Changer memory scale
The Wechsler Memory Scale ( WMS ) is used in neuropsychological diagnostics to measure various memory functions . It is an original English-language single test procedure according to David Wechsler , which is currently available in the fourth version ( WMS-IV ) and has been adapted for the German-speaking area.
overview
| Publishing year | Name of the test battery | abbreviation | literature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Changer memory scale | WMS | Wechsler, 1945 |
| 1987 | Changer Memory Scale - Revised Edition | WMS-R | Wechsler, 1987 |
| 1997 | Changer Memory Scale - Third Edition | WMS-III | Wechsler, 1997 |
| 2000 | German adaptation of WMS-R with its own standardization | WMS-R (German) | Härting et al., 2000 |
| 2009 | Changer Memory Scale - Fourth Edition | WMS-IV | Wechsler, 2009 |
| 2012 | German adaptation of WMS-IV with its own standardization | WMS-IV (German) | Petermann & Lepach, 2012 |
application
The test procedure offers a broad field of application for psychologists and doctors in psychiatry, neurology, education, forensics, counseling or other clinical areas. It is also suitable for investigating research-related issues and is primarily used in clinical neuropsychological diagnostics to measure various memory functions and performance. Both the American predecessor (Wechsler, 2009) and the current German-language fourth version ( Petermann & Lepach, 2012) were designed to be compatible with other test procedures, such as B. with the WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition) can be used.
WMS-IV vs. WMS-R
The WMS-IV is a revision of the third American version (WMS-III; Wechsler, 1997) and, in Germany, the Wechsler memory test - revised version (WMS-R; Härting et al., 2000).
The WMS-IV contains a total of seven sub-tests: three sub-tests have been taken over from the WMS-III (logical memory, verbal pair recognition and visual reproduction) and four new ones have been added (cognitive short screening, pattern positioning, spatial addition and symbol sequences). Less proven or outdated subtests and overlapping subtests for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV, Wechsler, 2008; Petermann, 2012) have been removed. Four of the sub-tests (Logical Memory, Verbal Pair Recognition, Pattern Positioning and Visual Reproduction) are divided into two phases: Immediate reproduction (I) and retrieval after delay (II) each after about 20 to 30 minutes. Some subtests also contain optional tasks that are intended to provide additional information.
The newly adapted German version of the WMS-IV (Petermann & Lepach, 2012) covers an age range from 16 to 90 years, offering two different test batteries: one includes adults aged 16 to 69 years (adults I) and a slightly shorter one The version is designed for older test persons from 65 to 90 years (adults II). This shorter version was adapted for older people in order to shorten the test duration, reduce symptoms of fatigue and thus simplify the recording of the psychometric functions. In addition to the survey of the memory performance, the WMS-IV with the cognitive short screening (KKS) contains the possibility to assess the cognitive status.
Description of the WMS-IV (German) scales
| Subtest | abbreviation | Age range | Brief description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brief cognitive screening | KKS | 16-90 | This optional screening examines various cognitive functions in the form of simple requirements for temporal orientation, mental control, clock drawing, casual remembering, inhibition and language production. |
| Logical memory I | LG I | 16-90 | This sub-test gathers free story rendering. Two short stories are read aloud. For older adults, the first story is presented twice before the second comes. The stories should be retold immediately after listening. |
| Logical memory II | LG II | 16-90 | In the case of delayed retrieval, the long-term memory for the stories is queried in free form and as recognition. The test participant should first retell both stories and then receive “yes or no” questions for recognition. |
| Verbal pair recognition I | VP I | 16-90 | This sub-test examines verbal pair association learning. After 10 or 14 word pairs have been read out, the test participant is always given the first term and should be supplemented with the second term of the word pair. The word pair list is practiced over four rounds. |
| Verbal pair recognition II | VP I | 16-90 | After a delay, the long-term memory for the word pairs is tested with cues and recognition. Optionally, free retrieval can also take place. First of all, what is missing is asked based on the first words of the couples. In the recognition, the correct word pairs should then be recognized on the basis of a selection. In the optional free retrieval, the test participant is asked to name as many words in the word pairs as possible. |
| Positioning the pattern I | MP I | 16-69 | This sub-test records the visual-spatial memory on the basis of abstract material. The participant is presented with a grid with 4 to 8 patterns for 10 seconds. Then the patterns should be selected from a selection of cards and placed correctly. |
| Positioning the pattern II | MP II | 16-69 | In retrieval after a delay, the visual-spatial long-term memory is checked in free retrieval and through recognition. First the pattern arrangements seen in MP I should be placed in the grid again and then 2 correct pattern placements should be recognized from various pattern arrangements. |
| Visual reproduction I | VW I | 16-90 | This sub-test measures the memory for non-verbal visual stimuli. A total of five samples are presented for 10 seconds each and should then be traced directly after the presentation. |
| Visual reproduction II | VW II | 16-90 | In retrieval after a delay, the visual-spatial long-term memory is checked in free retrieval and through recognition. Optionally, the badge performance (copying) can be checked. First, the patterns from VW I should be drawn in any order. For recognition, the patterns must be selected from a selection of six patterns each. Optionally, the patterns should be copied from the template. |
| Spatial addition | RE | 16-69 | This sub-test claims the visual-spatial working memory on the basis of a visual addition. For each task, two grids with blue and red circles are shown for five seconds. According to certain rules, positions must then be summarized or subtracted when the circles are displayed in the grid (2 blue circles become white; red circles are not taken into account). |
| Symbol sequences | SF | 16-90 | In this sub-test, the sequential visual working memory is recorded using unknown abstract symbols. An ascending sequence of symbols is briefly presented in each case, which is then to be reproduced using a selection. |
execution
The duration of the WMS depends on many factors, such as: B. the skills and experience of the test person, medication, motivation and attitude to the test. The experience of the test leader with regard to the implementation and maintenance of a constructive test atmosphere also plays a decisive role here. In general, the implementation time (WMS-IV) averages around 90 to 120 minutes. Group testing is not possible, as the tests within the test battery are carried out verbally with the test subjects. The subtests of the WMS-IV (German) place very different demands on their presentation and response. There are, however, basic rules for performing the subtests (e.g. start and termination criteria, reversal rules, time limits, etc.). Many experienced users are familiar with this principle from previous versions of the test and other Wechsler tests, but first-time users should practice it.
