Word Finding Test performance: Effects of localization of cerebral damage, level of neuropsychological impairment, age, and education

The Word Finding Test (WFT; Reitan, 1972) was developed as a measure of verbal problem solving ability. It has been shown to be sensitive to the presence of brain damage, and to be more sensitive in this regard than several other verbal tests. The present study explored the relationships between WFT performances and lesion localization, level of general neuropsychological impairment, age, and education. The results from 165 brain‐damaged and 129 normal control Ss indicated that the WFT is sensitive to cerebral damage, regardless of lesion localization. However, this test is not helpful in making localization inferences. WFT scores also were correlated significantly with level of impairment, age, and education.