Validity and Reliability of the Hooper Visual Organization Test

Abstract

To assess the validity and reliability of the Hooper Visual Organization Test, 68 Ss, of whom 16 were clinically and psychometrically determined to be suffering from organic brain damage, 19 had functional disorders, and 33 were without organic or functional disorders (normal), were given the test. The instrument was shown to be reliable ( r = .80), however, clear-cut discriminations between groups were not achieved. There were significant differences in scores of normal and damaged groups, functional and damaged Ss, but not functional and normal Ss. The qualitative signs said to aid in differentiations were totally absent from all protocols. Performance was affected in part by IQ and other aspects of recognition of meaning. There was a 19% false negative rate for the functionals and a 51% false positive rate for normals. The conclusion was that this device is of dubious clinical value.