Date of Award

2017

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Poreh, Amir

Subject Headings

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

The present study examined the construct validity of a novel nonverbal memory measure, the Poreh Nonverbal Memory Test (PNMT), using a heterogeneous sample of patients with epilepsy. Results from this study shows that the PNMT differentially correlated with existing memory measures. Namely, the PNMT delay scores significantly correlated with ROCF delay scores, and RAVLT delay and ROCF delay scores were significantly correlated with each other. However, the PNMT did not significantly correlate with RAVLT, which was hypothesized. PNMT and RAVLT learning trials produced logarithmic learning curves that indicate both are good measures of learning. When controlling for gender, education, and ethnicity confounds, results show PNMT delay, ROCF copy, RAVLT Post-Interference, RAVLT delay, and RAVLT total all significantly correlate with location of epilepsy (right, left, and bilateral). Unfortunately, sensitivity and specificity were not able to be analyzed based on the self-report localization of the patient’s seizures. When examining global versus local features of the ROCF, ROCF Copy Global features significantly correlates with location of epilepsy. Some limitations include age, gender, education, and ethnicity confounds, lack of access to medical charts to determine right, left, or bilateral epilepsy, and the small sample size. Overall, the PNMT provides an alternate method for nonverbal memory assessment and is able to differentiate between right and left hemispheric damage, similarly to the ROCF.

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