title: Using the yes/no recognition response pattern to detect memory malingering.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Detection of feigned neurocognitive deficits is a challenge for neuropsychological assessment. We conducted two studies to examine whether memory malingering is characterized by an elevated proportion of false negatives during yes/no recognition testing and whether this could be a useful measure for assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study 1 examined 51 participants claiming compensation due to mental disorders, 51 patients with affective disorders not claiming compensation and 13 patients with established dementia. Claimants were sub-divided into suspected malingerers (n = 11) and non-malingerers (n = 40) according to the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM). In study 2, non-clinical participants were instructed to either malinger memory deficits due to depression (n = 20), or to perform normally (n = 20).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In study 1, suspected malingerers had more false negative responses on the recognition test than all other groups and false negative responding was correlated with Minnesota-Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) measures of deception. In study 2, using a cut-off score derived from the clinical study, the number of false negative responses on the yes/no recognition test predicted group membership with comparable accuracy as the TOMM, combining both measures yielded the best classification. Upon interview, participants suspected the TOMM more often as a malingering test than the yes/no recognition test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that many malingers adopt a strategy of exaggerated false negative responding on a yes/no recognition memory test. This differentiates them from both dementia and affective disorder, recommending false negative responses as an efficient and inconspicuous screening measure of memory malingering.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Psychologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany ; Fachbereich Psychologie, Universität Konstanz, Constance, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Psychologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kissler
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kühl
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hellweg
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany ; Epilepsiezentrum Berlin-Brandenburg, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bengner
keywords: Assessment; Dementia; Depression; Feigning; Learning and memory; Malingering/symptom validity testing