Effects of Serial Position on Bender-Gestalt Errors Using Koppitz's Criteria

Abstract

The validity of the Koppitz Developmental scoring system in identifying organic impairment among functionally impaired adolescents was challenged in the current study. It was proposed that there are two distinct subtypes of errors in this system: those that are valid indicators of organic impairment (Category A) and those which are not but occur as a function of specific emotional factors (Category B). 46 male adolescents with a primary diagnosis of Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were administered the Bender-Gestalt once using the standard order of administration and once in reverse order. It was hypothesized that more errors would be committed on cards presented later than those presented earlier in sequence for Category B but not Category A errors. Analysis provided partial support for this hypothesis.