Identifying Sources of Bias in the WISC-R

Abstract

The use of intelligence tests, especially the WISC-R, has come under repeated scrutiny in recent years. Arguments for and against the use of WISC-R IQs have centered around the issue of bias. The issues of construct validity, predictive validity, and item content bias on the WISC-R were examined. Evidence regarding these biases was analyzed based on psychometric conceptions of test bias. Although this approach can lead to a narrow examination of possible bias in the WISC-R, it allows for objectivity based on empirical studies. Although all the evidence is not in, our review clearly suggests that the verdict of “not proven” is justified. Test bias has now become and will continue to be one of the major topics in psychometric research.