The reliability of three visual perception tests used to assess adults

Summary.-The reliability of three adult visual perceptual tests was investigated. Participants aged 20 years and older (N = 221; 49 adults with neurological impairment, 172 adults without) completed the Developmental Test of Visual Perception-Adolescent and Adult (DTVP-A), the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-3 (MVPT-3), and the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (non-motor) Third Edition (TVPS-3). Participants (n = 46) without neurological impairment completed these tests twice. Cronbach's alpha for the DTVP-A, MVPT-3, and TVPS-3 total scales were .86, .74, and .80 and test-retest correlations .51, .71, and .72, respectively.     

Reliability and validity of scores on the Slosson Auditory Perception Skills Screener

Psychometric characteristics of the Slosson Auditory Perception Skills Screener were studied using three independent samples of boys and girls ages 5-10 years (N= 1,170). Internal consistency of scores ranged from .83 to .90 for the total scale, while 30-day test-retest reliability was .82 (n=58). A convergent validity coefficient between the Slosson Auditory Perception Skills Screener and Test of Auditory Perceptual Skills-Revised Total Score was .59 (n=67, p<.05). Thus, scores derived from administration of the Slosson Auditory Perception Skills Screener had adequate internal consistency and temporal stability, as well as good convergent validity.     

Incremental validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 and symptom checklist-90-revised with mental health inpatients

This study evaluated the incremental validity of scores from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) in a sample of mental health inpatients originally published by Archer, Griffin, and Aiduk (1995). The incremental validity of scores from the SCL-90-R primary symptom dimensions and MMPI-2 Clinical, Content, and Restructured Clinical scales was assessed in a sample of 544 mental health inpatients using conceptually related items from the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) as criteria. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that scores from the SCL-90-R primary symptom dimensions exhibited limited incremental validity (Mdn DeltaR(2) = .01, range = 0-.01), whereas scores from MMPI-2 scales contributed additional information in the prediction of ratings on all but one BPRS item (Mdn DeltaR( 2) = .08, range = .04-.12).     

Relationship of social cognitive theory factors to exercise maintenance in adults

Modifiable variables related to Bandura's social cognitive theory were tested for their relationship to self-reported retrospective exercise maintenance in 178 adults. Significant bivariate correlations were found between length of adherence to regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise and item clusters reflecting social support (r = .42), self-management ability (r =.39), and ability to tolerate exercise-induced discomfort (r = .60). Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that each item cluster significantly contributed to the overall explained variance in length of exercise maintenance over 52 weeks (R2 =.43). When responses from each of the item clusters were summed, participants defined as adherents had significantly higher scores than drop-outs. Discussion emphasized the need for replication and implications for exercise adherence intervention.     

Content validity of the Visual Similes Test II

This study examined the content validity of the Visual Similes Test II, designed to measure affective and cognitive arousal in individuals 5 to 21 years of age. The 54 participants were asked to rate the affective and cognitive content of unoccluded stimuli from the Visual Similes Test II. The participants, whose mean age was 27.0 yr. (SD=8.6), included 1 (2%) man and 53 (98%) women who were enrolled in undergraduate and graduate special education courses. Paired-sample t tests comparing the affective and cognitive ratings for each item were significant for 53 of the 55 stimuli. The mean effect size (Cohen d) was 1.49 (range = .08 to 1.9).     

Validity of the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration Supplemental Developmental Test of Visual Perception

Visual perceptual skills of school-age children are often assessed using the Supplemental Developmental Test of Visual Perception of the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration. The study purpose was to consider the construct validity of this test by evaluating its scalability (interval level measurement), unidimensionality, differential item functioning, and hierarchical ordering of its items. Visual perceptual performance scores from a sample of 356 typically developing children (171 boys and 185 girls ages 5 to 11 years) were used to complete a Rasch analysis of the test. Seven items were discarded for poor fit, while none of the items exhibited differential item functioning by sex. The construct validity, scalability, hierarchical ordering, and lack of differential item functioning requirements were met by the final test version. Since 7 test items did not fit the Rasch analysis specifications, the clinical value of the test is questionable and limited.     

