Detecting simulated memory impairment: Further validation of the Word Completion Memory Test (WCMT)

The Word Completion Memory Test (WCMT) was developed to detect sophisticated attempts at simulating memory impairment. The primary purpose of the present study was to provide additional validity and reliability information about the WCMT. Seventy-one participants were recruited for this study: 30 no...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of clinical neuropsychology 2005-12, Vol.20 (8), p.1025-1041
Main Authors: Hilsabeck, Robin C., Gouvier, Wm. Drew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Cognitive
Diagnosis, Differential
Faking bad
Female
Humans
Implicit memory
Language Tests
Male
Malingering
Malingering - diagnosis
Medical sciences
Memory Disorders - diagnosis
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological
Neuropsychological Tests
Predictive Value of Tests
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychometrics
Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Reproducibility of Results
Students - psychology
Techniques and methods
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Summary:The Word Completion Memory Test (WCMT) was developed to detect sophisticated attempts at simulating memory impairment. The primary purpose of the present study was to provide additional validity and reliability information about the WCMT. Seventy-one participants were recruited for this study: 30 normal volunteers and 11 memory-disordered patients instructed to perform their best, and 30 normal volunteers instructed to fake memory impairment. Normal volunteers were administered five tests of neuropsychological functioning and five tests of simulation to explore the convergent and divergent validity of the WCMT. Two weeks later, these participants completed all 10 measures a second time. Memory-disordered patients were administered the WCMT and two additional simulation measures as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. The WCMT successfully discriminated simulators from nonsimulators with an overall classification accuracy of 97% and demonstrated good psychometric properties. In conclusion, the WCMT continues to show promise as a measure of simulated memory impairment.
ISSN:0887-6177
1873-5843
DOI:10.1016/j.acn.2005.05.003