Mere om Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test

Abstract

Linnemann, G. (1991). On the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test. Nordisk Psykologi, 43, 81–96

Rehabilitation of everyday memory problems in amnesic patients involves both predictive and descriptive methods. The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, developed by Wilson (1987) and recently translated into Danish, seems to confound the distinction between these two aspects of rehabilitation. Wilson's main concern seems to be whether or not the patient can approach the task rather than how the patient approaches the task or by how much or how little the patient fails to reach the goal. Therefore, the test is not a useful method for planning or evaluating complex human behaviour. In the Danish article (La Cour & Gallagher, 1990) presenting the test, the writers suggest that it might be suitable for use in differential diagnosis of functional and organic dementia. However, being a method of single-cases and lacking adequate normative material, this hardly seems the best choice. Although Wilson discusses the theoretical foundations of the test the current author considers this discussion insufficient and misleading. This article discusses the test's theoretical foundation, its reliability and validity, and its limitations in scope. Furthermore, the article suggests improvements of the test made.