The Effects of Self-Efficacy and Motivation on Fluid Intelligence as Measured by the Block Design Subtest of the WAIS-IV

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover if self-efficacy and motivation affects fluid intelligence tasks on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale- fourth edition (WAIS IV), and the possible influences of those effects on the overall IQ score. The present study explored the relationship between self-efficacy and motivation and its overall effect on IQ scores to determine if an administrator can alter IQ scores by manipulating perceived self-efficacy during a task and enhancing motivation. Participants were selected by graduate students from Emporia State University in the Assessment of Intelligence course. The participants were given four instruments: The General Self Efficacy Scale, a Motivation Questionnaire, a background questionnaire, and the WAIS IV. The research design had three randomized groups - 1) control group: WAIS-IV without modifications, 2) Experimental group: WAIS-IV paired with positive affirmations to boost self-efficacy, and 3) Experimental group: WAIS-IV paired with incentives to maximize motivation. The study will use multiple Factorial Analysis of Variance and a Multivariate Analysis of Variance to analyze the results. It was proposed that self-efficacy and motivation may be a direct influence on IQ scores because of their impact on fluid intelligence tasks. However, this study did not receive significant results, so I cannot state that self-efficacy or motivation influences performance on fluid intelligence tasks on the WAIS-IV at this time.