Incremental validity of the Ego Impairment Index: A re-examination of Dawes (1999).

This article examined the incremental validity of the Ego Impairment Index (EII), a Rorschach measure of cognition, perception, and reasoning. R. M. Dawes (1999) borrowed 2 previously published data sets to assess the incremental validity of the EII. Dawes determined that in order for the EII to be considered a valid measure, the overall EII score should "outperform" 2 of the variables that compose the index. Using this approach, Dawes reported that the EII had "deficient" (p?=?.059) incremental validity. In this study, the incremental validity of the EII was re-examined using 1 of the data sets used by R. M. Dawes (1999). Applying the same strategy as Dawes, the author tested the incremental validity of the EII in predicting positive symptoms of schizophrenia, a more appropriate and clinically relevant criterion measure of impairment. The EII significantly predicted positive symptoms (p?     

Introduction to the special section on construct validity of psychological tests: 50 years after Cronbach and Meehl (1955).

The middle of the 20th century was a very exciting time to be in the field of clinical psychology and, especially, assessment psychology. Seminal publications during that time clarified the then novel distinction between hypothetical constructs and intervening variables (MacCorquodale & Meehl, 1948), elucidated the concept of construct validity (Cronbach & Meehl, 1955), and described a methodology for estimating convergent and discriminant validity of measures of constructs and the role of variance due to common methods in the associations among measures of similar and different constructs (Campbell & Fiske, 1959). These articles have been the bedrock of clinical psychological and personality psychology assessment since that time. The year 2005 marks the 50th anniversary of Cronbach and Meehl's (1955) article "Construct Validity in Psychological Tests." A submission last year by Smith (2005b) struck me as an excellent time to honor the signal contributions of these psychologists of the last century through consideration particularly of the article by Cronbach and Meehl. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meaning is where the action is: Response to Summers (2001).

Responds to the article by F. Summers (see record 2001-05473-001) on therapeutic action as the creation of meaning. The author emphasizes his view that a source of the therapeutic action of the psychoanalytic interpretations is to be found in the patient's meaning-making. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Development and validation of a brief form of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire": Correction to Patrick et al. (2002).

Reports an error in "Development and validation of a brief form of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire" by Christopher J. Patrick, John J. Curtin and Auke Tellegen (Psychological Assessment, 2002[Jun], Vol 14[2], 150-163). On page 154, in Table 1, the MPQ-BF column for the "Has a happy disposition" item (second row) under the Wellbeing scale incorrectly reads "26, 97, 31, 104." The correct numbers are 26, 97, 32, 104. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2002-13339-004.) The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; A. Tellegen, 1982, in press) provides for a comprehensive analysis of personality at both the lower order trait and broader structural levels. Its higher order dimensions of Positive Emotionality, Negative Emotionality, and Constraint embody affect and temperament constructs, which have been conceptualized in psychobiological terms. The MPQ thus holds considerable potential as a structural framework for investigating personality across varying levels of analysis, and this potential would be enhanced by the availability of an abbreviated version. This article describes efforts to develop and validate a brief (155-item) form, the MPQ-BF. Success was evidenced by uniformly high correlations between the brief- and full-form trait scales and consistency of higher order structures. The MPQ-BF is recommended as a tool for investigating the genetic, neurobiological, and psychological substrates of personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biased estimators, biased experts, and the ivory tower: A reply to Grove (2001).

This reply responds to W. M. Grove's (2001) critique of H. O. F. Veiel and R. F. Koopman's (2001) article on bias in widely used methods of estimating premorbid IQ. In this reply, the authors show that Grove is misrepresenting part of Veiel and Koopman's arguments, extending them to show that the proposed adjustment to regression estimates of IQ not only is unbiased but also is the maximum-likelihood estimate of the true IQ, and argue that Grove's notion of the acceptability of biased methods in judicial proceedings reflects a fundamental misapprehension of their nature and purpose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnostic validity of the Eppendorf Schizophrenia Inventory (ESI): A self-report screen for ultrahigh risk and acute psychosis: Correction to Niessen et al. (2010).

Reports an error in Diagnostic validity of the Eppendorf Schizophrenia Inventory (ESI): A self-report screen for ultrahigh risk and acute psychosis by Maurice A. J. Niessen, Peter M. A. J. Dingemans, Reinaud van de Fliert, Hiske E. Becker, Dorien H. Nieman and Don Linszen (Psychological Assessment, 2010[Dec], Vol 22[4], 935-944). In the first full paragraph, the references to the numbers in Table 5 are incorrect in the sentence that begins We then proceeded with calculating accuracy measures.... A corrected version of the sentence is presented in the erratum. Also presented in the erratum are corrections to variables mentioned elsewhere in the article. The aforementioned changes are very small and do not in any way affect the findings of the research. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-24850-009.) Providers of mental health services need tools to screen for acute psychosis and ultrahigh risk (UHR) for transition to psychosis in help-seeking individuals. In this study, the Eppendorf Schizophrenia Inventory (ESI) was examined as a screening tool and for its ability to correctly predict diagnostic group membership (e.g., help seeking, mild psychiatric complaints, highly symptomatic mood or anxiety disorder, UHR, acute psychosis). Diagnostic evaluation with established instruments was used for diagnosis in 3 research samples. UHR status was assessed with the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms/Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (Miller et al., 1999) and the Bonn Scale for the Assessment of Basic Symptoms Prediction list (Gross, Huber, Klosterk?tter, & Linz, 1987; Klosterk?tter, Hellmich, Steinmeyer, & Schulze-Lutter, 2001). This study showed that members of different diagnostic groups rate themselves significantly differently on the ESI and its subscales. A new subscale was constructed, the UHR–Psychosis scale, that showed good utility in detecting individuals with interview-diagnosed UHR status and acute psychosis. The scale is also sensitive to the threshold between UHR and acute psychosis. Practical applications of the ESI include use as a diagnostic tool within various settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The practice of forensic psychology: A look toward the future in light of the past": Comment on Otto and Heilbrun (2002).

