University of Louisville
Competence to Stand Trial: Analysis of Cognitive Capacities as Measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Test of Intelligence and the Role of Age
Institution
University of Louisville
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Robert Meyer
Abstract
Within the field of forensic psychology competency to stand trial is one of the most widely researched areas. The WAIS is one of several intelligence scales that is used in a forensic population to assess competency to stand trial but the WASI, an abbreviated version of the WAIS, has not yet been tested in the forensic population. This study examined the utility of the WAIS in the forensic setting and also examined whether age was a factor in determining competency to stand trial. It was predicted that age and IQ (as judged by the WASI) would be a better predictor for competency than either age or IQ scores alone. Data was collected from subjects remanded for pre-trial competency to stand trial screenings. All subjects were at least 18 years of age with at least one felony charge with a sample of approximately 100 subjects. Results will be discussed upon presentation of the poster but it is expected that the results will find the WASI to be a reliable test for competency to stand trial. It is also expected that age will influence competency and that the variables together will be a better predictor than either predictor alone.
Competence to Stand Trial: Analysis of Cognitive Capacities as Measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Test of Intelligence and the Role of Age
Within the field of forensic psychology competency to stand trial is one of the most widely researched areas. The WAIS is one of several intelligence scales that is used in a forensic population to assess competency to stand trial but the WASI, an abbreviated version of the WAIS, has not yet been tested in the forensic population. This study examined the utility of the WAIS in the forensic setting and also examined whether age was a factor in determining competency to stand trial. It was predicted that age and IQ (as judged by the WASI) would be a better predictor for competency than either age or IQ scores alone. Data was collected from subjects remanded for pre-trial competency to stand trial screenings. All subjects were at least 18 years of age with at least one felony charge with a sample of approximately 100 subjects. Results will be discussed upon presentation of the poster but it is expected that the results will find the WASI to be a reliable test for competency to stand trial. It is also expected that age will influence competency and that the variables together will be a better predictor than either predictor alone.