Wechsler Working Memory Index Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following cognitive abilities is primarily assessed by the Working Memory Index (WMI) on the Wechsler scales?

Accepted Answer

The ability to temporarily hold and manipulate auditory and visual information.

Answer

The Working Memory Index (WMI) is specifically designed to measure an individual's ability to register, maintain, and mentally manipulate information in immediate awareness. This involves both auditory and visual stimuli.

Question 2

An examiner administers the WISC-V to a 10-year-old child. The child obtains a significantly lower score on the Working Memory Index (WMI) compared to their Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and Visual Spatial Index (VSI). This discrepancy most likely suggests the child may have difficulty with which of the following tasks?

Accepted Answer

Following multi-step instructions given orally.

Answer

A low WMI score often indicates challenges in holding and processing information. Difficulty with multi-step instructions is a classic real-world manifestation of poor working memory, as it requires remembering the steps while executing them.

Question 3

The core subtests that are typically used to derive the Working Memory Index (WMI) on the WISC-V are:

Accepted Answer

Digit Span and Picture Span

Answer

On the WISC-V, the Working Memory Index is calculated from the two primary subtests: Digit Span (auditory working memory) and Picture Span (visual working memory).

Question 4

A psychologist notes that an adult client's performance on the WAIS-IV is highly sensitive to anxiety, particularly on tasks requiring sustained concentration and mental manipulation. Which index score is most likely to be negatively affected by the client's anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Working Memory Index (WMI)

Answer

The tasks within the Working Memory Index, such as Digit Span and Arithmetic, require significant attention, concentration, and mental control. These functions are known to be particularly susceptible to the effects of anxiety.

Question 5

Which statement accurately describes a key function measured by the Working Memory Index (WMI)?

Accepted Answer

It evaluates cognitive flexibility and the ability to resequence information mentally.

Answer

A core component of working memory is not just holding information, but actively manipulating it. Subtests like Digit Span Sequencing and Letter-Number Sequencing directly require the examinee to mentally reorder and resequence the information presented.

Wechsler Test Practice Test

Wechsler Test Practice Test

Wechsler Working Memory Index Questions and Answers