1. Personality Tests
Observe and describe the structure and content of personality – the characteristic ways an individual thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts
Clarifies
Diagnoses
Problematic patterns of behavior
Intra and interpersonal dynamics
Treatment implications
Can be objective or projective

2. Measuring Personality & Psychological Functioning
Objective testing
Specific questions or statements to which the person responds by using specific, fixed answers or a rating scale
Scores tabulated and compared to reference groups
Projective testing
Ambiguous or unstructured stimuli to which client is asked to respond freely.
Unconscious or conscious needs, motives, interests, dynamics are projected onto ambiguous stimuli revealing internal dynamics or personality
More challenging to score and interpret than objective

3. Objective Tests
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI; MMPI-2)
Millon Multi-Axial Inventory III (MCMI-III)
16 Personality Factors (16PF)
NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI)

4. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory- 2
Introduction and Overview

5. History MF and Si added later (items increased to 566)
First published in 1943 by Hathaway and McKinley
Designed for routine diagnostic assessments
Empirical keying approach
504 statements
724 Minnesota”normals” and 221 psychiatric patients
Originally 8 clinical scales plus validity scales
MF and Si added later (items increased to 566)

6. History (cont.) inadequate original standardization sample
Revised version is the MMPI-2 (1989)
inadequate original standardization sample
concerns about item content
objectionable items
not broad enough to assess certain characteristics like suicide and drug abuse
Separate forms for adolescents and adults
567 true/false items
Normative sample (MMPI-2)
2600 U.S. residents aged (census derived)
Test retest ranges from
Originally 504, added repeat items and Masculine Feminine Scale and social introversion
1989 retained format but altered or added/deleted some items
Item content - drop the handkerchief sleeping powders, street cars
All 550 of the original MMPI items retained in adult and adolecent versions but 14% of original were revised because of antiquated/awkward klearning

7. History MMPI-2
Yields individual’s clinical profile compared with the normative sample
Much of research on interpretation from MMPI applies to MMPI-2
Most frequently used personality test in the US for adults and adolescents

9. MMPI-2/MMPI-A
Original 10 clinical/personality scales and original 3 validity scales and added 4 validity measures
Additional options:
Content scales
Harris-Lingoes subscales
Supplementary scales
Critical items
Item content – content
Subscales for clnical/personality based on clusters of content-related items – H&L
Assessment of items and item clusters that relate to relevant behavior – critical
Empirically derived new scales - supplementary

10. Administration and Scoring
Administered individually or in groups
not a “take home” test
computerized version available
Administration time is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours
Scored by hand or computer
Must be interpreted by qualified professionals
For use with individuals 18 years and older
Can break test session up into shorter segments
MMPI-2 for 18-year-olds who are in college, working or living independently
Can also be read or use of standardized audio tape
there is a standardized spanish version
Many resourtces aavauilable in multicultural issues and the mMPISchinka et al 1998, Butcher - Interbnational adaptations of MMPI2
adaptations - China, Israel, Pakistan, Soutrh africa, chili mexico Japan
bpossible to use it with year-olds but need adolescent norms

11. Administration and Scoring (cont.)
If only standard scales are required - administer first 370 items
many supplementary scales are not available unless you give all 567 items
If hand scoring use scoring key appropriate to individual’s gender
Use the K correction for this class
Interpretation is configural in nature and not dependent on any one scale

12. Multicultural Issues and the MMPI-2
African Americans tend to score higher on scales F, 8 and 9
Male Latinos scored higher on scale 5 than European American males
mean difference of less than 5 T score points
All mean differences among groups are less than 5 T score points and moderators variables appear to explain the variance in performance
More the role of moderator variables like efuatio, income, age and type of pathology
Some difference in forensic populations may be menaingful - exampe - high cynicism, antisocial practices in AA vs EA criminals - discrimination? =
Future reserahc is needed to look at degree of identifictaion with ethin group, language fluencey, perceived minority status and degree of discrimination
also more needed on content and supplemntary scales

13. Tips on instructions Augment the standard instructions with:
Reason for testing and how results will be used
Test is designed to determine if someone is presenting themselves in an overly positive or negative manner so it is best to be as honest as possible
Some questions may seem unusual because the test is designed to assess individuals with a wide range of personality styles and symptoms
If an item does not apply to an individual, indicate with a true or false response and try not to leave any questions blank.

