981) data, these authors averaged validity and reliability coefficients to arrive at the best short form combinations. Cyr and Brooker corroborate the Vocabulary-Block Design combination as the best dyad, although their best tetrad consisted of Vocabulary, Block Design, Arithmetic, and Similarities.Portions of this paper were presented at the Canadian Psychological Association's forty-sixth annual convention,

Two studies investigated the interrater reliability and concurrent validity of tests of rapidly alternating movement. Study I examined the interrater reliability of three different tests, "finger tapping" to the adjacent thumb, "table tapping," and "hand to thigh" alternating movements. Using normal participants the results indicated poor interrater agreement for the "hand to thigh" test and modest relationship for both types of finger tapping. However, for each test the number of recorded repetitions differed significantly between raters. Study 2 examined the concurrent validity of two mechanical measures of finger tapping. The scores of 36 normal participants was compared using a mechanical digital counter and a calculator. Results indicated that the use of the calculator as a counter was highly related to the results with a mechanical digital counter. Conclusions suggested the use of a mechanical apparatus is more reliable than human observations. In addition, the use of an inexpensive apparatus will produce results similar to the manual finger tapping apparatus commonly used in neuropsychological batteries.

An investigation was conducted in which 699 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 33 live, interactive telecourses were asked to report their (1) telecourse facet satisfaction (satisfaction with the telecourse instruction/ instructor, technology, and logistic/management), (2) demographic characteristics (age, gender, personal income, and socioeconomic status), and (3) experience with televised courses (number of prior telecourses they had completed). Results showed that, among the demographic variables, gender reliably predicted student satisfaction with the logistic/management aspects of the telecourses. That is, male students reported being significantly more satisfied than female students with these aspects of the courses. Moreover, age, personal income, and socioeconomic status were unrelated to facet satisfaction. Finally, greater telecourse experience was significantly associated with lower degrees of instruction/instructor satisfaction. Practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.

Studies of the factor structure of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery for Older Children (HRNB-C) have reported solutions ranging from 5 to 7 constructs. The current study examined the underlying factor structure of the HRNB-C using only tests from the Battery itself with 800 learning disabled children. The results showed a four factor solution to be the most heuristic. These dimensions were identified as Speed of Operation, Tactile-Motor Integration, Attention, and Visuo-Spatial Memory. When ancillary tests are excluded it is argued that four factors provide the best description of the underlying structure of the HRNB-C.

This study examined the relationship between perinatal risk factors and developmental functioning for a referred population of 216 children. A canonical correlation analysis indicated that 31% of the variability in developmental information could be predicted from perinatal events. The results were interpreted as lending support to a multivariate link between perinatal complications and developmental functioning for referred children.