Validity of a computerized administration of the Warrington Recognition Memory Test and the detection of simulated memory deficits

The detection of incomplete effort on neuropsychological test performance is an increasing problem for clinical neuropsychologists. Procedures have typically employed comparison of the profile of neuropsychological test results with the expected neuropsychological deficits in brain damaged individuals. The present study reports preliminary data examining the validity of a computerized administration of the Recognition Memory Test (Warrington, 1984) in both a normative control sample (n 516) and in a sample of subjects instructed to feign a believable head injury related memory deficit (n 5 8). Results supported the equivalence of the standardized and computerized versions in both groups and provided evidence for the utility of recommended cut-off scores in the detection of incomplete effort. Potential problems with the cutoff scores identified in studies using university students are discussed.