Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Accuracy in psychological evaluation and diagnosis relies heavily on the self-report of those being assessed. Consequently, the person who feigns or exaggerates cognitive, physical or psychological impairment, known as malingering, can present significant challenges in such situations. Research on malingering has focused primarily on improving detection of the behavior, resulting in the development of a number of effective assessment measures. However, much less research attention has been paid to increasing our understanding of the primary motivations underlying attempts to feign. As such, our understanding of why people malinger and what factors most strongly influence their decisions is quite limited. In order to replicate and extend the findings of previous research, this study examined the effects of psychopathic personality features, context (i.e., setting), and incentives (i.e., potential positive and negative outcomes of a situation) on participants' beliefs they would malinger in various hypothetical situations. This study also examined which of these factors was most influential in this process. Two hundred fourteen participants read case vignettes reflecting high or low levels of incentives in each of three contexts (forensic, military, and medical) and completed questionnaires assessing their beliefs they would malinger in these situations. Participants also completed the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI). PPI scores were significantly correlated with participants' rated likelihood of malingering, the level of effort participants felt they would put into malingering, and the extent to which participants felt they could benefit from malingering. Although no effect for incentives was found, context significantly impacted likelihood of malingering, the level of effort employed in malingering, and the perceived benefit of malingering. Results are discussed in terms of the relationship between personality and situational variables with regards to malingering, and suggestions are made regarding future research in this area.
Recommended Citation
Rae, Thomas Earl, "A Comparison Of The Effects Of Psychopathic Personality Features, Context And Incentives On Individuals' Beliefs They Would Malinger" (2008). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 928.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/928