Verbal Reasoning is the ability conceptualize with words. It involves abstract thinking, expressive language, semantics (vocabulary/meaning), and knowledge.
Strong Verbal Reasoning: Show a preference for verbally explaining (though introverted children may not do so in a large group), discussion, and precision in words; present as bright, though may not necessarily be organized in thought process
Weak Verbal: Struggle to provide a description (though may know the concept), may prefer doing rather than explaining, may think in images rather than words, may struggle with verbal conceptualization (terminology, complex wording in text)
Verbal reasoning does not necessarily equate to an expressive language disorder – the two are often linked, but sometimes a child be may able to conceptualize and have knowledge even though expressive language deficits are present, and sometimes expressive language is intact, but the child struggles with conceptualization.
Temporal & Frontal regions, primarily left hemisphere Cortical gray matter thickness Frontal regions associated with more abstract semantic relations |
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Language Processing Areas in the Brain (image source and additional information) |
Source References
• Choi, Y.Y., Shamosh, N.A., Cho, S.H., DeYoung, C.G., Lee, M.J., Lee, J.M., Kim, S,Il., Cho, Z-H, Kim, K. Gray, J.R., & Lee, K.H. (2008).
Multiple Bases for Human Intelligence Revealed by Cortical Thickness and Neural Activation. The Journal of Neuroscience, 8 Oct. 2008, 28(41)
• Weiss, L.G, Saklofske, D.H., Holdnack, J.A., & Prifitera, A. (2016).
WISC-V Assessment and Interpretation. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press.
Preference in Learning
- Discussion
- Precision of words
- Oral of written presentations
- Open-ended questions
- Semantic conceptualization
- Factual knowledge
- Reading comprehension
Examples of Test Measures
- WISC-V Similarities
- WISC-V Integrated Similarities multiple choice
- DKEFS Word Context
- DKEFS Proverbs
- DKEFS Sorting
- NEPSY-II Animal Sorting
- DAS-II Similarities
- WISC-V Vocabulary
- WISC-V Integrated Picture Vocabulary multiple choice
- DAS-II Word Definitions
- CREVT-2 Expressive Vocabulary
Note: this is not an exhaustive list; for more information and training visit https://schoolneuropsych.com