Validation of the Affective Word List as a Measure of Verbal Learning and Memory
Open Access
- Author:
- Meyer, Jessica Elaine
- Graduate Program:
- Psychology
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- October 07, 2013
- Committee Members:
- Peter Andrew Arnett, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
- Keywords:
- Concussion
Memory
Validation - Abstract:
- A major issue in concussion research is the lack of a consistent post-concussion cognitive profile. Great variability is seen in the mechanisms of injury, the presentation of symptoms, and the recovery from concussion. While no consistent post-concussive cognitive profile has emerged from the literature, the areas of verbal learning and memory are frequently found to be impacted by concussion. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Affective Word List (AWL), a new measure of verbal learning and memory. The AWL was developed to assess affective bias in order to overcome the tendency of some examinees to minimize self-report of depression symptoms. Because it is designed as a traditional list learning task, the AWL has the potential to additionally be used as a measure of verbal learning and memory. It was hypothesized that the AWL would be a valid and reliable measure of verbal learning and memory and would be more sensitive to the effects of concussion than currently used measures of verbal learning and memory (HVLT-R and ImPACT). Results of this study supported these hypotheses, showing that the AWL demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability, moderate convergent validity with other measures of verbal learning and memory and strong discriminant validity with measures of processing speed and reaction time. The AWL was found to be comparably sensitive to the cognitive effects of concussion as the ImPACT Verbal Memory Composite and the HVLT-R.