title: Effects of a significant-other observer on neuropsychological test performance.
abstract: The present study examined the effects of a third-party observer on neuropsychological test performance in a sample of 30 university students seeking evaluation for learning disability. A significant-other (defined as a parent, sibling, close friend, spouse, or partner) observed portions of a neuropsychological testing session. Subjects were administered a battery of tests, including seven repeatable measures, chosen to assess diverse neuropsychological functions. In the presence of an observer, performance deficits were found on tests of attention, speed of information processing, and verbal fluency. An observer had no effect on tests of cognitive flexibility or motor speed. Our results suggest that the validity of test results may be compromised by the presence of an observer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, United States of America.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kehrer
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: U J
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Habif
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Townes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results