This study demonstrates how administrative variables can alter the utility of a current MMPI test. Individual administration was significantly superior to group administration and special" administration was significantly superior to routine administration. (Author/CG)

Under positive referral conditions testers obtained higher IQ scores, rated the child more favorably on Factors Affecting Test Performance and made more favorable recommendations than under negative referral conditions, thus supporting the hypothesis that the referral agent does influence the testing situation. (Author)

In 1967 Gough and McGurk proposed a 30 item set of geometric forms and illusions for use in cross-cultural study of cognitive functioning. An Italian survey was therefore initiated to determine the applicability of the series and its validity in specifying age related cognitive levels. The results are discussed. (Author)

Explores factor structure of the Personality Research Form (PRF) and examines the inventory's relations with response styles. In general, the PRF content scales correlate moderately with each other and with measures of acquiescence, social desirability, and defensiveness response biases. (Author)

A group cognitive modification treatment was effective in significantly reducing test anxiety as assessed by (a) test performance, (b) self-reports and (c) grade point average. (Author)

The findings of Masling and Harris were felt to violate the principle of parsimony and to cast unwarranted asperisons on the students who served as Es. The data were reinterpreted as showing that the male students were simply applying sound clinical principles in an attempt to do as well as possible on the task given them. (Author)

Responds to an article questioning the construct validity of the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Suggests that social desirability should not be invoked as a potential confound unless the obtained covariation is theoretically inconsistent or is so overlapping as to make the respective scales redundant with respect to factorial content. (Author/RC)

States that the correlation between social desirability (SD) and hopelessness is open to several interpretations, but, in the absence of further data, concern for false-negative rates dictates caution in interpreting hopelessness scores when assessing suicidal behavior. Presents data on the relationship of SD, hopelessness, and prediction of…

Studied effects of anxiety and sex on neuropsychological test performance. Right-handed subjects responded to the Finger Tapping (FT), Form Board (FB), and State-Trait Anxiety tests. Females performed significantly slower on the FT than males, and for females, trait anxiety was negatively correlated with FT performance and positively correlated…

Investigated the efficacy of various WAIS short forms among outpatients. Results favor Pauker's (1963) short form but also show a decrease in correspondence between short-form and Full Scale scores when the short forms are administered separately. (Author/EJT)

Instructed preadolescents to "fake bad" on comprehensive neuropsychological testing, then had cases reviewed by 42 clinical neuropsychologists. Ninety-three percent of reviewers diagnosed abnormality, most attributing results to cortical dysfunction; no clinician detected malingering. Results are consistent with other studies exploring…

Both Desensitization and implosive therapy resulted in significant decreases in scores on Sarason's Test Anxiety Scale. However, the desensitization group also demonstrated a significant reduction in state anxiety assessed during simulated testing sessions and a significant increase in grade point average, while the implosive therapy group showed…

Reviews Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) performance as a function of ethnic group membership in Asian Americans, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Recommends issues raised in the review be addressed by research before it can be concluded that new norms for the MMPI are needed for specific ethnic groups. (Author/NB)

Contends that the Speech Sounds Perception Test form (Adult and Midrange versions) is structured such that correct responses can be determined rationally. If a patient identifies and responds according to that structure, the validity of the test is compromised. Posttest interview is suggested as a simple solution. (Author/JAC)