Opinion ID: 3187215
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Testimony of Dr. Marc Tasse

Text: Dr. Marc Tasse, a psychologist specializing in developmental disabilities, did not examine or evaluate Ledford, but he did provide general background information regarding the academic field of mental retardation. Dr. Tasse defined 36 Case: 14-15650 Date Filed: 03/21/2016 Page: 37 of 103 mental retardation as a “disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior” that develops before the age of 18 years, which mostly mirrors Georgia’s legal definition of mental retardation. According to Dr. Tasse, most standardized IQ tests are standardized with a score of 100, and any score of 70 or below indicates “significant sub-average intellectual functioning.” Dr. Tasse noted that IQ tests are not perfect and, at a score of 70, there is typically a measurement of error of approximately 5 points, with a confidence interval of 95%.10 Dr. Tasse had taught classes on how to administer properly an IQ test. According to Dr. Tasse, when administering the WAIS-III, the examiner must write down all of the test-taker’s responses. The examiner must also record his or her clinical observations of the test-taker’s performance and strategies. The examiner does not score certain portions of the test until the entire test is complete. According to Dr. Tasse, if the responses are not clearly recorded, then the examiner may make mistakes when later scoring the test. Dr. Tasse explained his opinion that IQ tests are subject to “the Flynn effect.” Dr. Tasse testified that the “Flynn effect,” named after political scientist Dr. James Flynn, is an empirical observation that IQ scores are rising over time, 10 In other words, if an individual scored a 70 on a standardized IQ test, there is a 95% chance that he or she will score within the range of 65-75 in subsequent tests. 37 Case: 14-15650 Date Filed: 03/21/2016 Page: 38 of 103 such that an individual who scored a 100 on an IQ test 20 years ago may score a 106 today if administered the same test. Dr. Tasse explained that, according to Dr. Flynn, IQ scores have been rising at a rate of approximately three points per decade, or 0.3 points per year, from the date on which the IQ test was normed. Thus, according to Dr. Tasse, if an individual takes an IQ test many years after it was normed, the resulting score is artificially inflated. 11 Dr. Zimmerman, another proponent of the Flynn effect, testified that in order to correct this artificial inflation, an individual’s IQ score should be reduced by 0.3 points for every year that has passed between the date a test was normed and the date the individual took that test. Dr. Tasse testified that, other than historical changes in intelligence norms, there is no consensus as to why this rise in IQs is occurring. Nevertheless, Dr. Tasse opined that the application of the Flynn effect to all IQ tests is generally accepted in the scientific community. Dr. Tasse testified that in order to offset the Flynn effect, test-makers frequently re-normalize standardized IQ tests, which can 11 Ledford submitted as exhibits a 2006 article by Dr. Flynn called “Tethering the Elephant,” and an affidavit from Dr. Flynn. Dr. Tasse explained that those exhibits concern Dr. Flynn’s belief that the WAIS-III IQ test was misnormed at its inception and, therefore, an additional 2.34 points should be deducted from a WAIS-III test-taker’s score on top of the standard 0.3 per year Flynn effect deduction. Dr. Tasse testified that the publisher of the WAISIII refutes Dr. Flynn’s assertion. Dr. Tasse took no position regarding the dispute. Dr. Tasse explained that the 2.34 point reduction for the WAIS-III is an issue “totally separate” from the Flynn effect. In any event, while Ledford does argue on appeal that his WAIS-III tests scores should be reduced by 0.3 points per year to account for the Flynn effect, he does not argue that an additional 2.34 points should be deducted. 38 Case: 14-15650 Date Filed: 03/21/2016 Page: 39 of 103 take several years. According to Dr. Tasse, the Flynn effect applies equally, if not more, to mentally retarded individuals. Dr. Tasse turned to adaptive behavior—the second prong of mental retardation. Dr. Tasse identified ten categories of adaptive behavior: communication, self-care, home living, social interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction, functional academic skills, work, leisure, and health and safety. According to Dr. Tasse, various tests can measure an individual’s adaptive behavior, which is measured against a social mean. Some tests involve selfreporting, while others involve interviews with friends and family members. Dr. Tasse opined that self-reporting individuals may overstate their abilities and, therefore, it is best to complement a self-reported test with family interviews and other corroborating evidence. Dr. Tasse opined that long-term incarceration can make an individual’s adaptive behavior scores less accurate. Dr. Tasse testified that while mentally retarded individuals often have significant impairments in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, those impairments may co-exist with strengths in certain areas, such as communication, social skills, and practical skills. Dr. Tasse opined that these strengths often appear in individuals who fall within the borderline range of mental retardation. 39 Case: 14-15650 Date Filed: 03/21/2016 Page: 40 of 103