Principal Components Analysis of the General Purpose Abbreviated Battery of the Stanford-Binet, Fourth Edition, for Young Children

Abstract

With increased emphasis on preschool assessment, the technology and theoretical basis of intelligence measures suitable for this age group is of increasing importance. One method of examining the appropriateness of preschool measures involves verification of the factor structure of the measure as an indication of construct validity. Factor analytic studies of the Binet 4 have not resulted in consistent findings, and more specifically, the number of factors identified have demonstrated variability across age levels. In that many clinicians use abbreviated forms of the Binet 4, this study conducted a principal component analysis of the General Purpose Abbreviated Battery (GPAB) for a sample of 107 children (ages 2-7 years) who were referred for evaluation to a community-based pediatric psychoeducational outpatient clinic. The structure of the GPAB resulted in a single general intelligence component that mitigates against Binet Area Score interpretation for this age group when the GPAB is used. Implications of previous research as well as the results of this study are discussed relative to the interpretation and utility of the GPAB with preschool and young children.