Construct validity of the d-kefs sorting test: standard and non-standard administration with a non-clinical undergraduate sample

Construct validity of the d-kefs sorting test: standard and non-standard administration with a non-clinical undergraduate sample. (2015). Construct validity of the d-kefs sorting test: standard and non-standard administration with a non-clinical undergraduate sample.

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Title	Construct validity of the d-kefs sorting test: standard and non-standard administration with a non-clinical undergraduate sample
Abstract	This study had three major objectives: (a) to investigate the construct validity of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Sorting Test, (b) to investigate possible improvements to the construct validity by modifying administration instructions based on theoretical grounds, and (c) to explore utility of Sorting Test optional scores. Students in introductory psychology classes at a rural state university enrolled in the subject pool were sampled for this study (n=171). Participants ranged from 18-23 years old, were primarily freshman, and predominantly identified as White, non-Hispanic. Using this sample, the construct validity of the Sorting Test was not fully supported. Results were inconclusive regarding convergent validity; neither Confirmed Correct Sorts nor Free Sorting Description Score on the Sorting Test were significantly correlated with Categories Completed or Perseverative Responses on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), although Sort Recognition Description Score was significantly correlated with Categories Completed, r=.51, and Perseverative Responses, r=-.49 (all ps<.005). Nonsignificant correlations between the Sorting Test and Color-Word Interference suggested adequate divergent validity; however neither the WCST nor Letter Fluency yielded similar nonsignificant correlations with Color-Word Interference. Correlation of the Sorting Test with Letter Fluency and WCST was significantly decreased under two experimental manipulations of task instructions. A Minimal Instruction condition generated a larger decrease than did a Feedback condition. Significant correlation of the Sorting Test, Letter Fluency, or WCST with Color-Word was not present in either experimental condition. This represented a change from the Control condition in which Color-Word was significantly correlated with Letter Fluency, r=.36, Categories Completed, r=.37, and Perseverative Responses, r=-.38 (all ps <.008). No significant correlations were found between Set-Loss Sorts on the Sorting Test and Failure to Maintain Set on the WCST under either experimental condition. Results suggested that the Sorting Test was not sufficient to replace the WCST as a measure of executive function associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Theoretically derived alternative administrations significantly diminished the correlation between the two tests, suggesting that current administration instructions are adequate.
Date	2015

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Title: Construct validity of the d-kefs sorting test: standard and non-standard administration with a non-clinical undergraduate sample
Personal Name(s): Collins, Sunshine M.
LaPorte, David J.
Corporate Name(s): Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Psychology.
Note: Publisher info.: Dissertation/Thesis.
Advisors: LaPorte, David J. Committee members: William Farrell; William Meil.
Topical Subject(s): Neurosciences
Statistics
Clinical psychology