Final answer:
The WAIS-IV is a standardized intelligence test that evaluates various cognitive functions through 14 subtests, resulting in five index scores and a Comprehensive IQ score, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, fourth edition (WAIS-IV), is an individually administered intelligence test used widely in schools and communities throughout the United States. When administering the WAIS-IV, a professional evaluates multiple cognitive functions through various subtests, which assess different areas including Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed. After completing the 14 subtests, the scorer combines the scores from each to form five index scores and a Full Scale IQ score, reflecting an understanding that intelligence is multifaceted.
This method of scoring appreciates that intelligence involves a rich interplay of various mental abilities rather than a single metric. The WAIS-IV and tests like the WISC-V are periodically normed and standardized to maintain accuracy over time.