Inconsistent responding on the MMPI-2-RF and uncooperative attitude: Evidence from cognitive performance validity measures.

It is generally well understood that possible reasons for inconsistent responding on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), as measured by the Variable Response Inconsistency (VRIN-r) and True Response Inconsistency (TRIN-r) scales, include reading or language limitations, cognitive impairment, and intentional random responding; however, the interpretive recommendations for the test suggest that higher scores on these scales can also result from an uncooperative test-taking approach. This study utilized a sample of 3,457 predominately non-head injury disability claimants to examine the association between inconsistent responding on the MMPI-2-RF and performance on cognitive tests as well performance validity tests (PVTs), an independent indicator of uncooperative test-taking attitude. Analysis of variance found that both VRIN-r and TRIN-r were associated with statistically lower cognitive test scores.

Symptom validity testing in medically unexplained pain: a chronic regional pain syndrome type 1 case series.

This study examines validity findings in a particular behavioral pain disorder. We examined two types of validity scores in 73 participants with a primary diagnosis of the controversial Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (CRPS-1). All participants were incentivized by a disability-seeking context.

Secular IQ increases by epigenesis? The hypothesis of cognitive genotype optimization.

The short timescale of massive secular IQ gains ("Flynn Effect") is inconsistent with positive selection of a recent gene mutation, but other genetic mechanisms are possible. Principles of evolutionary psychology, combined with secular trends, suggest an epigenetic explanation: the Cognitive Genome Optimization Hypothesis. Per life-history theory, favorable secular trends may change the phenotypic expression of the genotype which controls the neurophysiology of problem solving.

A misleading review of response bias: comment on McGrath, Mitchell, Kim, and Hough (2010).

In the May 2010 issue of Psychological Bulletin, R. E. McGrath, M.

MMPI-2 validity scores in defense- versus plaintiff-selected examinations: a repeated measures study of examiner effects.

The effects of forensic examiner role on validity scores have rarely been studied empirically. We used a repeated measures design to examine the association between examiner role (plaintiff- and defense-selected neuropsychologists) and scores on eight Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory-2 validity scores (MMPI-2-VRIN, -TRIN, -L, -K, -F, -Fb, -Fp, and -FBS) of the same 80 individuals. All 80 were involved in litigation following mostly minor neurological injuries.

The MMPI-2 Symptom Validity Scale (FBS) not influenced by medical impairment: a large sleep center investigation.

The Symptom Validity Scale (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-FBS [MMPI-2-FBS]) is a standard MMPI-2 validity scale measuring overstatement of somatic distress and subjective disability. Some critics assert the MMPI-2-FBS misclassifies too many medically impaired persons as malingering symptoms. This study tests the assertion of malingering misclassification with a large sample of 345 medical inpatients undergoing sleep studies that standardly included MMPI-2 testing.

Test of memory malingering and word memory test: a new comparison of failure concordance rates.

Two commonly used symptom validity tests are the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and Word Memory Test (WMT). After examining TOMM-WMT failure concordance rates, Green [Green, P. (2007).

Clinical myths of forensic neuropsychology.

Clinical myths and lore are unfounded beliefs that still influence practice decisions. I examine the validity of six beliefs commonly encountered in forensic neuropsychology practice: the admissibility of test batteries; avoidance of practice effects; forewarning insures good effort; average deficits in bright persons; 15% chronic impairment in mild brain injury; and examiner bias causing malingering. I show these beliefs are invalid because of material misunderstandings of case law and literature, falsification by empirical findings, and lack of authoritative sources.

Validity testing in dually diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and mild closed head injury.

Prospects for the coexistence of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) rely exclusively on subjective evidence, increasing the risk of response bias in a compensatable social context. Using a priori specificities derived from genuine brain disorder groups, we examined validity failure rates in three domains (symptom, cognitive, motor) in 799 persons reporting persistent subjective disability long after mild neurological injury. Validity tests included the Test of Memory Malingering, MMPI-2 Fake Bad Scale, and Infrequency (F) scales, reliable digit span, and Halstead-Reitan finger tapping.

Neuropsychological correlates of manganese exposure: a meta-analysis.

The hypothesized effect of recurrent low-dose manganese (Mn) exposure on neuropsychological function is controversial because of inconsistent findings across three decades of research. We conducted a meta-analysis on 41 variables from nineteen neuropsychological studies of Mn-exposed workers. The results showed: Large effect size (ES) for biological markers of Mn and lead levels; thirteen of 26 neurocognitive measures showing a small average ES; only one of 26 tasks showed a moderate ES; and small to medium ES for confounding/competing variables such as education and aptitude.