Factor analysis of three standardised tests of memory in a clinical population (abstract)

Hunkin, N M, Stone, J V, Isaac, C L, Holdstock, J S, Butterfield, R, Wallis, L I and Mayes, A R (2000)

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the factor structure of three standardised memory tests: Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), Warrington Recognition Memory Test (WRMT), Doors and People Test (D&P). We investigated whether these different standardised tests of memory are consistent in their evaluation of memory function, and the extent to which these tests discriminate between different memory functions (eg recall/recognition and verbal/non-verbal memory).

Design

Fifty patients with selective memory impairment were tested on the WMS-R, WRMT and D&P.

Methods

Age-scaled scores from selective measures of these tests (WMS-R-verbal, WMS-R-visual, WMS-R-delay, WRMT-words, WRMT-faces, D&P-people, D&P-doors, D&P-shapes, D&P-names) were used as input to a factor analysis.

Results

Maximum likelihood factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution consistent with a theoretically motivated fractionation of memory function into recall and recognition components. Recognition performance, but not recall performance, showed dissociation into visual and verbal components.

Conclusions

The WMS-R, WRMT and D&P are highly consistent in their assessment of memory function. The results of the factor analysis are consistent with a theoretically motivated fractionation of recall and recognition memory. They are also partially consistent with a dissociation between visual and verbal memory function.