Culture and Cognitive Measures in Psychological Assessment

Abstract

Intelligence testing plays a pivotal role in psychological assessment, influencing decisions in education, employment, and mental health. Despite their utility, these tests are deeply embedded in cultural contexts, raising concerns about their fairness and applicability across diverse populations (Buros Center for Testing, 2021). The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory remains the dominant framework for most modern tests, conceptualizing intelligence as a general factor ("g") with specific cognitive abilities (Keith & Reynolds, 2010). However, this perspective may privilege abilities valued in Western cultures, limiting its cultural inclusivity. Factors such as socioeconomic status, health, language, and cultural equivalence significantly influence test performance (Suzuki, 2022). Widely-used tests, including the Wechsler Scales, Woodcock-Johnson IV, and Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-II (KABC-II NU), exhibit varying levels of cultural sensitivity. For instance, the Wechsler Scales are extensively researched but face critiques regarding cultural loading and demographic adjustments (Graves et al., 2020). Similarly, nonverbal tests like the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI-4) and Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT-2) aim to reduce linguistic demands but are not entirely free from cultural influence. To ensure fairness, clinicians must critically evaluate the psychometric properties (e.g., validity, reliability, and fairness), cultural relevance, and limitations of these measures with particular communities. Recommendations include adopting a client-centered approach, interpreting results in cultural context, and supplementing test data with qualitative insights (Kaufman, 1990). Ongoing research and adaptive testing practices are essential to align cognitive assessment with principles of social justice and inclusivity. This presentation discusses how cultural context and factors can impact psychological assessment, in terms of test construct conceptualization, test administration and result interpretation. It provides an overview of how various cultural variables can impact intelligence testing, followed by factors that practitioners should consider in selecting a battery for their clients. Strengths and limitations of widely used measures of intelligence in incorporating cultural considerations are discussed.

Presenters

Lisa Suzuki | New York University

Jen Ying Zheng Ang | New York University

Aakriti Prasai | New York University