Bender-Gestalt error scores were cluster analyzed for a large group of children and adolescents evaluated because of learning difficulties. The results indicated two subgroups; one had a relatively high percentage of Bender-Gestalt errors, while the other had a relatively low percentage of Bender-Gestalt errors. The subgroups were compared on medical, developmental and growth, social, and intelligence variables. Several significant differences were found, particularly on developmental variables. Results are discussed in terms of the clinical utility of Bender-Gestalt error scores and in relation to developmental neuropsychological theory.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Aram, D. M., Ekelman, B. L., Rose, D. F., & Whitaker, H. A. (1985). Verbal and cognitive sequelae following unilateral lesions acquired in early childhood. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 7, 55-78.
2.
Book, R. M. (1980). The identification of at-risk children during the Kindergarten year: A four-year follow-up study of group performance. Psychology in the Schools, 17, 153-158.
3.
Buckley, P. D. (1978). The Bender Gestalt Test: A review of reported research with school-age subjects 1966-1977. Psychology in the Schools, 3, 327-338.
4.
Clark, C., Crockett, D., Klonoff, H., & McDonald, J. (1983). Cluster analysis of the WAIS on brain-damaged patients. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 5, 149-158.
5.
Dennis, M. (1985). Intelligence after early brain injury II: Scores of subjects classified on the basis of medical history variables. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 7, 555-576.
6.
Doehring, D. G., & Hoshko, I. M. (1977). Classification of reading problems by Q-technique factor analysis. Cortex, 13, 281-294.
7.
Doehring, D. G., Hoshko, I. M., & Bryans, B. N. (1979). Statistical classification of children with reading problems. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1, 5-16.
8.
Elfred, C. A. (1973). Judgments of right side up and figure rotation by young children. Child Development, 44, 395-399.
9.
Fabian, A. A. (1945). Vertical rotation in visual-motor performance: Its relationship to reading reversals. Journal of Educational Psychology, 36, 129-154.
10.
Fabian, A. A. (1951). Clinical and experimental studies of school children who are retarded in reading. Quarterly Journal of Child Behavior, 3, 129-154.
11.
Fisk, J. L., & Rourke, B. P. (1979). Identification of subtypes of learning-disabled children at three age levels: A neuropsychological, multivariate approach. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1, 289-310.
12.
Hasazi, J. E., Allen, R. M., & Wohlford, P. (1971). Effects of mode of administration on Bender-Gestalt test performance of familial retardates. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 27, 360-362.
13.
Hutt, M. L. (1977). The Hutt adaptation of the Bender-Gestalt Test (3rd ed.). New York: Grune & Stratton.
14.
Keller, J. E. (1955). The use of the Bender-Gestalt maturation level scoring system with mentally handicapped children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 25, 563-573.
15.
Koppitz, E. M. (1966). The Bender-Gestalt test for young children. New York: Grune & Stratton.
16.
Koppitz, E. M. (1975). The Bender-Gestalt test for young children: Research and application, 1963-1973 (Vol. 2). New York: Grune & Stratton.
17.
Lyon, R., & Watson, B. (1981). Empirically derived subgroups of learning-disabled readers: Diagnostic characteristics. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 14, 256-261.
18.
McConnell, O. L. (1967). Koppitz' Bender-Gestalt scores in relation to organic and emotional problems in children. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 23, 370-374.
19.
McKay, M. F., & Neale, M. D. (1985). Predicting early school performance in reading and handwriting using major `error' categories from the Bender-Gestalt test for young children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 60, 647-654.
20.
Morris, R., Blashfield, R., & Satz, P. (1981). Neuropsychology and cluster analysis: Potential and problems. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 3, 79-99.
21.
Neale, M. D., & McKay, M. F. (1985). Scoring the Bender-Gestalt test using the Koppitz developmental system: Interrater reliability, item difficulty, and scoring implications. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 60, 627-636.
22.
Pascal, G. B., & Suttell, B. J. (1951). The Bender-Gestalt test: Its qualification and validity for adults. New York: Grune & Stratton.
23.
Peek, R. M., & Quast, W. A. (1951). A scoring system of the Bender-Gestalt test. Hastings, MN: Roland M. Peek.
24.
Petrauskas, R., & Rourke, B. P. (1979). Identification of subtypes of retarded readers: A neuropsychological, multivariate approach. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1, 17-37.
25.
Rao, A. V., & Potash, H. M. (1985). Size factors on the Bender-Gestalt test and their relation to trait anxiety and situationally induced anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 41, 834-838.
26.
Rourke, B. P. (1982). Central processing deficiencies in children: Toward a developmental neuropsychological model. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 4, 1-18.
27.
SAS Institute, Inc. (1985). SAS users guide: Statistics, version 5 edition. Cary, NC: SAS Institute.
28.
Snow, J. H., Cohen, M., & Holliman, W. B. (1985). Learning disability subgroups using cluster analysis of the WISC-R. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 4, 391-397.
29.
Snow, J. H., & Hynd, G. W. (1985). A multivariate investigation of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery-Children's Revision with learning-disabled children. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 3, 101-109.
30.
Snow, J. H., Koller, J. R., & Roberts, C. D. (1987). Adolescent and adult learning disability subgroups based on WAIS-R performance. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 5, 7-14.
31.
Spreen, O., & Haaf, R. G. (1986). Empirically derived learning disability subgroups: A replication attempt and longitudinal pattern over 15 years. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 19, 170-180.
32.
Stavrianos, B. K. (1971). Can projective test measures aid in the detection and differential diagnosis of reading deficits?Journal of Projective Technique Personality Assessment, 35, 80-91.
33.
Vance, B., Fuller, G. B., & Lester, M. L. (1986). A comparison of the Minnesota Perceptual Diagnostic Test Revised and the Bender Gestalt. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 4, 211-214.
34.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1965). Psychology and localization of functions. Neuropsychologia, 3, 381-386.
35.
Watson, B. U., Goldgar, D. E., & Ryschon, K. L. (1983). Subtypes of reading disability. Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, 5, 377-399.
