Administration Order Effects on the Test of Memory Malingering

Abstract

Using a sample of 72 university students, we determined whether administering the Boston Naming Test (BNT) before the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) affects scores on the latter test and whether administration of a visual test during the interval between TOMM Trial 2 and the TOMM Retention Trial (TOMM-R) influences results on TOMM-R. Four orders of administration were used. A series of nonparametric tests indicated that when the BNT was given before the TOMM, a lower median TOMM Trial 1 (TOMM-1) score emerged. However, of the 36 participants who completed the BNT prior to administration of the TOMM, only one achieved a score < 45 on TOMM-1. There were no other significant findings. Overall, the results suggest that order of test administration is probably not a determinant of TOMM scores.

Key words:

• administration order effects
• BNT
• TOMM

Notes

Note. TOMM-1 = Test of Memory Malingering Trial 1; TOMM-2 = Test of Memory Malingering Trial 2; TOMM-R = Test of Memory Malingering Retention Trial; BNT = Boston Naming Test; IN = Information subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III); PC = Picture Completion subtest of the WAIS-III.

Note. TOMM-1 = Test of Memory Malingering Trial 1; TOMM-2 = Test of Memory Malingering Trial 2; TOMM-R = Test of Memory Malingering Retention Trial; BNT = Boston Naming Test; IN = Information subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III); PC = Picture Completion subtest of the WAIS-III.