Title

School psychologists' diagnoses of learning disabilities: A study of illusory correlation

Authors

Judith A. Gnys, The Warren Alpert Medical School
W. Grant Willis, University of Rhode Island
David Faust, University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1995

Abstract

We examined whether school psychologists based diagnoses of learning disabilities on irrelevant data. Nationally certified school psychologists received case study material containing both relevant and irrelevant information for diagnosing a learning disability. The psychologists indicated (a) the probability that the client was learning-disabled, (b) their confidence in the diagnosis, and (c) their decision-making strategy. They tended to base diagnostic decisions on false beliefs, which we discuss in respect to prior research on illusory correlation. © 1995.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of School Psychology

Volume

33

Issue

1

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Gnys, Judith A., W. G. Willis, and David Faust. "School psychologists' diagnoses of learning disabilities: A study of illusory correlation." Journal of School Psychology 33, 1 (1995): 59-73. doi: 10.1016/0022-4405(94)00023-2.