14. Validity Scales ? Scale (Cannot say) F scale (Infrequency)
number of items left unanswered
If 30 or more items are left unanswered the protocol is invalid
F scale (Infrequency)
66 items
atypical or deviant response style
endorsed by less than 10% of the population
accompanied by high scores on clinical scales
general indicator of pathology or “faking bad.”
Example - “I like to visit places I’ve never before” false
It would be better if almost all laws were thrown away” true
Factor analysis - diverse characteristics like paranoid thinking, antisocial attitudesor behavior, hostility, poor physical health
test taking attitude and deviant reposne sets
generate inferences about extratest characterics and ehaviros

15. F scale (cont.) No exact cutoff for suspecting an invalid profile
T scores of are common among prison, inpatient populations
Extreme elevations indicate invalid profile
100 or higher
More liberal cutoff for adolescents on MMPI-A
Moderate elevation can indicate an openness to unusual experiences and psychopathology
MMPI-A - 20% of adolescents endorsed the items
normal adults - male = 95, female = 99
psych pats = 120 males
119 females
MMPI-A = 79+
ingeneral suggests malingering, exaggeration of difficulties, resistance to testing or significant levels of pathology
unconventional or unusual thoughts, rebellious, antisocial - may be a cry for help
low scores - cleint perceives world as others do - if there is pathology they may be denying difficulties - faking good

16. Validity Scales (cont.)
Lie (L) Scale
15 items
extent to which client is “faking good” or describing self in an overly positive manner
Uneducated, lower SES will score higher
Average number of endorsed items is 3
T Scores of 65 or above are suspect and indicate profile should not be interpreted
High scores may lead to lower scores on clinical scales
Minor flaws to which most would admit ‘ False to “I get angry sometimes
High scores suggest overly conventional, socially conforming, rigid and moralistic - little or no insught
low - responsded frankly - T < 50 self confident enough ot admit flaws - perceptive socially repsonsive, self-relaint, strong, relaxed - can be diaviant and over critical - esp if K is low and F is high”

17. Validity Scales (cont)
K scale(30 items)
More subtle and sophisticated index of “faking good” or “faking bad”
T scores above 65 or 70 are higher than expected
Higher scores indicative of ego defensiveness and guardedness
Persons from lower SES and educational backgrounds score somewhat lower on K
Persons of higher intelligence and psychological sophistication may score high on K and low on L
K scores are inversely related to Scales 8,7 and 0
K correction is added to five of the clinical scales
Suppresses clinical sclaes
Elevation is suggestive of person attemtping to present self in an overly favorable light or deny difficulties or anwered false to everything (nay saying0 - or if valid - prent image of being in control, functioning well, overlooking faults - poor insight and resist psych eval - ability to benefit from therapy limited - typical defense is denial
moderate mod level of defensiveness, positive qualities like independent, self reliant, good ego strength
moderate in adolescents = low poss of acting out
low - suggest a fake bad profiel - exaggeration of pathology - all tru protocol - in valid profile may be disorented or confused, self critical, cynacal inadequate defenses among adolescents not uncommon and reflect greater openness and sensitivity f

