Professor Robert Knight, Our People, Department of Psychology

Email rknight@psy.otago.ac.nz

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 currently serves as the University Provost. 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 is on tests and measurement in clinical psychology.

Research Interests

Measurement in Clinical Psychology
The neuropsychology of memory

Find out more about Professor Knight's research interests

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

2022

Journal - Research Article

2020

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2017

Journal - Research Article

2016

Journal - Research Article

2015

Journal - Research Article

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

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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.

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.

2014

Journal - Research Article

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

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

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

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

2013

Journal - Research Article

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

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

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

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

2012

Journal - Research Article

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 trial^1-3. Journal of Nutrition, 142(9), 1633-1637. doi: 10.3945/jn.112.161562

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

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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]

2011

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

2010

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

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

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

2009

Journal - Research Article

Knight, R. G., & Titov, N. (2009). Use of virtual reality tasks to assess prospective memory: Applicability and evidence. Brain Impairment, 10(1), 3-13.

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

2008

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.

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.

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

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

2007

Chapter in Book - Research

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.

Journal - Research Article

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

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.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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

2006

Journal - Research Article

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

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.

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.

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.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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 - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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.

2005

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

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

2004

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.

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.

Stanley, J., & Knight, R. G. (2004). Emotional specificity of startle potentiation during the early stages of picture viewing. Psychophysiology, 41, 935-940.

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.

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.

Linscott, R. J., & Knight, R. G. (2004). Potentiated automatic memory in schizotypy. Personality & Individual Differences, 37(7), 1503-1517.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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.

2003

Journal - Research Article

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.

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

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.

2002

Journal - Research Article

Smith, J. A., & Knight, R. G. (2002). Memory processing in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychologia, 40, 666-682.

Other Research Output

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].

2001

Chapter in Book - Research

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.

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.

Linscott, R. J., & Knight, R. G. (2001). Automatic hypermnesia and impaired recollection in schizophrenia. Neuropsychology, 15(4), 576-585.

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.

2000

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.

Titov, N., & Knight, R. G. (2000). A procedure for testing prospective remembering in persons with neurological impairments. Brain Injury, 14(10), 877-886.

1999

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.

1998

Chapter in Book - Research

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.

Journal - Research Article

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.

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.

Knight, R. G. (1998). Controlled and automatic memory processing in Alzheimer's disease. Cortex, 34, 427-435.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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]

1997

Chapter in Book - Research

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.

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.

Titov, N., & Knight, R. G. (1997). Adult age differences in controlled and automatic memory processing. Psychology & Aging, 12(4), 565-573.

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.

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.

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.

Knight, R. G. (1997). The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised in clinical neuropsychology practice. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 26(1), 2-19.

1996

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.

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

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

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

1995

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.