Emeritus Professor Bob Knight trained and practiced as a Clinical Psychologist before taking a position at the University of Otago in 1977. He was appointed Professor in 2003 and served as the University Provost for several years. He is a former Chair of the Department and was Director of the Clinical Psychology Training Programme for 19 years. He has published over 100 research articles reporting data-based research in the past 30 years, in a range of leading international journals in Psychology and cognate disciplines.
During his career at the University of Otago, he has supervised more than 20 PhD and 40 Masters dissertations. His principal research focus was on tests and measurement in clinical psychology.
Bob retired from the department in April 2015.
Measurement in Clinical Psychology
Assessing clients who have psychological problems is an important activity in the practice of clinical psychology. Accurate case formulation, treatment, and clinical research rely on having reliable data from well-validated assessment tools.
The research I focus on concerns the construction and validation of clinical tests and measures, particularly those used in the practice of clinical neuropsychology. At present, our laboratory's main focus is on testing older persons with mild cognitive impairments and with the aim of understanding the memory processes that decline in normal and abnormal ageing.
Publications
Guévremont, D., Tsui, H., Knight, R. G., Fowler, C. J., Masters, C. L., Martins, R. N., Abraham, W. C., Tate, W. P., Cutfield, N. J., & Williams, J. M. (2022). Plasma microRNA vary in association with the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 14, e12251. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12251
Journal - Research Article
Guévremont, D., Tsui, H., Knight, R., Fowler, C. J., Masters, C. L., Martins, R. N., Abraham, W. C., Tate, W. P., Cutfield, N., & Williams, J. M. (2020). Plasma microRNA vary in association with the progression in Alzheimer's disease. Proceedings of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). ODO2-09-06. Retrieved from https://alz.confex.com/alz/20amsterdam/meetingapp.cgi/Home/0
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ukra, A., Foster Page, L. A., Thomson, W. M., Knight, R. G., & Farella, M. (2017). Self-report of temporomandibular joint clicking and psychological factors: Is there an association? Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 44(7), 511-516. doi: 10.1111/joor.12514
Journal - Research Article
Aldaz, B. E., Treharne, G. J., Knight, R. G., Conner, T. S., & Perez, D. (2017). Oncology healthcare professionals' perspectives on the psychosocial support needs of cancer patients during oncology treatment. Journal of Health Psychology, 22(10), 1332-1344. doi: 10.1177/1359105315626999
Journal - Research Article
Aldaz, B. E., Treharne, G. J., Knight, R. G., Conner, T. S., & Perez, D. (2016). 'It gets into your head as well as your body': The experiences of patients with cancer during oncology treatment with curative intent. Journal of Health Psychology, 23(1), 3-16. doi: 10.1177/1359105316671185
Journal - Research Article
Douglas, K., Porter, R., Crowe, M., Inder, M., Jordan, J., Groves, S. J., Lacey, C., Beaglehole, B., Mulder, R., Joyce, P., Knight, R. G., & Bowie, C. (2015, November). Direct targeting cognitive impairment in recurrent mood disorder treatments: Findings from pilot studies. Verbal presentation at the Australasian Society for Bipolar & Depressive Disorders (ASBDD) Conference, Sydney, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Porter, R., Groves, S., Jordan, J., Knight, R., Carter, J. D., McIntosh, V. V. W., Fernando, K., Frampton, C. M. A., Mulder, R. T., Lacey, C., & Joyce, P. R. (2015, September). Treatment of cognitive impairment in mood disorders. Verbal presentation at the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists New Zealand Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Groves, S. J., Porter, R. J., Jordan, J., Knight, R., Carter, J. D., McIntosh, V. V. W., Fernando, K., Frampton, C. M. A., Mulder, R. T., Lacey, C., & Joyce, P. R. (2015). Changes in neuropsychological function after treatment with metacognitive therapy or cognitive behavior therapy for depression. Depression & Anxiety, 32(6), 437-444. doi: 10.1002/da.22341
Journal - Research Article
McDonald, M., & Knight, R. G. (2014). Hippocampal functioning and the ability to reconstruct autobiographical memories. Proceedings of the New Zealand Psychological Society Annual Conference. (pp. 53). Retrieved from http://www.psychology.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014-handbook-for-email.pdf
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Aldaz, B. E., Treharne, G. J., Knight, R. G., Conner, T. S., & Perez, D. (2014). The experience of cancer treatment: A qualitative study of patients' experiences during adjuvant treatment in New Zealand. Proceedings of the Psycolloquy Seminar. (pp. 22). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Psychology, University of Otago. Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology/research/otago059081.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Knight, R. G., Tsui, H. S. L., Abraham, W. C., Skeaff, C. M., McMahon, J. A., & Cutfield, N. J. (2014). Lack of effect of the apolipoprotein E ε4 genotype on cognition during healthy aging. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 36(7), 742-750. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2014.935706
Journal - Research Article