Comments on the article by R. K. Otto and K. Heilbrun (see record 2002-10575-001) discussing the state of the field of forensic psychology. The current author objects to what he perceives as Otto and Heilbrun's attempt to discredit all but closely protected American Psychological Association (APA) affiliated organizations, and their subsequent biased comments based on poor research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Multiple Motives Approach to Tobacco Dependence: The Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM-68).

The dependence construct fills an important explanatory role in motivational accounts of smoking and relapse. Frequently used measures of dependence are either atheoretical or grounded in a unidimensional model of physical dependence. This research creates a multidimensional measure of dependence that is based on theoretically grounded motives for drug use and is intended to reflect mechanisms underlying dependence. Data collected from a large sample of smokers (N = 775) indicated that all 13 subscales of the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM-68) have acceptable internal consistency, are differentially present across levels of smoking heaviness, and have a multidimensional structure. Validity analyses indicated the WISDM-68 subscales are significantly related to dependence criteria such as smoking heaviness and to 4th edition Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders symptoms of dependence and relapse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the adequacy of the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT): A reply to Snart, Dennis, and Brailsford.

Replies to comments by Snart, Dennis, and Brailsford (see record 1984-02928-001) voicing concerns about the validity of the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT). They have concluded that the WRAT overestimates the performance of Canadian children. They have also noted that the WRAT measures only word recognition and that word recognition is overemphasized as a measure of "reading." The present author addresses what are seen to be "fundamental" problems with their arguments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Protecting the integrity of Rorschach expert witnesses: A reply to Grove and Barden (1999) re: The admissibility of testimony under Daubert/Kumho analyses.

The Rorschach Comprehensive System has been considered by W. M. Grove and R. C. Barden (1999) as inadmissible for expert psychological testimony according to the guidelines from the Daubert (1993), Joiner (1997), and Kumho (1999) decisions. This article refutes W. M. Grove and R. C. Barden's conclusions, arguing that the Rorschach Comprehensive System is (a) testable, (b) valid and reliable, (c) extensively peer reviewed, (d) associated with a reasonable error rate, (e) standardized, (f) accepted by a relevant and substantial scientific community, and (g) appropriate for a wide range of forensic issues. In drawing their negative conclusions, W. A Grove and R. C. Barden overlooked or minimized a substantial body of empirical data supporting the reliability and validity of the Rorschach Comprehensive System and misinterpreted the language and intent of the Supreme Court decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A realistic approach to drawing conclusions from the scientific literature: Response to Bonanno and Lilienfeld (2008).

Replies to comments made by G. A. Bonanno and S. O. Lilienfeld (see record 2008-07318-017), which commented on the original article by D. Larson and W. Hoyt (see record #200711559-003) for what Bonanno and Lilienfeld believe are inaccurate conclusions regarding the empirical literature on grief counseling. In the brief space allotted for this response, the authors correct several mischaracterizations of our conclusions and note points of agreement between their actual conclusions, including those partially quoted by Bonanno and Lilienfeld, and their own stated views about grief counseling. The authors elaborate on their earlier discussion about how researchers and practitioners can draw valid conclusions from the empirical literature and what factors add to their confidence about these conclusions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shaping the Future of Psychological Services in the Canadian Health-Care System: A Response to Romanow and Marchildon (2003).

Our response to Romanow and Marchildon's article (see record 2003-09748-001) on the role of psychology in the Canadian health-care system focuses on two challenges that emerge from the article, namely the continuing marginalization of mental health services and the dominance of political considerations over compelling scientific evidence for the impact of psychological services on health and recovery from illness. We conclude our comment with calls for (a) continuing efforts to educate policymakers, the media, and Canadians about the value of psychological services and (b) active involvement from psychologists in efforts to develop new models of primary health care in Canada. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Discrepancy in Analyses of the MSCEIT--Resolving the Mystery and Understanding Its Implications: A Reply to Gignac (2005).

Replies to comments made by G. E. Gignac (see record 2005-06671-010) on the current authors' original article (see record 2003-02341-015). Gignac reanalyzed the factor structure of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and found results that differed from those the authors obtained initially. The authors tracked down the surprising sources of those discrepancies. G. E. Gignac's hierarchical model of emotional intelligence appears promising, and the authors anticipate that further investigations of the MSCEIT factor structure may yield additional information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)