Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

The MMPI or Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory started in the 1930s as

the Medical and Psychiatric Inventory published by psychologist Starke R. Hathaway and

psychiatrist/neurologist John C. McKinley. It quickly became the most popular personality

test among psychologists. However, it is not used as a personality test in the popular sense

of giving people insights about their personality. It was designed specifically to make

predictions about treatment outcomes for mental patients. It calls itself a personality

inventory because it rates an individual on various traits. The traits are chosen for their

utility and importance to mental health treatment professionals.

Author

John C. McKinley and Starke R. Hathaway

Year

1943

Types

1. MMPI-2: The revised edition of the test was released in 1989 as the MMPI-2.3 The test

received revision again in 2001 and updates in 2003 and 2009, and it's still in use today

as the most frequently used clinical assessment test.

2. MMPI-2-RF: Another edition of the test, published in 2008, is known as the Minnesota

Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), an alternative to

the MMPI.

3. MMPI-A: There is also an MMPI, published in 1992, that's geared toward adolescents

aged 14 to 18 years old called the MMPI-A. With 478 questions, it takes about an hour

to complete.

4. MMPI-A-RF: In 2016, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent-

Restructured Form (MMPI-A-RF) was published. Like the MMPI-2-RF, it's shorter,

with just 241 questions that take 25 to 45 minutes to answer.

Objectives

MMPI was developed to aid in psychiatric diagnosis, to help psychologist to get

an overall view of a client’s personality traits and types, to screen individuals for

employment reasons, to generate a hypothesis about a problem, interaction style, and

coping skills.

Structure of Test

The MMPI is composed of 399 true/false items. It can be administered using a

printed test booklet and an answer sheet filled in by hand, or by responding to the items on

a computer. Although the MMPI is frequently referred to as a test, it is not an academic

test with "right" and "wrong" answers. Personality inventories like the MMPI are intended

to discover what the respondent is like as a person. Several areas are "tapped into" by the

MMPI to answer such questions as: "Who is this person and how would he or she typically

feel, think and behave? What psychological problems and issues are relevant to this

person?" Associations between patterns of answers to test items and particular traits or

behaviors have been discovered through personality research conducted with the MMPI.

The inventory items are not arranged into topics or areas on the test. The areas of

personality that are measured are interspersed in a somewhat random fashion throughout

the MMPI booklet. Some examples of true-or- false statements similar to those on the

MMPI are: "I wake up with a headache almost every day"; "I certainly feel worthless

sometimes"; "I have had peculiar and disturbing experiences that most other people have

not had"; "I would like to do the work of a choir director." The MMPI is intended for use

with adults over age 18.

Administration

MMPI is administered by trained clerical staff, for best results the examiner

should meet the test taker before giving the test to establish the context and reassure the

client. Most importantly, the test responses should be interpreted only by a qualified

mental health professional with postgraduate education in psychological assessment and

specialized training in the use of the MMPI.

Application

It provides relevant information to aid in problem identification, diagnosis, and

treatment planning for a client. It is used in criminal justice and correction. It also assists

in the evaluation of participants in substance abuse programs and provides support for

college, career, marriage, and family counseling.

Scoring and Interpretations

Scoring of the MMPI is a simple procedure, interpreting those scores however is an

extremely difficult process that only becomes easier with experience. Interpretation of the

MMPI scales demands a high level of psychometric, clinical, person logical, and

professional sophistication, as well as a strong commitment to the ethical principles of test

usage. People how have not had adequate training in the administration, scoring, and

interpretation of the MMPI should not analyze their own or another's scores without the

help of a qualified professional. For each of the scales, the control group provided the basis

for what the standard score would be. T scores (mean of 50 and standard deviations of 10)

were used to compute the standard scores. Therefore a T score of 50 is at the mean of the

control groups, and a T score of 70 is two deviations above the mean and considered

significantly elevated for the MMPI. Due to new norms, the MMPI T score of 65 is

significant.

Norms

Norms generally refers to the mean score for a particular age group. No

specific norms about specific age groups are described in the manual of MMPI.

Scoring is usually done concerning gender and the T-correction table.