Normalization
Depending on the test version, the WMS-IV (German) test battery was standardized separately for an age range from 16 to 69 years (adults I) and for the age range between 65 and 90 years (adults II) for a total of 14 age groups. Other factors such as B. Education was taken into account. In order to test the differentiation ability of the WMS-IV (German), various clinical disorders were included in the tests: ADHD , depression , substance abuse , various brain damage ( stroke , traumatic brain injury , epilepsy , neuronal disorder, slight intellectual disability , schizophrenia and Dementia ( Alzheimer's , Korsakov ).
Evaluation objectivity
The manual and the stimulus books of the WMS-IV (German) contain precise specifications and instructions which, if adhered to, enable a high degree of standardization. Interrater matches of 96% and 97% were found for the subtests that require judge decisions (e.g., clock drawing and visual rendering) (Pearson, 2009). Overall, a high level of implementation and evaluation objectivity can be assumed.
Reliability
The WMS-IV (German) showed moderate to high levels of reliability for most of the main sub-tests. The average retest reliabilities can be rated as high with values of .74 to .98 for the subtests in the adult I test version and values of .74 to .97 for the subtests in the adult II test version. The highest reliability values were found for VP I (.94 / .92), for VW I (.92 / .94) and II (.98 / .96) and for SF (.90 / .91). With a range from .91 to .96 for the adult I trial versions and a range from .93 to .97 for the adult II trial version, the average retest reliability for the indices can also be rated as high.
Construct validity
The WMS-IV (German) also makes use of various aspects of memory within the scales. z. For example, the sub-tests logical memory and verbal pair recognition both belong to the auditory memory scale, but measure this in completely different ways. As expected, there are moderate correlation coefficients. High correlations between individual subtests are not expected. Some moderate correlations between the scales are also plausible, as there are similarities in the addressed modality or in the type of presentation or items. MP I and II (record components of visual long-term memory) and RE (record components of visual working memory ) have e.g. B. similar visual forms of presentation, both require visuospatial memory skills, require the insertion of cards in the display grid and address both inhibition skills. Such cross-scale similarities lead to a poorer factor-analytical delimitation of the individual scales.
Advantages and disadvantages
The following advantages are possible:
- The test detects clinically relevant memory disorders.
- Attention is also recorded.
- It enables a distinction between dementia and depression.
The following disadvantages are possible:
- The test is language-heavy.
- It is conditionally suitable for recording the healthy mnestic performance range.
See also
- Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - III
- Hamburg-Wechsler intelligence test for adults
- Hamburg-Wechsler intelligence test for children
Sources and individual references
- ↑ Wechsler, 2009
- ↑ a b Information from the publisher (in English)
- ↑ Petermann & Lepach, 2012
- ↑ a b Press release WMS-IV (PDF; 175 kB)
- ↑ a b Article on the WMS-IV (PDF; 154 kB)
- ↑ a b Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation
literature
- C. Härting, H.-J. Markowitsch, H. Neufeld, P. Calabrese, K. Deisinger, J. Kessler: Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised Edition, German Edition. Manual. Huber, Bern 2000.
- D. Changer: Changer Memory Scale. Manual. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, TX 1945.
- D. Wechsler: Wechsler Memory Scale - Revised Edition. Manual. The Psychological Corporation, New York 1987.
- D. Changer: Changer Memory Scale - Third Edition. Manual. The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, TX 1997.
- D. Wechsler: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition. Pearson, San Antonio, TX 2008.
- D. Changer: Changer Memory Scale - Fourth Edition. Manual. Pearson Assessment, San Antonio, TX 2009.
- D. Wechsler: WMS-IV technical and interpretive manual. Pearson, San Antonio, TX 2009.
- F. Petermann (Ed.): Wechsler Adult Intelligence Sale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Pearson Assessment, Frankfurt 2012.
- F. Petermann, AC Lepach: Wechsler Memory Scale - Fourth Edition, German Edition. Manual. Pearson Assessment, Frankfurt 2012.