Wechsler Memory Scale III Overview
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ScribdTranslationsWechsler Memory Scale III Overview
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ScribdTranslationsWECHSLER MEMORY SCALE - III
CHAPTER 1. THEORETICAL BASIS OF THE TEST
The Wechsler Memory Scale was designed with the purpose of obtaining a
quick, simple, and practical memory test and shows an approach
very similar to intelligence tests, where the result is an IQ
of Memory. This instrument represented an advance in the field of
psychological and neuropsychological measurement and evaluation, but this first
version, was not without controversies.
It was limited to assessing episodes of immediate memory. Likewise, the
clinical reliability of the Memory Coefficient was commonly over
represented in the cut-off points, and they diminished the necessary importance to
the different learning deficiencies (Tulsky, et al., 2002). In the year 1987
the Wechsler Memory Scale was revised in its WMS-R version and in said
On this occasion, the database of regulations was improved and the normal delay was added.
that should be given under the conditions to remember, and differentiated between the
visual memory of auditory memory.
It is important to remember that it was also in the late 80s and early 90s,
there were greater advances in neuropsychological evaluation and in the
memory evaluation. It is worth mentioning that currently, there is
a fourth edition of the scale, WMS-IV, was published
recently in the year 2009.
CHAPTER 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT
1. TECHNICAL DATA.
Name Wechsler Memory Scale - III.
Original name Wechsler Memory Scale – Third Edition.
Author David Wechsler.
Origin The Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, Texas
(1997).
Spanish adaptation Jaime Pereña, Nicolás Seisdedos, Sara Corral, David
Arribas, Pablo Santamaria, Manuel Sueiro.
R&D Department of TEA Ediciones, S. A. (2004).
Application Individual.
Type of administration Adults.
Application ages 16 to 89 years.
(Main tests)
- Textos I y II
Word pairs I and II
Letters and numbers
Faces I and II
Subtests of the instrument - Scenes I and II
Spatial localization
(Optional tests)
Information and guidance
Word lists I and II
Mental Control
Digits
Drawings I and II
Administration time 1 hour and 30 minutes for the complete application of the scale and 30
the main tests in 35 minutes.
Purpose Evaluation of different memory functions.
short and medium term.
Technical manual
Application and Scoring Manual
Two notebooks of elements
Required materials for Notebook for notes
its administration Drawing booklet
Board with cubes
Pencil
2. EVALUATION CRITERIA.
The Wechsler Memory Scale – III (WMS – III), individual application,
it is a battery designed to assess the main aspects of
functioning of memory in adults between 16 and 89 years old. It consists
out of 11 tests, 6 of which are main tests while the 5
The remaining ones are optional. An experienced examiner can apply the
set of main tests in 30 or 35 minutes. The WMS - III can be a
very useful component within psychological evaluation batteries in the
psychiatric, clinical, forensic, educational, care, and medical fields. For
Example; this instrument can be used in the context of an evaluation
complete neuropsychological assessment to help with detection and localization of
brain dysfunctions.
3. APPLICATION RULES.
The WMS - III tests must be administered in the order specified in the
notebooks of elements and in the notebook of annotations, whether they are applied
all the tests as if only the main ones are applied. Also, it is necessary to have
Keep in mind that the Texts II test must be administered between 25 and 5 minutes afterwards.
having applied Texts I.
On the one hand, in order to facilitate the application, in certain tests
(Spatial localization, Letters and numbers and Digits) must be interrupted
when the subject makes several mistakes in a row. On the other hand, in the tests
(Word pairs, Letters and numbers and Digits) examples should be provided or
additional information to ensure that the subject understands the task.
Finally, except in cases where it is expressly prohibited,
the questions and instructions can be repeated if the subject requests it or if
It seems that he has not understood them.
4. TEST CORRECTION.
Score obtained Classification
129 Much superior
120 to 129 Superior
110 to 119 Normal alto
90 to 109 Half
80 to 89 Normal under
70 to 79 Inferior
< 70 Very inferior
5. NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS THAT EVALUATE
The WMS - III allows for the evaluation of both immediate memory and memory of
work and delayed memory. Each of these types of memory is evaluated
in two modalities (the auditory and the visual) and with two types of tasks (recall
and recognition).
6. TEST PROTOCOL