On the Meaning of the WISC-R Third Factor. Relations to Selected Neuropsychological Measures

Factor analyses of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (wisc-r) usually result in three factors reflecting verbal and perceptual abilities and Freedom from Distractibility. This study explores the nature of the wisc-r third factor by determining through combined factor analysis its relations with the constructs presumed to underlie selected neuropsychological measures. Results suggest that a variety of complex cognitive abilities may be related to Factor 3, including visuospatial organization, rapidly shifting mental operations on symbolic material, and sustained attention during complex cognitive processing. Results indicate that the abilities tapped by Factor 3 are more complex than is suggested by the name Freedom from Distractibility and that it may be more appropriate to refer to it by its number until the nature of the abilities it represents is more precisely ascertained.