Dynamic testing in schizophrenia: does training change the construct validity of a test?
Dynamic testing typically involves specific interventions for a test to assess the extent to which test performance can be modified, beyond level of baseline (static) performance. This study used a dynamic version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) that is based on cognitive remediation techniques within a test-training-test procedure. From results of previous studies with schizophrenia patients, we concluded that the dynamic and static versions of the WCST should have different construct validity. This hypothesis was tested by examining the patterns of correlations with measures of executive functioning, secondary verbal memory, and verbal intelligence. Results demonstrated a specific construct validity of WCST dynamic (i.e., posttest) scores as an index of problem solving (Tower of Hanoi) and secondary verbal memory and learning (Auditory Verbal Learning Test), whereas the impact of general verbal capacity and selective attention (Verbal IQ, Stroop Test) was reduced. It is concluded that the construct validity of the test changes with dynamic administration and that this difference helps to explain why the dynamic version of the WCST predicts functional outcome better than the static version.
Wiedl
Karl H
KH
Department of Psychology, University of Osnabrück, Germany. Wiedl@uni-osnabrueck.de
Schöttke
Henning
H
Green
Michael F
MF
Nuechterlein
Keith H
KH
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*