Psychometric Properties

Validity

MMPI includes three validity scales. L- Lie- A significantly high score

signifies the teste is lying, or they may be extremely pious or religious. F-

Infrequency- Significantly high scores on this scale bring the validity of a profile

into question. K- Correction-

 Validity scales

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) contains four validity

scales designed to measure a person’s test-taking attitude and approach to the test:

Lie (L) scale

The Lie scale is intended to identify individuals who are deliberately trying to

avoid answering the MMPI honestly and in a frank manner. The scale measures attitudes

and practices that are culturally laudable, but rarely found in most people. In other words,

people who make these items are often trying to make themselves look like a better person

than they are (or that anybody is). The scale contains 15 items.

F Scale

The F scale (the “F” does not stand for anything, although it is mistakenly

sometimes referred to as the Infrequency or Frequency scale) is intended to detect unusual

or atypical ways of answering the test items, like if a person were to randomly fill out the

test. It taps several strange thoughts, peculiar experiences, feelings of isolation and

alienation, and some unlikely or contradictory beliefs, expectations, and self-descriptions.

If a person answers too many of the F and Fb scale items incorrectly, it will invalidate the

entire test. Contrary to some descriptions of the scale, F scale items are scattered

throughout the entire test up until around item 360. The scale contains 60 items.

K Scale

The K scale is designed to identify psychopathology in people who otherwise

would have profiles within the normal range. It measures self-control, and family and

interpersonal relationships, and people who score highly on this scale are often seen as

being defensive. The scale contains 30 items.

? Scale

The cannot scale say score simply is the number of omitted items. The client

omitted zero items.

 Clinical Scales

Hypochondriasis (Hs)

The Hypochondriasis scale tapes a wide variety of vague and nonspecific

complaints about bodily functioning. These complaints tend to focus on the abdomen and

back, and they persist in the face of negative medical tests. There are two primary factors

that this subscale measures, poor physical health and gastrointestinal difficulties. The scale

contains 32 items. Depression (D)

The Depression scale measures clinical depression, which is characterized by poor

morale, lack of hope in the future, and a general dissatisfaction with one’s life. The scale

contains 57 items.

Hysteria (Hy)

The Hysteria scale primarily measures five components — poor physical

health, shyness, cynicism, headaches, and neuroticism. The subscale contains 60

items. Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)

The Psychopathic Deviate scale measures general social maladjustment and the

absence of strongly pleasant experiences. The items on this scale tap into complaints about

family and authority figures in general, self-alienation, social alienation, and boredom.

The scale contains 50 items.

Masculinity/Femininity (Mf)

The Masculinity/Femininity scale measures interests of vocations and hobbies,

aesthetic preferences, activity-passivity, and personal sensitivity. It measures in a general

sense how rigidly a person conforms to very stereotypical masculine or feminine roles. The

scale contains 56 items.

Paranoia (Pa)

The Paranoia scale primarily measures interpersonal sensitivity, moral self-

righteousness, and suspiciousness. Some of the items used to score this scale are psychotic

in that they acknowledge the existence of paranoid and delusional thoughts. This scale has

40 items.
Psychasthenia (Pt)

The Psychasthenia scale is intended to measure a person’s inability to resist

specific actions or thoughts, regardless of their maladaptive nature. “Psychasthenia” is an

old term used to describe what we now call obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or

having obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors. This scale also taps into abnormal

fears, self- criticisms, difficulties in concentration, and guilt feelings. This scale contains 48

items.

Schizophrenia (Sc)

The Schizophrenia scale measures bizarre thoughts, peculiar perceptions, social

alienation, poor familial relationships, difficulties in concentration and impulse control,

lack of deep interests, disturbing questions of self-worth and self-identity, and sexual

difficulties. This scale has 78 items, more than any other scale on the test.

Hypomania (Ma)

This scale is intended to measure milder degrees of excitement, characterized by an

elated but unstable mood, psychomotor excitement (e.g., shaky hands), and flight of ideas

(e.g., an unstoppable string of ideas). The scale taps into over activity — both behaviorally

and cognitively — grandiosity, irritability, and egocentricity. This scale contains 46 items.

