Detection of feigned cognitive dysfunction using special malinger tests: a simulation study in naïve and coached...

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Forensic Psychology

Background:

• Malingering cognitive dysfunction is a significant challenge in clinical and forensic settings.
• Accurate detection of feigned symptoms is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
• Existing assessment tools vary in their ability to detect malingering under different conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the accuracy of the Amsterdam Short Term Memory (ASTM) test and the Structured Inventory of the Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) in detecting feigned cognitive dysfunction.
• To evaluate the impact of coaching on the detection rates of both tests.
• To assess the tests' performance in differentiating between genuine and simulated cognitive impairment.

Main Methods:

• Ninety undergraduate students participated in the study.
• Participants were assigned to three groups: honest controls, naive malingerers, and coached malingerers.
• The Amsterdam Short Term Memory (ASTM) test and the Structured Inventory of the Malingered Symptomatology (SIMS) were administered to all participants.

Main Results:

• Both the ASTM and SIMS correctly identified 90% of naive malingerers.
• The SIMS maintained a 90% detection rate for coached malingerers.
• The ASTM's accuracy decreased to 70% for coached malingerers, indicating a reduced ability to detect feigning after coaching.

Conclusions:

• Coaching significantly undermines the diagnostic accuracy of the ASTM in detecting feigned cognitive dysfunction.
• The SIMS demonstrates robust accuracy in detecting malingering, even when participants receive coaching.
• The SIMS appears to be a more reliable tool than the ASTM for identifying feigned cognitive deficits in potentially deceptive individuals.