Detecting dissimulation on the PAI: Incremental validity of response latencies to the impression management scales of a computer-administered Personality Assessment Inventory
Abstract
An investigation was made into the detection abilities of response latencies for items on a computerized version of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991), to differentiate between dissimulators (both malingerers and defensive responders) and honest responders. Malingerers faked "depression". Defensive responders faked the "perfect personality". Coaching, and incentives for avoiding detection were given. It was hypothesized that both groups of dissimulators would respond, on average, significantly longer when compared with honest responders. It was also hypothesized that malingerers would take longer, on average, to respond to items on the PAI Depression scale than to all other items. The final hypothesis investigated the incremental validity of response latencies in the detection of dissimulation, between honest responders and malingerers or defensive responders respectively, when used in conjunction with the PAI impression management scales (NIM & PIM.), compared with the use of each of these scales alone. "Read time" deduction was a major factor in response latency determination. None of the hypotheses was supported. Significant differences in responses latencies were found between the three experimental groups, but in the opposite direction to the ones hypothesized. Supplementary analyses indicated that within-subject ratios of response latencies could have incremental value in the detection of dissimulation, and be more effective than mean group ratios. This method would also facilitate clinical applications. Further research is suggested to determine effective ratios.
Subject Area
Personality|Psychological tests
Recommended Citation
Dunsmoir, Beryl Alice, "Detecting dissimulation on the PAI: Incremental validity of response latencies to the impression management scales of a computer-administered Personality Assessment Inventory" (1995). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI9613852.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI9613852