Reliability of the Frostig Test of visual perception in a South African sample

The Marianne Frostig Developmental Test of Visual Perception was administered to 31 preschool children (19 boys and 12 girls) whose mean age was 68 mo. An item analysis showed that 52% of the test items satisfied the requirements with regard to degree of difficulty and discrimination. KR-20 reliability coefficients varied between 0.31 and 0.58 for the different subtests, with r=0.72 for the full scale.     

Development of a new critical thinking test using item response theory

The authors describe the initial development of the Wagner Assessment Test (WAT), an instrument designed to assess critical thinking, using the 5-faceted view popularized by the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA; G. B. Watson & E. M. Glaser, 1980). The WAT was designed to reduce the degree of successful guessing relative to the WGCTA by increasing the number of response alternatives (i.e., 80% of WGCTA items are 2-alternative, multiple-choice), a change that was hypothesized to result in more desirable test information and standard-error functions. Analyses using the 3-parameter logistic item response theory (IRT) model in a sample of undergraduates (N = 407) supported this prediction, even when the WAT item pool was shortened to match the length of the WGCTA. Convergent validity between full-pool IRT score estimates was r = .69. Implications for subsequent research on IRT-based measurement of critical thinking are discussed.     

社会信念的自信判断:自我一致性模型的验证

采用重复测验的自信判断范式,检验自我一致性模型。项目一致性与项目共识性的分析表明:被试从大量共享的信念总体中抽取样本进行正误判断,自信判断则基于各个样本信念的一致性,并反映新样本做相同判断的可能性;建立在代表性样本上的判断有更高的一致性或共识性,信念建构的反应时更短且自信更高;项目一致性与项目共识性存在交互关系:高一致性的判断也是高共识性的判断。结果验证了自我一致性模型在中国文化背景下的存在。     

Defense mechanisms and self-reported violence toward partners and strangers

We examined the relationship between defense mechanisms and self-reported violence toward partners and toward strangers in a sample of college student men. Fifty men completed the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943) and the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS; Straus, 1979), a self-report measure of strategies (including violence) for resolving conflicts with partners and strangers. The TAT responses were coded for defense mechanisms with the Defense Mechanisms Manual (Cramer, 1991b). The relative use of identification was negatively correlated (r = -.49, p <.001), and the relative use of projection was positively correlated (r =.49, p <.001) with the most extreme CTS report of violence toward partners. The relative use of identification was negatively correlated with the most extreme CTS report of violence toward strangers (r = -.34, p <.05). The relative use of denial was positively correlated with the most extreme CTS report of violence toward strangers (r =.32, p <.05).     

中国1～4年级小学生视知觉发展研究

该研究对1132名来自中国不同地区的1~4年级小学生施测视知觉发展测验,探究了小学生视动整合能力和去动作的视知觉的发展特点。研究结果表明,1~4年级小学生视知觉随着年级的升高而增强,视动整合能力和去动作的视知觉均从二年级开始呈现发展态势。一到四年级视动整合能力与去动作视知觉能力发展出现差异。视动整合能力在这一阶段整体高于去动作视知觉能力,但去动作视知觉能力发展速率要快于视动整合能力。小学生视知觉能力的发展遵循了由具体到抽象,由动作到符号的发展规律。     

A comparison of the correlational structures and elevation patterns of the MMPI-2 restructured clinical (RC) and clinical scales

The relationship between the MMPI-2 restructured clinical scales and the original clinical scales was evaluated using an outpatient clinical sample (N = 150). Similar patterns of correlations to those reported by Tellegen et al. in 2003, such as high correlations between the restructured scales and their original scale counterparts and lower intercorrelations among the restructured scales than among the original scales, were found in the outpatient sample. The former provided evidence of convergence between the two sets of scales, whereas the latter increases the potential for discriminant validity in the restructured scale profiles. Mean T-scores of the restructured scales were significantly lower than their original scale counterparts for every clinical scale except Scale 1 (hypochondriasis). Individual profiles exhibited fewer scale elevations using the restructured clinical scales (M = 2.15, Mdn = 2.0) than the original clinical scales (M = 3.29, Mdn = 3.0). The majority of client profiles (56%) had fewer scale elevations when plotted using the restructured scales versus the original clinical scales.     

