Introducing a forced choice recognition trial to the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised

Abstract

Objective

This study was designed to replicate previous research on embedded validity indicators (EVIs) in the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised (HVLT-R) and introduce a new forced choice recognition trial (FCR).

Method

Undergraduate research volunteers were randomly assigned (M_Age = 21.7; M_Education = 14.5 years, 85% female) to either the control or experimental malingering condition, and were administered a brief battery of neuropsychological tests.

Results

Recognition memory based EVIs (both existing and newly introduced) effectively discriminated credible and non-credible response sets. An FCR ≤11 produced .59 sensitivity and perfect specificity to invalid responding. A Recognition Discrimination (RD) score ≤8 also produced a good combination of sensitivity (.35) and specificity (.96). The FCR trial made unique contributions to performance validity assessment above and beyond previously published EVIs.

Conclusions

RD achieved ≥.90 specificity at higher cutoffs than previously reported. The newly introduced FCR trial has the potential to enhance the existing arsenal of EVIs within the HVLT-R. However, it must demonstrate its ability to differentiate genuine impairment from non-credible responding before it can be recommended for clinical use.

KEYWORDS:

• Hopkins Verbal Learning Test
• forced choice recognition
• experimental malingering
• performance validity

Disclosure statement

The authors have no other disclosures to make that could be interpreted as conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

This project received no financial support from outside funding agencies. The study was supported by a Collaborative Research Grant from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Windsor. Relevant ethical guidelines were followed throughout the project. All data collection, storage and processing was done with the approval of relevant institutional authorities regulating research involving human participants, in compliance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent amendments or comparable ethical standards. Drs. Abeare and Erdodi are employed by the University of Windsor. In addition, they provide forensic consultation and medicolegal assessments, for which they receive financial compensation.