Qualitative scoring procedures for the detection of malingering using the Wechsler Memory Scale - Third Edition

Individuals undergoing neuropsychological evaluation are often involved in litigation for compensation. Consequently, much incentive to perform poorly on neuropsychological assessments exists. Thus, sophisticated detection methods are desirable. One promising approach may be to utilize qualitative scoring that provides information regarding the test taking strategy. Many current methods use a single quantitative score to discriminate people who malinger cognitive deficits, which may overlook sensitive information and be less accurate. This study developed and applied qualitative scoring procedures for the WMS-III and evaluated them using four experimental groups: sophisticated malingerer, naive malingerer, normal control, and brain damage. Results were mixed. When added to quantitative methods, qualitative variables were able to improve the classification rate when discriminating all experimental groups, but were ineffective toward improving classification rates when discriminating two groups (simulated malingerers and brain injured participants). Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

2003

Author dc:creator

• Caron, Joshua E

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel N. Allen

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/1581

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-2580