Abstract:
The detection of malingering or incomplete effort on the Wechsler adult scales (WAIS-R & WMS-R) has been successfully replicated using a malingering index, both with simulated malingers and clinical patients with financial incentive. Analysis of these studies suggests that their success derives from examinees' misconception that tasks of immediate attention span are more affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) than empirical data reveal. We demonstrate this generalization, using the Memory Assessment Scale (MAS), creating a General Memory minus Short Term Memory difference score. Forty-three patients with equivocal TBI involved in injury-related litigation were compared with 45 patients not involved in litigation, with moderate to severe TBI. The difference score successfully discriminated between the two groups. It appears that the basis for certain malingering indices involve examinee misconceptions regarding the effect of TBI on basic attention