David Wechsler

David Wechsler was an American psychologist whose intelligence scales assessed cognitive ability across age groups. His tests introduced a widely used approach combining verbal and performance measures.

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Intelligence quotient: A score expressing cognitive test performance relative to an age-based or population norm. Wechsler’s scales transformed IQ assessment by replacing the older mental-age ratio with deviation scores.
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale: A standardized intelligence test for adults, revised periodically and commonly abbreviated WAIS. It is Wechsler’s best-known adult assessment, first published in 1955.
Bellevue Hospital: A major New York City hospital where David Wechsler worked as chief psychologist. Wechsler developed his adult intelligence scale while serving patients at Bellevue.
Clinical psychology: The field that assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders using psychological methods. Wechsler designed his scales for clinical use, not only for ranking academic ability.
Psychometrics: The study and practice of measuring psychological attributes through tests and statistical models. Wechsler’s scales are landmark instruments in psychological measurement.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children: A standardized intelligence test designed to assess cognitive abilities in children, commonly abbreviated WISC. Wechsler adapted his adult testing approach for school-age children.
United States Army Alpha: A group-administered intelligence test developed for assessing literate recruits during World War I. Its group format differed from the individually administered assessment Wechsler later favored.
Intellectual disability: A condition involving significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, originating during development. Wechsler scores became one part of assessment, although diagnosis also requires evidence about adaptive functioning.
Standardized testing: Testing administered and scored according to consistent procedures so results can be compared. Standardized administration and norms let Wechsler scores compare individuals with reference groups.
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence: A standardized intelligence test designed for young children, commonly abbreviated WPPSI. This scale extends the Wechsler test family to preschool and early-primary ages.