Using the WMS-III to detect malingering: Empirical validation of the Rarely Missed Index (RMI)

W. D. Scott Killgore, L. DellaPietra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

To detect malingering during memory assessment, we evaluated item response biases to the Logical Memory Delayed Recognition (LMDR) subtest of the WMS-III. In a sample of 50 healthy volunteers who were completely naïve to the content of the Logical Memory stories, 6 LMDR items were correctly endorsed above chance probabilities. These 6 rarely missed items significantly discriminated 51 patients with neurological impairment from 36 volunteers who attempted to feign head injury and poor cognitive performance. A weighted combination of the 6 items was summed to form a single Rarely Missed Index (RMI). The RMI accurately classified over 98% of participants and demonstrated high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (100%) in discriminating between analog malingerers and patients. Because the RMI is calculated directly from the LMDR items, it has the advantage of requiring no additional administration time or materials, and thus may serve as a quick screen for dissimulation that can be obtained without additional testing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)761-771
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
Volume22
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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