Clarke, R., Bennett, D., Parish, S., Lewington, S., Skeaff, M., Eussen, S. J. P. M., … on behalf of the B-Vitamin Treatment Trialists' Collaboration, including McMahon, J., Green, T., Mann, J., Knight, R., & Williams, S. (2014). Effects of homocysteine lowering with B vitamins on cognitive aging: Meta-analysis of 11 trials with cognitive data on 22,000 individuals. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100(2), 657-666. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.076349
Journal - Research Article
Tsui, H. S., Knight, R. G., Skeaff, C. M., & McMahon, J. A. (2013). Cognitive decline in older adults: A decade follow-up. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 19(Suppl. 1), (pp. 75). doi: 10.1017/S1355617713000362
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Williams, J. M., Guévremont, D., Tsui, H., Logan, B., Knight, R., Abraham, W. C., Tate, W. P., & Cutfield, N. (2013). Altered expression of plasma microRNA in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. In B. Leitch & J. Shemmell (Eds.), Proceedings of the 31st International Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research.31, (pp. 70). AWCBR. Retrieved from http://psy.otago.ac.nz/awcbr/Abstracts/Abstracts2013copy.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dear, B. F., Zou, J., Titov, N., Lorian, C., Johnston, L., Spence, J., … Knight, R. G. (2013). Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: A feasibility open trial for older adults. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47(2), 169-176. doi: 10.1177/0004867412466154
Journal - Research Article
Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Alsop, B. (2013). The dynamics of word retrieval in major depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47, 276-283. doi: 10.1177/0004867412465124
Journal - Research Article
Ukra, A., Farella, M., Thomson, W. M., & Knight, R. G. (2012). Relationship between TMJ clicking, malocclusion, and psychological traits in young adolescents. New Zealand Dental Journal, 108(4), (pp. 150). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Bradbury, K. E., Williams, S. M., Green, T. J., McMahon, J. A., Mann, J. I., Knight, R. G., & Skeaff, C. M. (2012). Differences in erythrocyte folate concentrations in older adults reached steady-state within one year in a two-year, controlled, 1 mg/d folate supplementation trial1-3. Journal of Nutrition, 142(9), 1633-1637. doi: 10.3945/jn.112.161562
Journal - Research Article
Zou, J. B., Dear, B. F., Titov, N., Lorian, C. N., Johnston, L., Spence, J., Knight, R. G., Anderson, T., & Sachdev, P. (2012). Brief internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in older adults: A feasibility trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26(6), 650-655. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.04.002
Journal - Research Article
Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Maruff, P. (2011). Neuropsychological changes and treatment response in severe depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 198, 115-122. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.080713
Journal - Research Article
Anderson, T. M., & Knight, R. G. (2010). The long-term effects of traumatic brain injury on the coordinative function of the central executive. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 32(10), 1074-1082. doi: 10.1080/13803391003733560
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., McMahon, J., Skeaff, C. M., & Green, T. J. (2010). Reliable change indices for the Ruff 2 and 7 selective attention test in older adults. Applied Neuropsychology, 17(4), 239-245. doi: 10.1080/09084282.2010.499796
Journal - Research Article
Douglas, K. M., Johnston, L., Maruff, P., Knight, R., & Porter, R. J. (2010). Hot and cold neuropsychological impairment in severe depression. Journal of Affective Disorders.122(Suppl 1), (pp. S33). doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.02.004
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Knight, R. G., & Titov, N. (2009). Use of virtual reality tasks to assess prospective memory: Applicability and evidence. Brain Impairment, 10(1), 3-13.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., & O'Hagan, K. (2009). Autobiographical memory in long-term survivors of severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 31(5), 575-583. doi: 10.1080/13803390802363710
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., McMahon, J., Skeaff, C. M., & Green, T. J. (2008). Normative data for persons over 65 on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 37(1), 4-9.
Journal - Research Article
Porter, R. J., Douglas, K., & Knight, R. G. (2008). Monitoring of cognitive effects during a course of electroconvulsive therapy: Recommendations for clinical practice. Journal of ECT, 24(1), 25-34.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., Nicholls, J., & Titov, N. (2008). The effects of old age and distraction on the assessment of prospective memory in a simulated naturalistic environment. International Psychogeriatrics, 20(1), 124-134. doi: 10.1017/S1041610207005923
Journal - Research Article
Robertson, R. H., & Knight, R. G. (2008). Evaluation of social problem solving after traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 18(2), 236-250. doi: 10.1080/09602010701734438
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., & Linscott, R. J. (2007). Informed consent in research and clinical practice with adults. In I. M. Evans, J. J. Rucklidge & M. O'Driscoll (Eds.), Professional practice of psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand. (pp. 103-115). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Psychological Society.
