Relationships between 8-Mo. Performance on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and 48-Mo. Intelligence and Concept Formation Scores

Abstract

Siu1imary.-6 measures of performance on the Bayley Scales of Mental and Motor Development at X mo. were correlated with 48-mo. Stanford-Binet IQs and the Graham-Ernhart Block Sort Test ( N = 384). All but one correlated significantly ( p < . O 5 ) with IQ (range . l 3 to .IS), while three were predictive of the Block Sort scores (range .I2 to .14). Scores derived from item analyses of the Bayley Scales and the 48-mo. tests also yielded significant correlations with later performances (range .17 to .28). Weighting items did not substantially increase relationships. These results are similar to previous data: there are statistically, but not practically, significant correlations between infant and preschool test performances.A major disappointment of the psychometric endeavor has been the inability of infant developmental tests to yield useful estimates of later incelleccual performance as measured by intelligence tests. Indeed, as Bayley ( 1965a) has pointed out, there is actually a negative, though insignificant correlation between scores obtained between 1 yr. of age and IQ scores ac adolescence. Even when the differences in age at which comparisons are made are shorter the results are not encouraging. For example, Catcell (1947) found chat measures taken at 3, 6, and 9 mo. correlated with 36-mo. Stanford-Binet scores .lo, .34, and .18, respectively. The older the child at the first test, the better is the prediction, and correlations increase with shorter periods of time between measures.This study is a report of an attempt to determine whether any portions of the NINDB Research form of the Bayley Infant Mental and Motor Scales ( 1965b) given at 8 mo. are associated with 48-mo. performance on [he Stanford-Binet (1960 Revisior,) and the Graham-Ernhart Block Sort Test (G-E BST) , a concept-formation tesr.