Date of Award

1994

Publication Type

Doctoral Thesis

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Psychology

Keywords

Psychology, Clinical.

Supervisor

Rourke, Byron P.,

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

A series of three studies was conducted in order to continue investigations into the construct validity of a modified Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNB) in children. Factors of motor, psychomotor, visual-spatial, and language ability were investigated in two groups of learning-disabled children in order to determine: (1) their predictive validity; (2) the existence of a potential hierarchical arrangement of abilities within the motor and visual-spatial factors; and (3) the exact nature of the language factors. Results obtained from investigations of the predictive validity of the factors revealed that a combination of factors representing primary neuropsychological assets and deficits (as outlined in the NLD model proposed by Rourke, 1991) best discriminated between the groups and predicted group membership. Although the existence of a hierarchical arrangement of the motor and visual-spatial factors could not be fully established, there was partial evidence to suggest that these factors of cognitive functioning were arranged in a manner beginning with primary neurocognitive skills followed by measures demanding more integrative (and complex) processing abilities. Investigation into the nature of the language factors revealed that at least two different areas of verbal ability are assessed by the modified version of the HRNB in children. The first factor represents those more rote, overlearned language skills, whereas the second factor measures novel language processing, including auditory perception and phonemic analysis. The results obtained from these three studies were discussed with respect to the NLD model and results obtained from earlier research. Implications for remediation were presented as were suggestions for future research in this area.Dept. of Psychology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1994 .H355. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-11, Section: B, page: 6391. Adviser: Byron P. Rourke. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1994.

Share

COinS