Author

Marc Renzoni

Abstract

Illusory correlation is the perception of an association between two uncorrected variables such as intersubtest scatter on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition (WISC-III) and the presence of a learning disability. This study assessed the extent to which school psychologists are influenced by this illusory correlation. Three independent variables were varied systematically. One variable was relevant to the diagnosis of a learning disability (a discrepancy between expected and actual levels of achievement on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT)). Another was irrelevant to the diagnosis (intersubtest scatter on the WISC-III). The third independent variable was used as a warning to those participants who had an illusory belief that intersubtest scatter on the WISC-III is a valid indicator of a learning disability. Certified school psychologists randomly received case study material for a child referred for a psychological evaluation. It was found that participants based their diagnostic decisions about learning disabilities on the illusory belief that intersubtest scatter on the WISC-III is a valid indicator of a learning disability in the no warning condition only. When warned of this illusory belief, this effect disappeared. This illusory belief, therefore, could effect school psychologists' diagnostic decisions and therefore falsely identify children as learning disabled.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

School psychologists; Learning disabilities--Diagnosis--Evaluation; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Evaluation; Correlation (Statistics)

Publication Date

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Psychology (CLA)

Advisor

Illegible Signature

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: LB3013.6 .R46 2000

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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