Chapter in Book - Research
Crawford, M. A., Knight, R. G., & Alsop, B. L. (2007). Speed of word retrieval in postconcussion syndrome. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 13, 178-182. doi: 10.10170S135561770707021X
Journal - Research Article
McMahon, J., Green, T., Skeaff, M., Knight, R., Mann, J., & Williams, S. (2007). A controlled trial of homocysteine-lowering on cognitive performance in older people. Nutrition & Dietetics.64(Suppl. 3), (pp. S87-S88). doi: 10.1111/j.1747-0080.2007.00216.x
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Knight, R. G., McMahon, J., Skeaff, C. M., & Green, T. J. (2007). Reliable Change Index scores for persons over the age of 65 tested on alternate forms of the Rey AVLT. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 22, 513-518.
Journal - Research Article
McMahon, J. A., Green, T. J., Skeaff, C. M., Knight, R. G., Mann, J. I., & Williams, S. M. (2006). A controlled trial of homocysteine-lowering on cognitive performance in older people. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 15(Suppl. 3), (pp. S93). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Knight, R. G., McMahon, J., Green, T. J., & Skeaff, C. M. (2006). Regression equations for predicting scores of persons over 65 on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, the mini-mental state examination, the trail making test and semantic fluency measures. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 393-402. doi: 10.1348/014466505X68032
Journal - Research Article
Lewis, M. W., Linscott, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Titov, N. (2006, April). Evidence of prospective memory impairment in schizophrenia relative to a psychiatric control. Verbal presentation at the Schizophrenia Research Meeting, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Farrimond, S., Knight, R. G., & Titov, N. (2006). The effects of aging on remembering intentions: Performance on a simulated shopping task. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 20, 533-555.
Journal - Research Article
McMahon, J. A., Green, T. J., Skeaff, C. M., Knight, R. G., Mann, J. I., & Williams, S. M. (2006). A controlled trial of homocysteine lowering and cognitive performance. New England Journal of Medicine, 354(26), 2764-2772.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., Titov, N., & Crawford, M. (2006). The effects of distraction on prospective remembering following traumatic brain injury assessed in a simulated naturalistic environment. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 12, 8-16.
Journal - Research Article
Titov, N., & Knight, R. G. (2005). A computer-based procedure for assessing functional cognitive skills in patients with neurological injuries: The virtual street. Brain Injury, 19(5), 315-322. doi: 10.1080/02699050400013725
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., Harnett, M., & Titov, N. (2005). The effects of traumatic brain injury on the predicted and actual performance of a test of prospective remembering. Brain Injury, 19(1), 19-27. doi: 10.1080/02699050410001720022
Journal - Research Article
Harnett, M. A., Godfrey, H. P. D., & Knight, R. G. (2004). Regression equations for predicting premorbid performance on executive test measures by persons with traumatic brain injuries. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 33(2), 78-87.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., McMahon, J., Green, T. J., & Skeaff, C. M. (2004). Some normative and psychometric data for the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire from a sample of healthy older persons. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 33(3), 163-170.
Journal - Research Article
Stanley, J., & Knight, R. G. (2004). Emotional specificity of startle potentiation during the early stages of picture viewing. Psychophysiology, 41, 935-940.
Journal - Research Article
McDermott, K., & Knight, R. G. (2004). The effects of aging on a measure of prospective remembering using naturalistic stimuli. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 18, 349-362.
Journal - Research Article
Keller-Olaman, S., Williams, S. M., Knight, R., & McGee, R. (2004). The self-rated health of women in midlife: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study of a New Zealand sample. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 33(2), 68-77.
Journal - Research Article
Linscott, R. J., & Knight, R. G. (2004). Potentiated automatic memory in schizotypy. Personality & Individual Differences, 37(7), 1503-1517.
Journal - Research Article
Lewis, M., Linscott, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Titov, N. (2004, April). Prospective memory in schizophrenia and related disorders. Verbal presentation at the 11th Annual New Zealand Schizophrenia Research Group Meeting, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Linscott, R. J., & Knight, R. G. (2003, March). Preliminary evidence of potentiated automatic memory in Schizotypy. Poster session presented at the Sixth Biennial Mt Sinai Conference on Cognition in Schizophrenia, Colorado Springs, USA.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Godfrey, H. P. D., Harnett, M. A., Knight, R. G., Marsh, N. V., Kesel, D. A., Partridge, F. M., & Robertson, R. H. (2003). Assessing distress in caregivers of people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI): A psychometric study of the Head Injury Behaviour Scale. Brain Injury, 17(5), 427-435.
Journal - Research Article
Linscott, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Godfrey, H.P.D. (2002) Profile of functional impairment in communication (PFIC). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Psychology, University of Otago. [Psychometric Instrument].
