Malingering on the RAVLT Part II. Detection strategies

Abstract

In this study two potential indices of malingering derived from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were evaluated as a means of detecting malingering. These were indices based on discrepancies between recognition-recall scores and differences in the serial position effect (SPE). Sixty undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: malingerers, malingerers-with-warning, warning-only, and control. Incentives were offered to participants in all conditions to encourage faking in a believable manner (malingering conditions), or to encourage optimal performance (nonmalingering conditions). Two predictions were made. First, it was predicted that the serial position curve for subjects in malingering conditions would show suppression of primacy effects relative to nonmalingerers. Second, it was predicted that recall would be better than recognition for subjects in malingering conditions compared to nonmalingering conditions. The utility of these indices was also explored in the context of providing subjects' with warnings regarding use of methods to detect malingering. Results indicated that both indices failed to reliably differentiate between malingerers and nonmalingerers, and warnings failed to modify participants' behaviour.

The Bay Area Verbal Learning Test (BAVLT): Normative Data and the Effects of Repeated Testing, Simulated Malingering, and Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Consistent with previous reports (Suhr, 2002; Sullivan et al, 2002; Powell et al, 2004), primacy/recency ratios were abnormal ( p < 0.05) in 60% of the simulated malingerers and 20% of the abnormal controls.…”

“…Consistent with previous studies, we found that recognition scores (Bernard et al, 1993; Suhr, 2002; Sullivan et al, 2002) and primacy/recency ratios (Bernard et al, 1993; Suhr, 2002; Sullivan et al, 2002) showed good sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing malingering and control subjects with abnormal performance. Two new metrics, IWIs and learning rate, also showed good metric properties.…”

“…We used four indices: (1) Recognition scores . Abnormal reductions in recognition scores have previously been observed in malingering populations (Sullivan et al, 2002; Whitney and Davis, 2015). (2) Primacy/recency ratios .…”

“…(2) Primacy/recency ratios . Malingering participants show an abnormal reduction in primacy effects (Bernard et al, 1993; Suhr, 2002; Sullivan et al, 2002). (3) Reduced learning rates .…”

The effect of acute pain on executive function

“…It included five trials, each trial consisting of 15 unrelated words (List A). Between each trial the target list was read to the participant at a pace of one word per second [30]. After the fifth trial, an interference list is read [30].…”