New Zealand normative data on two subscales of the Stanford-Binet intelligence scale fourth edition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to undertake a brief review of the theoretical basis and the development of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition (Thorndike et al, 1986a), and to examine the applicability of two central subtests of the Scale, in a New Zealand context. In a partial replication of the study by de Lemos (1989) conducted in Australia, 50 children aged 7-8 years and 50 children aged 11-12 years were administered two of the subtests of the Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition, the Vocabulary subtest and the Quantitative subtest. The means of the Raw Scores and Standard Age Scores for each age group were calculated, as were Item difficulties. Comparisons were made with the original American results and with those obtained by de Lemos (1989). No major differences were found between the mean scores when compared with the American and the Australian standardized groups. However, the scoring criteria for the Vocabulary subtest failed to include some answers that are correct in a New Zealand context, and many misplaced items were evident in the Quantitative subtest, reflecting a significant cultural difference. It was suggested that using the Australian adaptation would overcome some of these difficulties. Additional scoring criteria for the Vocabulary subtest and an alternative ordering of the items for the Quantitative subtest were offered, to make the subtests more appropriate to a New Zealand setting.