Clinical Assessment of Malingering and Deception
01 Jun 1990-American Journal of Occupational Therapy (American Occupational Therapy Association)-Vol. 44, Iss: 6, pp 569-569
About: This article is published in American Journal of Occupational Therapy.The article was published on 1990-06-01. It has received 343 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Malingering & Deception.
Citations
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TL;DR: This consensus statement documents the current state of knowledge and recommendations of expert clinical neuropsychologists and is intended to assist clinicians and researchers with regard to the neuropsychological assessment of effort, response bias, and malingering.
Abstract: During the past two decades clinical and research efforts have led to increasingly sophisticated and effective methods and instruments designed to detect exaggeration or fabrication of neuropsychological dysfunction, as well as somatic and psychological symptom complaints. A vast literature based on relevant research has emerged and substantial portions of professional meetings attended by clinical neuropsychologists have addressed topics related to malingering (Sweet, King, Malina, Bergman, & Simmons, 2002). Yet, despite these extensive activities, understanding the need for methods of detecting problematic effort and response bias and addressing the presence or absence of malingering has proven challenging for practitioners. A consensus conference, comprised of national and international experts in clinical neuropsychology, was held at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) for the purposes of refinement of critical issues in this area. This consensus statement documents the current state of knowledge and recommendations of expert clinical neuropsychologists and is intended to assist clinicians and researchers with regard to the neuropsychological assessment of effort, response bias, and malingering.
768 citations
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TL;DR: This article argues that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues to conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent, and proposes that this is achieved through dissociations of mental processes, includingconscious versus unconscious memories, conscious versus unconscious attitudes, and automatic versus controlled processes.
Abstract: In this article we argue that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues to conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent. Self-deception has two additional advantages: It eliminates the costly cognitive load that is typically associated with deceiving, and it can minimize retribution if the deception is discovered. Beyond its role in specific acts of deception, self-deceptive self-enhancement also allows people to display more confidence than is warranted, which has a host of social advantages. The question then arises of how the self can be both deceiver and deceived. We propose that this is achieved through dissociations of mental processes, including conscious versus unconscious memories, conscious versus unconscious attitudes, and automatic versus controlled processes. Given the variety of methods for deceiving others, it should come as no surprise that self-deception manifests itself in a number of different psychological processes, and we discuss various types of self-deception. We then discuss the interpersonal versus intrapersonal nature of self-deception before considering the levels of consciousness at which the self can be deceived. Finally, we contrast our evolutionary approach to self-deception with current theories and debates in psychology and consider some of the costs associated with self-deception.
496 citations
Cites background from "Clinical Assessment of Malingering ..."
...In line with these classical descriptions, contemporary clinicians acknowledge the striking mixture of conscious and unconscious control over symptom production that characterizes not only the different diagnostic subtypes of somatoform disorders, but also the temporal course of individual cases with the same diagnosis (Rogers 1988)....
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University of California, San Diego1, University of California, Davis2, Radboud University Nijmegen3, Heidelberg University4, Veterans Health Administration5, Emory University6, Brown University7, University College Dublin8, University of Münster9, University of Canterbury10, University of Gothenburg11, Bar-Ilan University12, RMIT University13, Leipzig University14, Greifswald University Hospital15, University of Sydney16, Hanyang University17, Maastricht University18, Stellenbosch University19, Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research20, University of North Texas21, Koç University22, University of Hamburg23, National Institutes of Health24, University of Mainz25, University of Basel26, Charité27
TL;DR: Investigation of 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire's MD scale, suggested that a minimizing response bias—as detected by the MD subscale—has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ’s discriminative validity.
Abstract: Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.
329 citations
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TL;DR: The development and validation of a paper and pencil screening measure, the Structured inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS), designed to detect malingering, and its potential utility in a complete evaluation process are discussed.
Abstract: This article discusses the development and validation of a paper and pencil screening measure, the Structured inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS), designed to detect malingering. Test items were constructed from a combination of revised validity questions from existing instruments and characteristics of malingerers noted by existing research. Items were organized on one of five subscales by experienced clinical psychologists. College students (N = 476) were assigned to one of seven simulation conditions (i.e., psychosis, amnesia, neurologic impairment, mania, depression, low intelligence, and "fake bad") or an honestly responding group. All subjects were administered the SIMS, the F and K scales of the MMPI, 16PF Faking Bad scale, and portions of the malingering scale. The SIMS total score demonstrated the highest sensitivity rating (95.6%) for detection when compared with the other validity indices. Suggestions concerning further research using the SIMS as well as its potential utility in a complete evaluation process are discussed.
273 citations
••
TL;DR: The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM; T. N. Tombaugh, 1996) is a newly developed visual recognition test that uses pictures of common objects as stimuli.
