Previous studies have indicated that alcoholics with low learning potential perform more poorly on the Finnish WAIS Block Design than on the Digit Symbol. These alcoholics had deficits in mediated functions but not in elementary functions. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between these subtests in a larger group of alcoholics. A total of 179 Finnish alcoholics took part. A clear asymmetry was found between the tests, the Block Design being poorer than the Digit Symbol. The results are discussed in terms of basic questions concerning the nature and course of impairment.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BarronJ. H., and RussellE. W. (1992) Fluidity theory and neuropsychological impairment in alcoholism.Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 7, 175–188.
2.
ForsbergL. K., and GoldmanM. S. (1985) Experience-dependent recovery of visuospatial functioning in older alcoholic persons.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 94, 519–529.
3.
ForsbergL. K., and GoldmanM. S. (1987) Experience-dependent recovery of cognitive deficits in alcoholics: extended transfer of training.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 96, 345–353.
4.
GoldmanR. S., and GoldmanM. S. (1988) Experience-dependent cognitive recovery in alcoholics: a task component strategy.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 49, 142–148.
5.
GrantI. (1987) Alcohol and the brain: neuropsychological correlates.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 310–324.
6.
KaufmanA. S. (1990). Assessing adolescent and adult intelligence.Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
7.
LongmoreB. E., KnightR. G., MenkesD. J., and HopeA. (1988) The experimental investigation of a case of alcohol-induced frontal lobe atrophy.Neuropsychology, 2, 77–86.
8.
MillerW. R., and OrrJ. (1980) Nature and sequence of neuropsychological deficits in alcoholics.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 41, 325–337.
9.
MilnerB., and PetridesM. (1984) Behavioral effects of frontal lobe lesions in man.Trends in Neuroscience, 7, 403–407.
10.
MosherF. A., and HornsbyJ. R. (1966) On asking questions. In BrunerJ. S., OlverR. R., & GreenfieldP. (Eds.), Studies in cognitive growth.New York: Wiley. Pp. 87–102.
11.
OlverR. R., and HornsbyJ. R. (1966) On equivalence. In BrunerJ. S., OlverR. R., & GreenfieldP. (Eds.), Studies in cognitive growth.New York: Wiley. Pp. 69–85.
12.
ParsonsO. A., and FarrS. P. (1981) The neuropsychology of alcohol and drug abuse. In FilskovS. B., & BollT. J. (Eds.), Handbook of clinical neuropsychology. Vol. 1. New York: Wiley. Pp. 320–365.
13.
ParsonsO. A., and LeberW. R. (1981) The relationship between cognitive dysfunction and brain damage in alcoholics: causal, interactive or epiphenomenal?Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 5, 326–343.
14.
RavenJ. C., CourtJ. H., and RavenJ. (1983). Manual for Raven's Progressive Matrices and Vocabulary Scales: Section 4, Advanced Progressive Matrices, Sets I and II. London: H. K. Lewis.
15.
RoyerF. L. (1971) Information processing of visual figures in the Digit Symbol substitution task.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 87, 335–342.
16.
SaarnioP. K. (1992) Measuring the learning potential of abstinent alcoholics.Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 30, 199–207.
17.
SaarnioP. K. (1993) Question-asking strategies in abstinent alcoholics: a study of learning potential.Alcohol & Alcoholism, 28, 585–592.
18.
SaarnioP. K. (in press) A comparative study of dynamic and static testing in abstinent alcoholics.Journal of Clinical Psychology.
19.
SelzerM. L., VinokurA., & van RooijenL. (1975) A self-administered Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST).Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 36, 117–126.
20.
SpelbergH. C. L. (1987) Problem-solving strategies on the block-design task.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 65, 99–104.
21.
StussD. T., and BensonD. F. (1986). The frontal lobes.New York: Raven.
22.
TarterR. E. (1973) An analysis of cognitive deficits in chronic alcoholics.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 157, 138–147.
23.
TarterR. E. (1980) Brain damage in chronic alcoholics: a review of the psychological evidence. In RichterD. (Ed.), Addiction and brain damage.London: Croom Helm. Pp. 267–297.
24.
VaillantG. E. (1983). The natural history of alcoholism.Cambridge, MA: Harvard Univer. Press.
