WISC IV psychometric profiles of 60 gifted children

Purpose. - This work deals with gifted children psychometric profiles obtained using WISC IV test. We are particularly interested in the interpretability of the total IQ and, therefore, in the supposed heterogeneity between the scores. On the other hand, we are questioning the existence of a specific profile for these children. Finally, on a theoretical level, we want to know whether the data collected from this specific population of children remain compatible with the idea of the variability of g factor's weight from level to level of intelligence. Method. - The 60 children, aged 6 to 13, participating in this research were identified on the basis of a prior assessment to WISC III (total IQ equal to or greater than 130). In each, the WISC IV (2005) was administered. Results. - The results showed heterogeneity in the profiles that results in a non-interpretability of the total IQ of 87 % of children. On the other hand, 77 % of children have a Verbal Index superior to other indices. In terms of correlations, the results show no link between the four WISC IV indexes and very few links between the different subtests that make up the instrument. Conclusion. - Our results call into question the issue of identification of giftedness which is based on a single digit IQ >= 130. It is suggested that the analysis of profile is more relevant than the mere evocation of one total IQ. The idea of a specific profile is still difficult to confirm because of possible bias in recruitment. From a theoretical point of view, the lack of connections between different subtests allows to cast doubt over g factor in this population. (C) 2011 Societe francaise de psychologie. Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.