FACTOR ANALYSIS OF THE LURIA-NEBRASKA NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL BATTERY - CHILDREN'S REVISION
Abstract
In this investigation, the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery-Children's Revision (LNNB-CR) was submitted to principal component factor analysis. Seven hundred nineteen LNNB-CR protocols of normal, brain damaged, psychiatric, leukemic, learning disabled and neurologically suspect children were utilized in the factor analysis. The decision to stop factor extraction after 17 factors was guided by the use of three methods of factor limitation. The 17 LNNB-CR factors were submitted to equamax rotation to make the factors more interpretable. Inspection of the factor structure revealed factors which were largely interpretable according to A. R. Luria's theory. Factors which represent item groupings within and between the LNNB-CR Clinical Scales emerged. A large first factor involving reading and academic skills was considered to be a measure of verbal ability similar to the verbal intelligence factors found on the WISC-R and Stanford-Binet. Unlike measures of intelligence however, more discrete factors measuring motor, tactile, expressive and receptive speech skills also emerged. The implications of an empirical approach to cognitive rehabilitation based upon the factor structure and Luria's emphasis on individualized programing are discussed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
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