Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities

Set of intelligence tests

Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities
Purpose	assess cognitive skills

The Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities is a set of intelligence tests first developed in 1977 by Richard Woodcock and Mary E. Bonner Johnson (although Johnson's contribution is disputed).^[1] It was revised in 1989, again in 2001, and most recently in 2014; this last version is commonly referred to as the WJ IV.^[2] They may be administered to children from age two right up to the oldest adults (with norms utilizing individuals in their 90s). The previous edition WJ III was praised for covering "a wide variety of cognitive skills".^[3]

Sections of the test

The Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory factors that this test examines are based on 9 broad stratum abilities, although the test is able to produce 20 scores^[4] only seven of these broad abilities are more commonly measured: comprehension-knowledge (Gc), fluid reasoning (Gf), short-term memory (Gsm), processing speed (Gs), auditory processing (Ga), visual-spatial ability (Gv), and long-term storage and retrieval (Glr). Comprehension-knowledge (Gc) is the ability to use previous experience, knowledge, and skills, which are valued by one’s culture, to communicate or reason in unique situations. Fluid reasoning (Gf) is defined as the ability to control one’s attention to solve novel problems, without the ability to rely on previous knowledge or schemas. Short-term memory (Gsm) is the ability to encode, maintain, and manipulate information while it is in one’s immediate consciousness. Processing speed (Gs) is the ability to execute simple and repetitive cognitive tasks rapidly and effortlessly. Auditory processing (Ga) is the ability to identify and process meaningful, nonverbal information in sound. Visual processing (Gv) is the ability to use simulated mental imagery to solve problems, and long-term storage and retrieval (Glr) is the ability to store, solidify, and then retrieve information over time. ^[5]^[4]

Published versions

The test is currently in its fourth edition, published by Riverside Insights.^[6] The Woodcock-Johnson III and IV are suitable for assessment of giftedness,^[7]^[8] and for referrals for special education services.^[9]^[10]

References

^ Mary E. Bonner Johnson, Appellant, v. Richard W. Woodcock, Appellee
^ Semrud-Clikeman, Margaret; Phyllis Anne Teeter Ellison (2009). Child Neuropsychology: Assessment and Interventions for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Springer. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-387-88962-7.
^ Hale, James B.; Catherine A. Fiorello (2004). School Neuropsychology: A Practitioner's Handbook. Guilford. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-59385-011-1.
^ ^a ^b Dombrowski, Stefan C.; Beaujean, A. Alexander; McGill, Ryan J.; Benson, Nicholas F. (2019). "The Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Achievement Provides Too Many Scores for Clinical Interpretation". Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. 37 (7): 819–836. doi:10.1177/0734282918800745. ISSN 0734-2829.
^ Bulut, Okan; Cormier, Damien C.; Aquilina, Alexandra M.; Bulut, Hatice C. (2021-07-07). "Age and Sex Invariance of the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities: Evidence from Psychometric Network Modeling". Journal of Intelligence. 9 (3): 35. doi:10.3390/jintelligence9030035. ISSN 2079-3200. PMC 8293399. PMID 34287315.
^ Schrank, Fredrick A.; Nancy Mather; Kevin S. McGrew (2014). Woodcock–Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities Examiner's Manual, Standard and Extended Batteries. Itasca: Riverside.
^ Gridley, Betty E.; Norman, Kimberly A.; Rizza, Mary G.; Decker, Scott L. (2003-01-01). "Assessment of Gifted Children with the Woodcock-Johnson III". WJ III Clinical Use and Interpretation. Practical Resources for the Mental Health Professional: 285–317. doi:10.1016/B978-012628982-4/50010-6. ISBN 9780126289824.
^ Pfeiffer, Steven I.; Yarnell, Jordy B. (2016-01-01). "Use of the Woodcock–Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities and Achievement in the Assessment for Giftedness". WJ IV Clinical Use and Interpretation: 291–316. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802076-0.00011-6. ISBN 9780128020760.
^ Spenceley, Laura M.; Wood, Whitney L. M.; Lovett, Benjamin J. (2022-05-04). "Using the Woodcock-Johnson IV tests of cognitive abilities to detect feigned ADHD". Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. 29 (3): 324–332. doi:10.1080/23279095.2020.1748631. ISSN 2327-9095. PMID 32320323.
^ Izumi, Jared T.; Burns, Matthew K.; Frisby, Craig L. (2019). "Differences in specific learning disability identification with the Woodcock-Johnson IV". School Psychology. 34 (6): 603–611. doi:10.1037/spq0000336. ISSN 2578-4226. PMID 31697146.