Brief Description

The Ambiguous Words Test consists of a set of incomplete sentences created using 15 ambiguous nouns, 15 verbs, and 15 adjectives. In each of the 45 sentences, the target word (noun, verb, or adjective) is missing, and the participant is asked to choose between two options: one that fits the sentence contextually and one that is unrelated. The selection of the correct answer evaluates the participant’s ability to understand contextual cues and the semantics of the target word.

Purpose

The test investigates the ability of individuals with chronic schizophrenia to extract information from contextual cues and to comprehend the meaning of ambiguous words.

Scoring Method

Each correct answer is scored as 1, and each incorrect answer as 0. The maximum total score for the 45 sentences is 45. Only correct responses are recorded, and semantic versus phonological errors are noted separately.

Validity

The selection of words was based on linguistic and verbal frequency (see ILSP), imageability of meanings, semantic duality (literal vs. metaphorical usage), and expert validation. The selection is supported by linguistic and psycholinguistic criteria.

Reliability

No specific reliability indices are mentioned in the description; however, experimental applications and results are referenced, supporting the validity of the test. The assessment was conducted on both a clinical (patient) group and a control group.

Data Analysis and Use

The test results are used to compare cognitive functioning between healthy individuals and clinical populations (schizophrenic patients). Performance differences are interpreted as indicators of deficits in contextual processing and semantic decoding.

References

Bazin, N., Perruchet, P., Hardy-Bayle, M., & Feline, A. (2000). Context-dependent information processing in patients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 45, 93–101.
Kandylis, P., Pita, R., Skampardonis, A., Lazaridou, I., Kaprinis, S., & Kaprinis, G. (2004). Conceptual framework perception in patients with schizophrenia: A comparative longitudinal study. In N. Makris & D. Deli (Eds.), Cognitive Psychology Today: Bridges for the Study of Mind (pp. 347–360). Athens: Typothito-Dardanos.
Roukou, I., Pita, R., Kioseoglou, G., Lazaridou, I., Kaprinis, V., & Karavatos, A. (2003). Perception of ambiguity in the Greek language among schizophrenic patients. Encephalos, 40(3), 99–104.
Titone, D., Levy, D. L., & Holzman, P. S. (2000). Contextual Insensitivity in Schizophrenia Language Processing: Evidence from lexical ambiguity. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 4, 761–767.