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The hierarchical factor structure of the British ability scales
Author(s) -
Wallbrown Fred H.,
McLoughlin Caven S.,
Elliott Colin D.,
Blaha John
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(198401)40:1<278::aid-jclp2270400152>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - psychology , factor (programming language) , variance (accounting) , age groups , recall , g factor , perception , developmental psychology , statistics , demography , cognitive psychology , mathematics , physics , accounting , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , sociology , computer science , magnetic field , business , programming language
Wherry and Wherry (1969) hierarchical factor solutions were obtained on scale intercorrelations for three age groups (5:0 to 7:11, 8:0 to 13:11, 14:0 to 16:11) included in the standardization sample for the British Ability Scales. The ability hierarchy consisted of a general ( g ) factor and five primary factors at each of the three age levels. Three primary factors were evident at all three age levels, i. e., verbal ability ( v ), spatial‐perceptual ability ( k ), and visual recall ( VR ). A naming ( N ) factor was obtained at the youngest age level (5:0 to 7:11) and a perceptual speed ( ks ) factor was obtained for the two older age groups (8:0 to 13:11 and 14:0 to 16:11). A short‐term memory ( STM ) factor was obtained for the 14:0 to 16:11 age group and an achievement ( A ) factor was evident for the two younger age groups (5:0 to 7:11 and 8:0 to 13:11). After the extraction of factors most scales retained greater reliable specific variance than typically is found in ability measures. This suggests greater confidence in the specific interpretation of the individual scales than for other test batteries.