Other Research Output
Smith, J. A., & Knight, R. G. (2002). Memory processing in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychologia, 40, 666-682.
Journal - Research Article
Richards, R., McGee, R. O., & Knight, R. G. (2001). Sunburn and sun protection among New Zealand adolescents over a summer weekend. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 25(4), 352-354.
Journal - Research Article
Linscott, R. J., & Knight, R. G. (2001). Automatic hypermnesia and impaired recollection in schizophrenia. Neuropsychology, 15(4), 576-585.
Journal - Research Article
Richards, R., McGee, R., & Knight, R. G. (2001). Sun protection practices, knowledge and attitudes to tans among New Zealand adolescents, 1991-1997. New Zealand Medical Journal, 114(1132), 229-231.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G. (2001). Neurological consequences of alcohol use. In N. Heather, T. J. Peters & T. Stockwell (Eds.), International Handbook of Alcohol Dependence and Problems. (pp. 129-148). UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Chapter in Book - Research
Titov, N., & Knight, R. G. (2000). A procedure for testing prospective remembering in persons with neurological impairments. Brain Injury, 14(10), 877-886.
Journal - Research Article
O'Neill, K., Harkness, E. M., & Knight, R. G. (2000). Ratings of profile attractiveness after functional appliance treatment. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, 118, 371-376.
Journal - Research Article
Ivory, S.-J., Knight, R. G., Longmore, B. E., & Caradoc-Davies, T. H. (1999). Verbal memory in non-demented patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychologia, 37, 817-828.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G. (1998). Controlled and automatic memory processing in Alzheimer's disease. Cortex, 34, 427-435.
Journal - Research Article
Ivory, S.-J., Longmore, B. E., Knight, R. G., & Caradoc-Davies, T. H. (1998). Sensitivity to interference in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. International Society of Neuropsychology.58, (pp. 1121). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Knight, R. G., Devereux, R., & Godfrey, H. P. D. (1998). Caring for a family member with a traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury, 12, 467-481.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G. (1998). Prospective memory. In A. I. Troster (Ed.), Memory in neurodegenerative disease: Biological, Clinical, and Cognitive Perspectives. (pp. 172-183). New York, USA: Cambridge University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Knight, R. G., Williams, S. M., McGee, R. O., & Olaman, S. J. (1998). Caregiving and well being in a sample of women in midlife. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 22, 616-620.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G. (1997). The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in clinical neuropsychology practice. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 26(1), 2-19.
Journal - Research Article
Titov, N., & Knight, R. G. (1997). Adult age differences in controlled and automatic memory processing. Psychology & Aging, 12(4), 565-573.
Journal - Research Article
Williams, S. M., McGee, R. O., Olaman, S. J. J., & Knight, R. G. (1997). Level of education, age of bearing children and mental health of women. Social Science & Medicine, 45(6), 827-836.
Journal - Research Article
Stewart, M. W., & Knight, R. G. (1997). Appraisal and coping in immunologically distinct subgroups of women with rheumatoid arthritis. British Journal of Health Psychology, 2(4), 327-331.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., Williams, S. M., McGee, R. O., & Olaman, S. J. J. (1997). Psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in a sample of women in middle life. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 35(4), 373-380.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., & Linscott, R. J. (1997). Informed consent: adults. In H. Love & W. Whittaker (Eds.), Practice Issues for Clinical and Applied Psychologists in New Zealand. (pp. 19-31). Wellington: NZPSS.
Chapter in Book - Research
Knight, R. G., Devereux, R. C., & Godfrey, H. P. D. (1997). Psychosocial consequences of caring for a spouse with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Neuropsychology, 19(1), 7-19.
Journal - Research Article
Godfrey, H., Knight, R. G., & Partridge, F. M. (1996). Emotional adjustment following traumatic brain injury: A stress appraisal-coping formulation. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 11(6), 29-40.
Journal - Research Article
Linscott, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Godfrey, H. P. D. (1996). The profile of functional impairment in communication (PFIC): A measure of communication impairment for clinical use. Brain Injury, 10(6), 397-412. doi: 10.1080/026990596124269
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G., & Godfrey, H. P. D. (1996). Psychosocial aspects of neurological disorders: Implications for research in neuropsychology. Australian Psychologist, 31(1), 48-51. doi: 10.1080/00050069608260176
Journal - Research Article
Knight, R. G. (1996). Facilitation by semantic priming in Alzheimer's disease and control groups matched for accuracy of word recognition. Neuropsychology, 10(1), 96-100. doi: 10.1037/0894-4105.10.1.96
Journal - Research Article
Davidson, O. R., & Knight, R. G. (1995). Speed of semantic reasoning and mental rotation in patients with Parkinson's disease without dementia. Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology & Behavioral Neurology, 8(3), 182-188.
Journal - Research Article
