Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which index measures cognitive abilities less vulnerable to impairment in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale?

1. Full Scale IQ

2. General Ability Index

3. Processing Speed Index

4. Working Memory Index

The correct answer is: General Ability Index

The General Ability Index (GAI) is the correct choice because it is designed to provide a measure of cognitive abilities that are less sensitive to the effects of impairments that may be seen in areas such as processing speed or working memory. The GAI is derived from the verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning indices, which are more reflective of a person's overall intellectual capabilities when their processing speed may be compromised by factors such as anxiety, fatigue, or cognitive deficits. In contrast, the Full Scale IQ represents a comprehensive measure of all aspects of intelligence assessed in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, including processing speed and working memory, which can be more susceptible to impairment. The Processing Speed Index focuses specifically on how quickly an individual can process simple information, while the Working Memory Index assesses the ability to hold and manipulate information in mind. As such, these indices may be influenced more heavily by cognitive impairments, making the GAI a more stable measure of an individual's cognitive functioning in the presence of such challenges.