Social Introversion (Si)

The Social Introversion scale measures the social introversion and extroversion of

a person. A person who is a social introvert is uncomfortable in social interactions and

typically withdraws from such interactions whenever possible. They may have limited

social skills, or simply prefer to be alone or with a small group of friends. This scale has

69 items.
Table 1.3.3

Table Showing Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Scales

No. Abbreviation Description What is Measured No. of Items

1 Hs Hypochondriasis Concern with bodily 32

symptoms
2 D Depression Depressive Symptoms 57
3 Hy Hysteria Awareness and 60
vulnerabilities
4 Pd Psychopathic Conflict, struggle, 50
Deviation anger, respect for

society’s rule
5 Mf Masculinity/ Stereotypical 56
Femininity masculine or feminine
interests/behaviors
6 Pa Paranoia Level of trust, 40
suspiciousness,
sensitivity
7 Pt Psychasthenia Worry, anxiety, 48
tension, doubts,
obsessiveness
8 Sc Schizophrenia Odd thinking and 78
social alienation
9 Ma Hypomania Level of excitability 46
0 Pa Social People orientation 69
Introversion
Quantitative Analysis

Booklet consists of items and answer sheet were given to the subject and asked her to

choose appropriate characteristic by marking “true” and inappropriate characteristic by

marking “false” on the answer sheet. Responses of the subject were analyzed quantitatively

with help of manual. The following scores were obtained.

Table 1.3.4

Table Showing Scales, Raw and T Scores

Scales Raw Scores T-scores

? 0 0

L 5 48

F 12 54

K 8 38

Hs 14 62

D 32 71

Hy 27 65

Pd 22 44

Mf 39 78

Pa 17 61

Pt 21 47

Sc 23 47

Ma 16 44

Si 37 57
 Qualitative Analysis

Examinee show different score on various scales which show multiple aspects of

her personality.

 Validity scales

? Scale

Examinee do not get any score on this scale which shows that the scores on the

other scales are valid.

L Scale

Examinee got 5 score on it and her T-Score is 48, moderating scoring indicates

that participant is over conforming and conventional.

F Scale

On this scale examinee got 12 scores and her T-Score is 54, moderating

scoring suggests some degree of restlessness, instability, moodiness, dissatisfaction,

independent and mildly nonconformist thinking of the participant.

K Scale

Examinee’s raw score on this scale is 12 and her T-Score is 38, a low scoring

associated with a poor self-concept. Though, she has openness, a certain degree of

self- criticism and close examination of personal values.

 Clinical Scales

Hypochondriasis (Hs)

Examinee got 14 raw score & T-Score 62. High-scoring show her low level of

anxiety. Thus, indicating she is stubborn, critique, and rigid in taking decisions.

Depression (D)

Examinee’s raw score is 32 and her T-Score is 71, high scoring which implies

characteristics indecision, worry, and pessimism. She tends to typically feel helpless

and hopeless with regard to interpersonal problem solving.’

Hysteria (Hy)

Examinee got 27 raw score on this scale and her T-Score is 65, moderate

scoring which shows that she is self-centered and tend to be indirect and manipulative

in order to satisfy her social needs.

Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)

Examinee got 22 raw score on this scale and het T-Score is 44. Low scoring

indicates that the subject is cheerful and good tempered. She may be persistent in

working towards her aim and balanced.

Masculinity/Femininity (Mf)

Examinee’s raw score is 39 and T-Score is 78, which is a high elevation. Thus,

she is often seen as confident, spontaneous, and uninhibited

Paranoia (Pa)

Examinee got 17 raw score and her T-Score is 61, a moderate elevation, which

implies she is wary, and self-centered. She frequently reports feeling of being limited.

Psychasthenia (Pt)

Examinee’s raw score is 21 and T-Score is 47, a moderate elevation, showing

that the subject tends to orderly, and self-critical. Typically, she is perfectionistic.

Schizophrenia (Sc)

Examinee got 23 raw score on this scale and her T-Score is 47, a moderate

elevation, indicating her interest in abstract and philosophical thoughts.

Hypomania (Ma)

Examinee’s raw score on this scale is 16 and her T-Score is 44, which is a low

scoring suggesting low level of energy, being listless, and apathetic.

Social Introversion (Si)

Examinee’s raw score is 37and her T-Score is 57, a low scoring, which is

showing the participant tends to be warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious, and involves

in group activities.

Conclusion

The score on the MMPI detect the deviant test taking attitude and personality

functioning. The scores on the MMPI and the history which had been taken from the

subject are correlated. She has openness, socially warm and outgoing personality

features. Furthermore, she is cheerful and good tempered. All of the mentioned

characteristics and their range depicts the normal personality of the participant.