Description and Critique of the Mmpi
Description and Critique of the MMPI
Description and Critique of the MMPI
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) one of the most popular personality tests today is often the standard to which others are compared (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). It was designed to aid in the diagnosis and prediction of mental illness in patients 14 years of age and older, in a more objective manner. The MMPI is atheoretical and therefore was not created based on a specific theoretical background. It initially contained 566 true and false questions divided into 10 clinical scales, which were derived through research of various sources including personality items that had been previously published by others, textbooks and psychiatric case studies and reports (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). The construction of the test relied heavily on empirically derived items. The test developers presented the scale items to two groups, the clinical criterion group which consisted of members of a population who were believed to have the same diagnostic condition, mostly psychiatric inpatients, and a normal control group who were non-diagnosed individuals. This group is also known as the standardized sample and included 1500 people from a variety of backgrounds and locations. After the items were administered to these groups any items that differentiated the two were kept for further consideration. It was from these items that the scales of the MMPI were created (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). Over time the developers became aware of research regarding problems with self-report methods and developed three validity scales which would indicate deviant responses that could affect the test results. These scales are known as the L (Lie) scale includes 15 items in which people may attempt to portray themselves in a more favourable light. The F (Frequency scale) includes 64 items that would not normally be endorsed by normal individuals. The K (Correction) scale also attempts to
Description and Critique of the MMPI
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) one of the most popular personality tests today is often the standard to which others are compared (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). It was designed to aid in the diagnosis and prediction of mental illness in patients 14 years of age and older, in a more objective manner. The MMPI is atheoretical and therefore was not created based on a specific theoretical background. It initially contained 566 true and false questions divided into 10 clinical scales, which were derived through research of various sources including personality items that had been previously published by others, textbooks and psychiatric case studies and reports (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). The construction of the test relied heavily on empirically derived items. The test developers presented the scale items to two groups, the clinical criterion group which consisted of members of a population who were believed to have the same diagnostic condition, mostly psychiatric inpatients, and a normal control group who were non-diagnosed individuals. This group is also known as the standardized sample and included 1500 people from a variety of backgrounds and locations. After the items were administered to these groups any items that differentiated the two were kept for further consideration. It was from these items that the scales of the MMPI were created (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). Over time the developers became aware of research regarding problems with self-report methods and developed three validity scales which would indicate deviant responses that could affect the test results. These scales are known as the L (Lie) scale includes 15 items in which people may attempt to portray themselves in a more favourable light. The F (Frequency scale) includes 64 items that would not normally be endorsed by normal individuals. The K (Correction) scale also attempts to
Bibliography: Cohen, R. J., & Swerdlik, M. E. (2010). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to tests and measurement (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Michael, K. D., Furr, R. M., Masters, K. S., Collett, B. R., Spielmans, G. I., Ritter, K., . . . Cullum, J. L. (2009). Using the MMPI-2 to predict symptom reduction during psychotherapy in a sample community of outpatients. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 39, 157-163. doi:10.1007/s10879-008-9109-x Sellbom, M., & Bagby, R. M. (2010). Detection of overreported psychopathology with the MMPI-2 RF form validity scales. Psychological Assessment, 22(4), 757-767. doi:10.1037/a0020825