Abstract: The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM; T. N. Tombaugh, 1996) is a newly developed visual recognition test that uses pictures of common objects as stimuli. Prior normative research with community-dwelling adults and neurologically impaired patients has shown that the TOMM possesses a high degree of specificity and is not affected by demographic variables such as age and education. The current series of 5 integrated experiments was designed to provide important validation data. Converging evidence from all studies showed that scores on the TOMM are able to detect when an individual is not putting forth maximum effort. Overall, the TOMM's high levels of sensitivity and specificity suggest that it has high promise as a clinical test for detecting malingering of memory impairments.
228 citations
References
More filters
••
TL;DR: This consensus statement documents the current state of knowledge and recommendations of expert clinical neuropsychologists and is intended to assist clinicians and researchers with regard to the neuropsychological assessment of effort, response bias, and malingering.
Abstract: During the past two decades clinical and research efforts have led to increasingly sophisticated and effective methods and instruments designed to detect exaggeration or fabrication of neuropsychological dysfunction, as well as somatic and psychological symptom complaints. A vast literature based on relevant research has emerged and substantial portions of professional meetings attended by clinical neuropsychologists have addressed topics related to malingering (Sweet, King, Malina, Bergman, & Simmons, 2002). Yet, despite these extensive activities, understanding the need for methods of detecting problematic effort and response bias and addressing the presence or absence of malingering has proven challenging for practitioners. A consensus conference, comprised of national and international experts in clinical neuropsychology, was held at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) for the purposes of refinement of critical issues in this area. This consensus statement documents the current state of knowledge and recommendations of expert clinical neuropsychologists and is intended to assist clinicians and researchers with regard to the neuropsychological assessment of effort, response bias, and malingering.
768 citations
••
TL;DR: This article argues that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues to conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent, and proposes that this is achieved through dissociations of mental processes, includingconscious versus unconscious memories, conscious versus unconscious attitudes, and automatic versus controlled processes.
Abstract: In this article we argue that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues to conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent. Self-deception has two additional advantages: It eliminates the costly cognitive load that is typically associated with deceiving, and it can minimize retribution if the deception is discovered. Beyond its role in specific acts of deception, self-deceptive self-enhancement also allows people to display more confidence than is warranted, which has a host of social advantages. The question then arises of how the self can be both deceiver and deceived. We propose that this is achieved through dissociations of mental processes, including conscious versus unconscious memories, conscious versus unconscious attitudes, and automatic versus controlled processes. Given the variety of methods for deceiving others, it should come as no surprise that self-deception manifests itself in a number of different psychological processes, and we discuss various types of self-deception. We then discuss the interpersonal versus intrapersonal nature of self-deception before considering the levels of consciousness at which the self can be deceived. Finally, we contrast our evolutionary approach to self-deception with current theories and debates in psychology and consider some of the costs associated with self-deception.
496 citations
••
University of California, San Diego1, University of California, Davis2, Radboud University Nijmegen3, Heidelberg University4, Veterans Health Administration5, Emory University6, Brown University7, University College Dublin8, University of Münster9, University of Canterbury10, University of Gothenburg11, Bar-Ilan University12, RMIT University13, Leipzig University14, Greifswald University Hospital15, University of Sydney16, Hanyang University17, Maastricht University18, Stellenbosch University19, Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research20, University of North Texas21, Koç University22, University of Hamburg23, National Institutes of Health24, University of Mainz25, University of Basel26, Charité27
TL;DR: Investigation of 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire's MD scale, suggested that a minimizing response bias—as detected by the MD subscale—has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ’s discriminative validity.
Abstract: Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.
329 citations
•
TL;DR: The development and validation of a paper and pencil screening measure, the Structured inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS), designed to detect malingering, and its potential utility in a complete evaluation process are discussed.
Abstract: This article discusses the development and validation of a paper and pencil screening measure, the Structured inventory of Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS), designed to detect malingering. Test items were constructed from a combination of revised validity questions from existing instruments and characteristics of malingerers noted by existing research. Items were organized on one of five subscales by experienced clinical psychologists. College students (N = 476) were assigned to one of seven simulation conditions (i.e., psychosis, amnesia, neurologic impairment, mania, depression, low intelligence, and "fake bad") or an honestly responding group. All subjects were administered the SIMS, the F and K scales of the MMPI, 16PF Faking Bad scale, and portions of the malingering scale. The SIMS total score demonstrated the highest sensitivity rating (95.6%) for detection when compared with the other validity indices. Suggestions concerning further research using the SIMS as well as its potential utility in a complete evaluation process are discussed.
273 citations
••
TL;DR: The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM; T. N. Tombaugh, 1996) is a newly developed visual recognition test that uses pictures of common objects as stimuli.
Abstract: The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM; T. N. Tombaugh, 1996) is a newly developed visual recognition test that uses pictures of common objects as stimuli. Prior normative research with community-dwelling adults and neurologically impaired patients has shown that the TOMM possesses a high degree of specificity and is not affected by demographic variables such as age and education. The current series of 5 integrated experiments was designed to provide important validation data. Converging evidence from all studies showed that scores on the TOMM are able to detect when an individual is not putting forth maximum effort. Overall, the TOMM's high levels of sensitivity and specificity suggest that it has high promise as a clinical test for detecting malingering of memory impairments.
228 citations