Date of Award
Fall 11-27-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department/Program
Forensic Psychology
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Rebecca Weiss
Second Reader
Casey LaDuke
Third Advisor
Elizabeth Jeglic
Abstract
Performance validity tests (PVTs) are used alongside neuropsychological assessments to help detect suspect effort. One of the most widely used PVTs, the Reliable Digit Span (RDS), and its latest version, the RDS-revised (RDS-R), have been widely accepted as valid and reliable within the general population. However, as the United States becomes increasingly globalized, questions arise regarding the validity of language-based tests such as the RDS and RDS-R amongst English-Spanish bilingual populations. This study used a within-subject design with 28 bilingual undergraduate students, testing them on the Digit Span (the test that RDS results are based on) in both English and Spanish to determine whether one’s language proficiency impacted failure rates in one language versus another. Results demonstrated significant differences in overall syllable load for each language, indicating that the test is more cognitively challenging in Spanish than in English. Despite significant differences in performance on the RDS and RDS-R based on the language of administration, these differences were insufficient to result in significant discrepancies in classification. However, a nonsignificant trend suggested that a similar analysis conducted with a larger sample might produce significant differences in classification rates. Acculturation did not factor into PVT performance. The results provide initial support for the use of the measure in either English or Spanish. However, before results are generalized, future research can consider replication of cutoff norms for bilinguals using larger and broader samples and more specific differences amongst varying bilingual populations.
Recommended Citation
Polinsky, Amy, "Linguistic Impact on the Use of the Reliable Digit Span for Performance Validity in a Sample of English-Spanish Bilingual Adults" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/303