Self-pluralism and dissociation

The study examined the relationships among self-pluralism and dissociative experiences. 100 students were assessed using the Self-pluralism Scale and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Scores on self-pluralism were positively correlated with others: overall Dissociation (r=.50), Absorption (r=.54), Depersonalization (r=.43) and Amnesia (r = .28).     

A profile of adolescent alcohol offenders in two rural Midwestern counties

Screening tools specifically developed for use with adolescents may be more sensitive predictors of relapse or recidivism than self-report inventories typically used to screen adults. 70 adolescents in a program for drunk drivers in two counties in southeastern Nebraska were given both the CRAFFT and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test questionnaires during routine alcohol-dependency evaluations. The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test was also given to 28 subjects selected at random. 11 boys and 6 girls did not successfully complete the program. Significant correlations obtained for AUDIT scores for both the CRAFFT (r69=.65, p<.01) and failure to complete diversion (r69=.23, p<.05). Subjects were grouped by age (18 and younger and over 18 years) and by sex. A 2 x 2 analysis of variance for scores on the AUDIT indicated significant main effects for both age (F1,66=4.86, p<.05) and sex (F1.66=5.96, p<.01). MAST and CRAFFT scores showed no age or sex differences. The AUDIT might be included in drug and alcohol assessments with similar samples of adolescents.     

The Defense Mechanism Test predicts inadequate performance under stress

Perceptual defense reactions as tested by the Defense Mechanism Test (DMT) correlated to specific performance criteria in parachutists and divers. In the parachute study ( N =34), 8 trainees were identified on the Reaction Formation variable of the DMT, and 6 were among the Ss ( N =8) who failed the performance test (χ²=15.14, phi =0.67, p <0.001). In the diver study ( N =45), performance was impaired by the nitrogen narcosis produced by the high partial pressure of nitrogen. Memory was significant reduced both when recall and learning were done under narcosis ( t (44)=4.08, p <0.01, and t (44)=4.90, p <0.01). The reduction on reasoning capacity proved insignificant, but using the median reduction as cut score, the Reaction Formation variable correlated significantly with the reduction (χ²=6.51, phi =0.39, p <0.02). Memory and learning effect/reasoning tests did not correlate to any of the DMT variables using the median as a cut score. Using the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Test (TMAS) as a moderator variable, a significant correlation between reduction on the reasoning test and the combined score high anxiety/high defense was obtained (χ²=15.23, phi = 0.83, p <0.001).     

Comparing effects of perceptual and reflective repetition on subjective experience during later recognition memory

Using the Remember/Know procedure, we compared the impact of a reflective repetition by refreshing (i.e., briefly thinking of a just-seen item) and a perceptual repetition (i.e., seeing an item again) on subjective experience during recognition memory. Participants read aloud words as they appeared on a screen. Critical words were presented once (read condition), immediately repeated (repeat condition), or followed by a dot signalling the participants to think of and say the just-previous word (refresh condition). In Experiments 1 and 2, Remember responses benefited from refreshing a word (in comparison with reading it). In Experiment 2, this benefit disappeared when participants had to refresh one of three active items. Perceptual repetition increased Remember responses in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2 regardless of whether participants had just previously seen 1- or 3-items. These findings indicate that under some circumstances, reflective and perceptual repetition may have different consequences for later subjective experience during remembering, suggesting differences in their underlying functional mechanisms.     

On the origins of cultural differences in conformity: four tests of the pathogen prevalence hypothesis

What are the origins of cultural differences in conformity? The authors deduce the hypothesis that these cultural differences may reflect historical variability in the prevalence of disease-causing pathogens: Where pathogens were more prevalent, there were likely to emerge cultural norms promoting greater conformity. The authors conducted four tests of this hypothesis, using countries as units of analysis. Results support the pathogen prevalence hypothesis. Pathogen prevalence positively predicts cultural differences in effect sizes that emerge from behavioral conformity experiments (r=.49, n=17) and in the percentage of the population who prioritize obedience (r=.48, n=83). Pathogen prevalence also negatively predicted two indicators of tolerance for nonconformity: within-country dispositional variability (r=-.48, n=33) and the percentage of the population who are left-handed (r=-.73, n=20). Additional analyses address plausible alternative causal explanations. Discussion focuses on plausible underlying mechanisms (e.g., genetic, developmental, cognitive).     

