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Making Sure Neuropsychological Data Are Meaningful: Use of Performance Validity Testing in Medicolegal and Clinical Contexts

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Abstract

Performance validity testing (PVT) is a standard of practice in situations where there are prominent secondary gain issues; however, it is suggested that their use may benefit neuropsychological evaluations in clinical contexts, as engagement in neuropsychological evaluations can affect the validity of testing and can occur for a variety of reasons outside of secondary gain issues. Several methods of embedded index development, as well as methods to combine them are discussed, including issues related to use of multiple indices. The potential limitations to administration of multiple indices are also explored. It is suggested that neuropsychological evaluations can benefit from PVT in regular clinical practice to assist with reaching firmer diagnostic conclusions by assuring test result validity.

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Conflict of Interest

All three authors (Schutte, Axelrod, and Montoya) of this manuscript declare that they have no conflict of interest in authoring this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. J.D. Dingell VAMC, 4646 John R., Detroit, MI, USA

    Christian Schutte & Bradley N. Axelrod

  2. Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, 26W171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL, USA

    Eduardo Montoya

Authors
  1. Christian Schutte
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  2. Bradley N. Axelrod
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  3. Eduardo Montoya
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Correspondence to Christian Schutte.

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Gerald Young served as Action Editor for this paper

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Schutte, C., Axelrod, B.N. & Montoya, E. Making Sure Neuropsychological Data Are Meaningful: Use of Performance Validity Testing in Medicolegal and Clinical Contexts. Psychol. Inj. and Law 8, 100–105 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12207-015-9225-3

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