McLean, Tracy (2010) Comparing Verbal Memory Measures: WMS-IV versus RAVLT. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Whilst the Wechsler Memory Scales (WMS) are the most widely used memory measures in Australia many clinicians choose to add additional measures to standard batteries to capture a wider scope of memory abilities. This flexible approach to assessment creates a need for modified test combinations to be evaluated to ensure they meet the psychometric and practical requirements of clinical practice. This exploratory study examined the relationship between three verbal memory measures, with the aim of enhancing the clinical utility of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Fourth Edition (WMS-IV). The Logical Memory (LM) and Verbal Paired Associates (VPA) subtests from the recently revised WMS-IV, and Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were administered to a normal sample of 44 participants recruited by a convenience sampling design. This study explored two alternate models to potentially represent the Auditory Memory Index of the WMS-Fourth Edition (WMS-IV). The first model examined the feasibility of administering a short-form including the Logical Memory subtests as a single measure of verbal memory. The second model substituted the RAVLT with the VPA subtests and examined the potential of administering the LM subtests and the RAVLT as a revised composite measure of verbal memory. Research indicates that the RAVLT test design allows a multitude of analyses that contribute to the test’s ability to identify verbal memory impairments. The RAVLT purports to be a cost effective and easily administered measure of verbal learning and memory. A correlational analysis revealed the RAVLT and VPA measures demonstrated a strong relationship with between 55% and 73% shared variance, while the RAVLT and LM measures shared a much weaker relationship with only 10% shared variance. Based on these findings the RAVLT was considered as a suitable replacement for the VPA subtests. A reliable approach to psychological testing (RAPT) methodology was used to compare the proposed short-form and the model comprising of LM and RAVLT. Of the two models, the composite including the LM and RAVLT boasted superior reliabilities and a better ability to capture accurate representations of verbal memory performance. In contrast, the short-form revealed a tendency to overestimate verbal memory abilities. The findings of the current study provide a solid alternative to clinicians who need to supplement the WMS-IV with a cost effective word list learning measure. Future research is suggested to trial the revised composite (AMI-R) in clinical populations to strengthen the findings of this study.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Douglas, Lucille |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Jan 2026 06:30 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Jan 2026 06:30 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52567 |
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