Assessed alternate form reliability and equivalency for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) in a clinical sample. A test-retest, counterbalanced design was utilized with a diagnostically heterogenous group of 85 VA Medical Center patients. The mean test-retest interval was 140 min. Alternate form reliability coefficients were highly significant, all p less than .001, and ranged from .60 to .77. The forms yielded comparable means with differences of less than 1 point on each of the five learning trails and the postinterference (VI) and recognition trials. Total words recalled on trials I through V differed by less than 3 points across forms. From a statistical point of view, when the alternate form was administered second it was slightly more difficult than the original. In the reverse order, the two measures were comparable. Overall, differences between forms lacked clinical significance and the tests were judged to be equivalent measures.

Recognizing research which suggests that many practicing psychologists enter the field without training or with inadequate training in the knowledge, skills, and awareness needed to treat lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients, the authors in this Focus on Ethics provide suggestions for psychologists seeking competence with this population. In the lead article, Lyons fleshes out the contours of competent practice, presents the current state of psychologist competence, and calls for greater levels of competence. Next, Bieschke and Dendy respond by applying the Ethical Acculturation Model to describe the question of competence for those who may come from cultures not condoning of an LGB affirmative stance. Worthington provides hypotheses for the current rates of competence in the field and encourages the use of evidenced-based training and practice to increase competence. Finally, Georgemiller confirms the role of practicing psychologists who are heterosexual allies and identifies resources for gaining competence.

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Investigated the validity of the Arithmetic + Vocabulary + Picture Arrangement + Block Design subtest combination as an estimate of the WAIS‐R Full Scale IQ in a smaple of 55 elderly patients. The correlation between the short‐form IQ and the WAIS‐R Full Scale IQ was highly significant, r(53) = 0.95, p < 0.001. A pairwise t‐test computed between the mean IQs for the two forms was nonsignificant, t(54) < 1. Approximately one‐fourth of the Ss showed changes in intelligence classification levels when the short form was used. The short form does not provide a precise estimate of IQ; however, it appears to have clinical utility as a screening device to identify patients with atypical cognitive functioning. The short form correctly categorized 84% of the current sample with respect to the presence or absence of abnormalities on the full WAIS‐R.

In order to assess the utility of structured reminiscing with the elderly a series of five Life Review Workshops (LRW) were offered. Sixty-three seniors participated in the treatment or no-treatment conditions and were administered four attitude measures pre- and post-treatment. Workshop participants also filled out a Workshop Evaluation Form. Analyses showed that the treatment group significantly decreased in denial of death (t = 2.66, p = less than .01) while the control group did not. There were also moderate but significant correlations between age, education, religiosity, and health measures and the perceived benefit accrued from the workshop, the amount of reminiscing which participants reported after completing the workshop, and the number of functions which reminiscing served for LRW members.