However, such a postulation does not appear to have ever been tested empirically, despite the fact that it has largely become clinical lore (Fruchter & Fruchter, 1973 Glasser & Zimmerman, 1967 Halstead, 1944 Whimbey & Whimbey, 1975). Wechsler (1939, 1958 see also Matarazzo, 1972) contended that, beyond an average level of memory span performance, there was little in the way of benefits with respect to intellectual functioning. Furthermore, the reputation of memory span as an indicator of intellectual functioning has varied substantially over the years, from a poorly regarded cognitive ability considered seriously for exclusion from the Wechsler scales (Matarazzo, 1972) to a construct that may be isomorphic, or nearly so, with general intelligence (g Colom, Rebollo, Palacios, Juan-Espinosa, & Kyllonen, 2004). The assessment of individual differences in memory span has a long history (Blankenship, 1938 Dempster, 1981). вЂњMemory span for digits has been underrated as a psychometric test by most clinical psychologists.вЂќ -(Jensen, 1970, p. If Digit Span were observed to share a nonlinear association with g, as contended by Wechsler, then perhaps it would be appropriate to consider substituting it for another subtest, one that has a respectable association with g across the whole spectrum of ability. From an applied clinical perspective, it was considered important to address this question, because Digit Span is one of the 10 core subtests within the Wechsler scales that are used to estimate an individualвЂ™s FSIQ. Either position would be an important one to demonstrate empirically. By contrast, if Digit Span scores were observed to share a nonlinear (quadratic and negative) association with g, then WechslerвЂ™s position would be substantiated. If Digit Span scores were observed to share a meaningful and largely linear association with g, then the relatively poor view of the Digit Span test within the clinical assessment community would need to be reconsidered. The association between memory span, as measured by Digit Span from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV Wechsler, 2008a), and g. Keywords: memory span, Digit Span, general intelligence, working memory The results are discussed in light of the increasing evidence across multiple domains that memory span plays an important role in intellectual functioning. Thus, the commonly held position that Digit Span performance beyond an average level is not indicative of greater intellectual functioning was not supported. Based on linear and nonlinear contrast analyses of means, as well as linear and nonlinear bifactor model analyses, all 3 Digit Span indicators (LDSF, LDSB, and LDSS) were found to exhibit primarily linear associations with FSIQ/g. Consequently, the purpose of this investigation was to test WechslerвЂ™s contention on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition normative sample (N в«Ѕ 1,800 ages: 16 вЂ“ 69). Although WechslerвЂ™s position does not appear to have ever been tested empirically, it does appear to have become clinical lore.

In fact, Wechsler (1958) contended that beyond an average level of Digit Span performance, there was little benefit to possessing a greater memory span. Historically, Digit Span has been regarded as a relatively poor indicator of general intellectual functioning (g). Pearson Clinical & Talent Assessment, San Antonio, Texas This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.Дigit Span Is (Mostly) Related Linearly to General Intelligence: Every Extra Bit of Span Counts Gilles E. This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

Average digit span