Cognitive Functioning Tests
Elizabeth Warrington has conducted many ground breaking experiments and developed many cognitive functioning tests to measure a patient's cognitive abilities throughout her career. Warrington’s work is often credited with helping shape the basis of modern day cognitive psychology. Many of Warrington’s tests are still used today.
One of her most influential experiments is the Visual Object and Space Perception Battery, or the VOSP. This test was designed by Elizabeth Warrington and Merele James in 1991. The VOSP is used to help determine whether or not a lesion in the brain is causing impairments to object and space perception. This test limits other cognitive functions in order to assess certain aspects of object and space perception. The VOSP consists of eight untimed tests that are usually administered at a pace suitable for that particular patient. After completing eight tests, the scores are then compared to the scores of patients with right and left-cerebral lesions. This experiment is commonly used by psychologists today and has been featured in over 250 publications. The VOSP can be purchased from most online bookstores for around the price of 230.00 USD.>
Another test that is still in use is the Verbal and Spatial Reasoning Test also known as VESPAR. VESPAR is a test that was designed by Elizabeth Warrington and Dawn W. Langdon in 1996. VESPAR is a reasoning test that presents a fairly new approach in how reasoning tests are performed. This test is designed to measure the fluid intelligence in neurological patients. This test is unique in that it offers more accuracy than any other test available for this type of measurement. VESPAR is divided into six sections. There are three matched sets of verbal and spatial reasoning problems, where each is dedicated to one of three forms of inductive reasoning. This includes odd one out, by analogy, and series completion. VESPAR is able to overcome many restraints that arise when performing more conventional reasoning tests by using stimuli that is more readily accessed by patients who suffer from physical or cognitive impairments due to neurological illness. VESPAR does not use timing to help evaluate performance, instead it uses high frequency stimulus words or visually distinct spatial stimuli to help determine its results. VESPAR has a multiple choice format. This format has been adopted to reduce both short term memory load and output demands on the patient. The assessment of patients for neurodiagnostic and neurorehabilitation needs will be facilitated. VESPAR only requires the patient to do simple pointing gestures. The spatial section of the test measures the fluid intelligence of patients with aphasia. The verbal section does the same for patients with visual and spatial problems. VESPAR focuses more the instinctive ability of a patient, rather than educational experience. Thus, although originally developed for adult neurological populations, the test is suitable for a wide range of clinical, educational, occupational, and research applications. This test is also available for purchase at most online bookstores.
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