Differential sensitivity of the Response Bias Scale (RBS) and MMPI-2 validity scales to memory complaints.

Full Abstract

The MMPI-2 Response Bias Scale (RBS) is designed to detect response bias in forensic neuropsychological and disability assessment settings. Validation studies have demonstrated that the scale is sensitive to cognitive response bias as determined by failure on the Word Memory Test (WMT) and other symptom validity tests. Exaggerated memory complaints are a common feature of cognitive response bias. The present study was undertaken to determine the extent to which the RBS is sensitive to memory complaints and how it compares in this regard to other MMPI-2 validity scales and indices. This archival study used MMPI-2 and Memory Complaints Inventory (MCI) data from 1550 consecutive non-head-injury disability-related referrals to the first author's private practice. ANOVA results indicated significant increases in memory complaints across increasing RBS score ranges with large effect sizes. Regression analyses indicated that the RBS was a better predictor of the mean memory complaints score than the F, F(B), and F(P) validity scales and the FBS. There was no correlation between the RBS and the CVLT, an objective measure of verbal memory. These findings suggest that elevated scores on the RBS are associated with over-reporting of memory problems, which provides further external validation of the RBS as a sensitive measure of cognitive response bias. Interpretive guidelines for the RBS are provided.

Author information

Author/s: Gervais, Roger O (RO); Ben-Porath, Yossef S (YS); Wygant, Dustin B (DB); Green, Paul (P);

Affiliation: Neurobehavioural Associates, Alberta, Canada. rgervais(-atsign-)shaw.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The Clinical neuropsychologist (Clin Neuropsychol), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Dec; vol 22 (issue 6) : pp 1061-79

Dates: Created 2008/11/21; Completed 2009/02/19; Revised 2009/05/31;

PMID: 18609315, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 6/1/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

ErratumIn: Clin Neuropsychol. 2009 Apr;23(3):549.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Anxiety - diagnosis; psychology
Chronic Disease
Cognition - physiology
Depression - diagnosis; psychology
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
MMPI - standards; statistics & numerical data
Male

Male
Memory - physiology
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests - standards; statistics & numerical data
Neuropsychology - methods; statistics & numerical data
Pain - diagnosis; psychology
Personality - physiology
Psychometrics - methods; standards; statistics & numerical data
Regression Analysis
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.

See 100+ related articles.

See a larger map of 100+ related articles.