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Response validity in forensic neuropsychology: Exploratory factor analytic evidence of distinct cognitive and psychological constructs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2007

NATHANIEL W. NELSON ,
JERRY J. SWEET ,
DAVID T.R. BERRY ,
FRED B. BRYANT  and
ROBERT P. GRANACHER
NATHANIEL W. NELSON
Affiliation:
Neuropsychology Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
JERRY J. SWEET
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
DAVID T.R. BERRY
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
FRED B. BRYANT
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
ROBERT P. GRANACHER
Affiliation:
Lexington Forensic Institute, Lexington, Kentucky
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Abstract

Forensic neuropsychology studies usually address either cognitive effort or psychological response validity. Whether these are distinct constructs is unclear. In 122 participants evaluated in a compensation-seeking context, the present Exploratory Factor Analysis examined whether forced-choice cognitive effort measures (Victoria Symptom Validity Test, Test of Memory Malingering, Letter Memory Test) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2) validity scales (L, F, K, FBS, Fp, RBS, Md, Dsr2, S) load on independent factors. Regardless of factor rotation strategy (orthogonal or oblique), four response validity factors emerged by means of both Principal Components Analysis (82.7% total variance) and Principal-Axis Factor Analysis (74.1% total variance). The four factors were designated as follows: Factor I, with large loadings from L, K, and S—underreporting of psychological symptoms; Factor II, with large loadings from FBS, RBS, and Md—overreporting of neurotic symptoms; Factor III, with large loadings from VSVT, TOMM, and LMT—insufficient cognitive effort; and Factor IV, with the largest loadings from F, Fp, and Dsr2—overreporting of psychotic/rarely endorsed symptoms. Results reflect the heterogeneity of response validity in forensic samples referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Administration of both cognitive effort measures and psychological validity scales is imperative to accurate forensic neuropsychological assessment. (JINS, 2007, 13, 440–449.)

Keywords

Minnesota multiphasic personality inventoryMalingeringForensic sciencesFactor analysisPsychometricsPersonality assessment
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , May 2007 , pp. 440 - 449
Copyright
© 2007 The International Neuropsychological Society

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