Factor analysis of three standardized tests of memory in a clinical population.
The aim of this study was to determine the factor structure of three standardized memory tests: Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), Warrington Recognition Memory Test (WRMT), Doors and People Test (D&P). We investigated whether these different standardized tests of memory are consistent in their evaluation of memory function, and the extent to which these tests discriminate between different memory functions (e.g. recall/recognition and verbal/non-verbal memory).



Fifty patients with selective memory impairment were tested on the WMS-R, WRMT and D&P.



Age-scaled scores from selective measures of these tests (WMS-R-verbal, WMS-R-visual, WMS-R-delay, WRMT-words, WRMT-faces, D&P-people, D&P-doors, D&P-shapes, D&P-names) were used as input to a factor analysis.



Maximum likelihood factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution consistent with a theoretically motivated fractionation of memory function into recall and recognition components. Recognition performance, but not recall performance, showed dissociation into visual and verbal components.



The WMS-R, WRMT and D&P are highly consistent in their assessment of memory function. The results of the factor analysis are consistent with a theoretically motivated fractionation of recall and recognition memory. They are also partially consistent with a dissociation between visual and verbal memory function.
Hunkin
N M
NM
Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Sheffield, UK. N.M.Hunkin@Sheffield.ac.uk
Stone
J V
JV
Isaac
C L
CL
Holdstock
J S
JS
Butterfield
R
R
Wallis
L I
LI
Mayes
A R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity