Updates an earlier study by reanalyzing interstate variations in Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Test scores. Reaffirms the conclusion that state rankings based on such scores change dramatically when adjusted for number of test takers or class rank of test-taking population. Finds that public expenditures are positively related to…

Police officers (n=166) completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory versions 1 and 2 (MMPI-1 and MMPI-2) in one sitting. Results showed an overall concordance of 78% for the tests, with a 90% concordance rate for a set of well-defined profiles. Implications for test use are discussed. (SLD)

Results from 344 college students and 129 psychiatric patients supported the effectiveness of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Infrequency scale in detecting fake-bad responding and the usefulness of the MMPI-2 Obvious-Subtle index, Positive Malingering scale, and Lie scale in detecting fake-good responding. (SLD)

The measurement characteristics of the Perceived Adequacy of Resources Scale, a measure of family functioning, were investigated. The reliability and validity of total and subtest scores were studied with 113 mothers. Results were generally favorable regarding the integrity of scores from the measure. (SLD)

Adapted Leadership Practices Inventory for use with college students. Validated Leadership Practices Inventory in nationwide survey of fraternity chapter presidents. Correlations between chapter presidents' leadership behaviors (challenging, inspiring, enabling, modeling, encouraging) as viewed by executive committee members and latter's…

Investigates psychometric properties and overall utility of Family-of-Origin Scale. Concludes that, although much of the recent criticism of this instrument may be justified, with changes (primarily in interpretation) the instrument remains useful. Taking this measure as an example, discusses problems inherent in the use of individual self-report…

Discusses the heavy demand on teachers and students for making sense of writing test scores. Illustrates the interpretive demands of going beyond writing test scores to make sense of the scores. Suggests that these demands point to the need for professional development in this area. (RS)

Compared intellectual (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale for Adults-Revised) and neuropsychological (Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery) assessment as valid methods of identifying learning disabilities in adults. Findings from 155 subjects revealed that both instruments were able to distinguish adults with and without learning disabilities.…

Compared relative efficacy of three drinking indices (quantity, frequency, quantity x frequency) in predicting presence of drinking problems in college students (n=55 males; 64 females). Although drinking frequency was as good a predictor as quantity x frequency for predicting such problems in males, it was best predictor of female drinking…

Rated 583 children and adolescents with mental retardation on new psychometric instrument, Reiss Scales for Children's Dual Diagnosis, to screen for psychopathology in individuals with mental retardation. Respondents who had dual diagnosis obtained total scores approximately one standard deviation higher than those without dual diagnosis. Each of…

Surveyed 598 marriage/family practitioners to examine use of standardized assessment instruments in practice. Responses from 188 clinicians who reported use of tests revealed that 147 different standardized tests were used in marriage and family therapy practice. Test use was most frequent for treatment planning purposes, except in premarital area…

Discusses most widely used measures to inquire about depression in children and adolescents, including self-reporting scales, clinician-completed rating scales, and structured diagnostic interviews. Includes information on how to obtain copies of the measures and related materials that provide information on psychometric properties. (NB)

Investigated relationship between Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SB:IV) abbreviated batteries and complete battery among 38 college students. Findings suggest that school psychologists who use abbreviated versions of SB:IV with older adolescents and young adults should be aware that these short forms may underestimate students'…

Examined utility of Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) by comparing results obtained from 217 normal adolescents to findings from Cull and Gill's standardization effort. Present sample scored significantly higher than normative sample on SPS item, subscale, and total scores. Findings suggest need for caution when using SPS to assess adolescent…

The usefulness of the Five-Factor personality domains of the NEO Personality Inventory (P. Costa and R. McCrae, 1992) in identifying subtypes was studied with 3,256 substance abusers. Three groups, differing in coping style, psychopathological symptoms, and pattern of substance choice, were reliably identified. Implications for use of the measure…