The folklore hypothesis that suicidal individuals think in a rigid manner was evaluated by the California F Scale and the Rokeach Map Test. They were administered to a suicidal attempt group, a group of psychosomatic patients, and to hospitalized normal Ss. It was found that the suicidal group earned significantly higher California F Scale scores (p < .01), and that they also shifted significantly fewer times (p < .01) on the Rokeach Map Test, when compared with the other 2 groups. It was cautiously concluded that the folklore position had some validity.

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An attempt was made to evaluate the assumption that suicidal behavior in adolescents is linked to diminished problem-solving capacity. The WAIS Arithmetic Subtest and the Rokeach Map Reading Problems Test were administered to 13 suicidal, 13 psychiatric but nonsuicidal, and 13 normal adolescents. It was found that the suicidal group made significantly lower WAIS Arithmetic Subtest scores and failed the Rokeach Map Test Problems more often than the psychiatric and normal 5s. It was concluded that the assumption of diminished problem-solving capacity in suicidal adolescents is correct.

The intended use of the test is as a shorter and economical method of screening for organic brain damage. The test was routinely administered to all patients admitted to a Veterans Administration hospital. There are no positive findings to indicate value in distinguishing between psychosis and brain damage. Age and IQ factors need to be considered. Relationships between IQ, method of establishing diagnosis, and Trail Making scores need further study.

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