Stimulus affectivity of the Danish Word Association Test as measured by response heterogeneity and Rasch scaled number of prolonged reaction times

With the purpose of increasing the knowledge of the psychometric properties of the 70-item Danish Word Association Test, data from three samples of non-patients and psychiatric patients (N = 326) were used to provide two measures of affectivity of the stimulus words, response heterogeneity and reaction time prolongation. It was possible to fit an item response theory one-parameter measurement (Rasch) model to the number of reaction time prolongations (> or =3 seconds) for 54 of the stimulus words. Correlation between Rasch-model item parameters and response heterogeneity was high (r = 0.86), while no correlation was found between either of these measures and frequency of the stimulus words in the Danish language. Both measures of stimulus affectivity supported a theoretically based classification of stimulus words as emotional or neutral. Response heterogeneity measures and Rasch measurement item and person parameters for reaction time prolongations are provided.     

An examination of practice and laterality effects on the Purdue Pegboard and Moving Beans with Tweezers

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of practice or learning and laterality on the Purdue Pegboard and the Moving Beans with Tweezers test. The subjects were 30 right-handed, healthy young male adults (age: M = 21.1, SD = 1.9 yr.). The subjects performed both tests five times with each hand. A two-way analysis of variance (hand x trial) for scores on the Purdue Pegboard showed that Trial 1 had a significantly lower mean than Trials 4 and 5 with the dominant hand, and scores on Trials 1 and 3 were lower than that on Trial 5 for the nondominant hand. For the Moving Beans with Tweezers test, Trial 1 had a significantly lower score than Trial 5 with the nondominant hand. The dominant hand produced significantly higher values on all trials of both tests. Intraclass correlation coefficients of Trials 2 and 3 were high, and means were significantly higher for the dominant hand. A correlation between other tests was not high (r = .37-.46) for both hands. All correlations among five trials on both tests were significant and high (Purdue Pegboard-Dominant: average r =.72, [r] = .60-.80, Purdue Pegboard-Nondominant: average r = .59, [r] = .43-.76), (Moving Beans-Dominant: average r = .74, [r] = .57-.81, Moving Beans-Nondominant: average r =.71, [r] = .55-.87). Correlations among five trials for the ratio of dominant:nondominant hand on both tests were significant and moderate (Moving Beans: average r = .28, [r] = .08-.57, Purdue Pegboard: average r = .41, [r] = .19.56). Performance with the dominant hand is superior to that of the nondominant hand on both tests. Practice effects are found for both tests across five trials. The Moving Beans with Tweezers test also showed laterality of practice effects. The two tests may measure different abilities.     

A Clinical approach to marital problems: Evaluation and management

Abstract

This study reviews two instruments designed to assess marital complaints as related to marital behavior: the Areas of Change Questionnaire (AC) and the Comprehensive Areas of Change Questionnaire (CAC). Although the AC is a reliable measure, it evaluates only 13 of the 29 categories of marital problems (Mead&;Vatcher, 1985) described by Geiss and O'Leary (1981). The CAC was developed to measure all 29 categories. Fifty distressed and 50 nondistressed couples were administered the CAC and the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT: Locke&;Wallace, 1959). The CAC is reliable overall, r=.84 and 20 out of 29 categories are reliable r=.40 or greater. Test-retest reliability was greater than r=.82 for all but one scoring method and for 21 of the 29 categories for all respondents with 2 additional categories stable for men and 2 different categories stable for women. The CAC differentiates distressed from nondistressed couples M=59.96 and 11.74 and individuals M=29.98 and 5.87, respectively. The CAC correlates with the MAT r=? .50 and ? .67 for nondistressed and distressed couples, respectively, when 5 extreme scores were removed from the distressed sample. Clinical utility of the CAC is discussed and further research into the nature of marital complaints is recommended.