Performance Validity and Malingering: Simple Detection Tools for Psychologists

Patients might feign cognitive impairment to get out of trouble, to gain attention/sympathy, for financial gain or other reasons. It is the responsibility of the psychologist conducting a psychological assessment, to know when and how to assess for invalid performance, and when and how to respond to it. Psychologists also need to know how to take into account demographic factors such as language and level and quality of education when selecting suitable cut-off scores, to avoid falsely accusing clients of performance invalidity or even worse, falsely accusing them of deliberately feigning impairment.

Course Content:

Learn how to detect invalid performance and symptoms in patients referred for:

• Brain injury assessments for personal injury and/or medical negligence claims;
• Disability assessments;
• ADHD assessments (with the aim of receiving stimulant medication);
• Criminal liability assessments;
• Competence to stand trial;
• Pain and fatigue-related medical disorders and
• Psychiatric assessments.

Find out:

• How common misperceptions of brain functioning can alert psychologists to feigned cognitive impairment;

• What behavioural signs should raise suspicion of invalid performance;
• If/how/from what age children can successfully feign cognitive impairment (and why);
• How language, level and quality of education affects performance validity tests; and
• Acceptable and unacceptable criteria for the conclusion of invalid performance and/or symptom exaggeration.

Receive tips on:

• Addressing suspected performance and symptom invalidity in reports;

• Giving feedback about suspected malingering/insufficient effort to patients and
• The importance of treating patients with respect despite suspected invalid performance.

Date: 1 November 2023

Place: Online via Microsoft Teams

Times: 09:00 – 17:00

Cost: R 1 380-00 (incl. VAT)

Who May Register: Clinical, Counselling, Educational and Research Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, psychometrists and psychology students

How to Register: Complete the registration form and submit it, with proof of payment.

Contact Details:
Contact person: Tanya Williams