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Psychiatric norms for the Rey 15-item Visual Memory Test
J R Hays1, J Emmons, K A Lawson
1University of Texas Medical School, Health Science Center, Houston 77225-0249.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Rey's 15-item Visual Memory Test scores in psychiatric patients are significantly influenced by cognitive ability, not just malingering. Ability-based norms are crucial for accurate interpretation of visual memory assessment results.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Rey's 15-item Visual Memory Test (VMT) was developed to detect malingering.
- Previous interpretations overlooked the significant cognitive component of the VMT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide ability-based norms for the VMT in a psychiatric patient population.
- To re-evaluate the VMT's utility in assessing visual memory and malingering.
Main Methods:
- Administered the VMT to 300 psychiatric patients.
- Analyzed the relationship between VMT scores and cognitive ability (IQ).
- Developed ability-based norms for VMT performance.
Main Results:
- Intelligence Quotient (IQ) accounted for 37% of the variance in VMT scores (r = .60).
- A single cut-off score for malingering is psychometrically inappropriate.
- The VMT has utility for immediate visual memory assessment when using ability-based norms.
Conclusions:
- VMT scores in psychiatric patients are heavily influenced by cognitive ability.
- Ability-based norms are essential for appropriate interpretation of VMT results.
- The VMT is best utilized for assessing immediate visual memory with these new norms.