18. Validity scales (cont.)
Variable Response Inconsistency Scale (VRIN)
An additional validity indicator developed for MMPI-2
Measures tendency to respond inconsistently to MMPI-2 items
47 pairs of items with similar or opposite content
In general, raw score greater than 13 (T>80) indicates inconsistent responding
Useful when examined along with F scale
True Response Inconsistency Scale (TRIN)
To identify an all true (acquiescence) or all false (non acquiescence) response style
20 pairs of items that are opposite in content
Raw scores range from 0 to 23
Higher TRIN (T> 80 in true direction) tendency to give true responses indiscriminately
lower TRIN (T > 80 in false direction) tendency to give false responses indiscriminately
Each time person answers inconsistently a point is added
Completely random response set produces a T score on VRIN of 96 for men and 98 for women
all tru or all false repsonse set yileds a T score near 50
people who fake bad or endorse psychotathology will get averahge scores
high F and High VRIn = random responding
high F and low or moderate VRIN no random responding or confusion - severely disturbed or attemtping to look like it.
All true or all false almost alwatys leads to high F and average VRIN

19. Clinical Scales Scale 1. Hypochondriasis (Hs)
personality characteristics consistent with a diagnosis of hypochondriasis
high concern with illness and disease
complain about a variety of physical problems and attempt to manipulate/ control others with complaints
egocentric, immature, pessimistic, sour, whiny and passive aggressive
critical of others
express hostility inwardly
Elderly produ8ce higher scores - real pohysical problesm ahave T scopres around 60
real high scores = dramatic or bizzare concerns - if scle three also elevated - conversion disorder posible
chronic pain patients may have high scores on 1 & 3
moderate vague, nonspecific complaints chroonic poain, headaches, GI discomfort -
chronci wekaness, fatigueg
MMPI_A- relevant for adolescents but also suggest school-related difficulties
Girls experience family problmes (marital disagreements, financial concerns ) and eating disorders
Elevations on this sclae are rare among adolescents

20. Scale 2: Depression (D)
Items related to brooding, physical slowness, subjective feelings of depression, mental apathy, physical malfunctioning
High scorers (T>70) report feelings of depression, sadness, feeling blue, unhappiness, dysphoria, hopelessness about future
Display behaviors like lack of energy, anhedonia, crying, psychomotor retardation
Tend to be self critical, withdrawn, aloof
Patients seeking inpatient care often have Scale 2 as highest point
Single best predictor of person’s satisfaction, sense of security, comfpor
age is an impirtant factor - adolescents score 5 to 10 points lower than nonpat aduilts
elderly score 5 to 10 points higher
neurottic triad wqhen 1,2 and 3 are elevated - wide variety of compaints not hjust depression
moderate elevations on 2 and 7 are good for therapy
elevation on 2 raises possibility of suicide esp tru if very high and if elevations on 4,7,8, and/or 9
look at critical itemst
High adolescent scores on 2 suggest school related difficulties and arguments with parents – less likley to act out – girls more likley to ghave eating problems, somatic complaints andlow self-esteem
Intrapersonally introverted with few friendsfis

21. Scale 3 : Hysteria (Hy)
To identify patients who have hysterical reactions to stress
Person who often feels overwhelmed and avoids responsibility by developing physical symptoms
Physical symptoms worsen with increased stress
May report headaches, stomach discomfort, chest pains, weakness with no organic cause
Have symptoms that appear and dissappear suddenly
Do not report experiencing emotional turmoil and have an exaggerated degree of optimism
Higher scores = exaggeration of denial, somatization, dissociation, immaturity, naïvete, low levels of insight
Traits consistent with histrionic personlaity - demand affection and social support but do so indirectly
socially uninhibited and higly visible
relationships are easuily made but dsuperficial
approach aothers in a naïve and self centered mannert
herterogebnous in its content - HL are useful here
frequently found with elevations on 1 and 2
If K is also elevated person is likely to be inhibited, affiliative, overconcevetional - exaggerated need to be approved of and liked - high score here reduceds liklehood person is psychotic even if 6 and 8 are high
moderate score may have good sadjustment
Adolescents – questionable bvalidity with teens – HL subsclaes help clarify - females likley to have somatic complaints in reponse to stress
Males more likely to have both school problems and hx of Suicide ideation/gestures – rarely ahigh point for teen males.

22. Scale 4: Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)
Measure of rebelliousness
Difficulty incorporating values and standards of society, problems with authority
May engage in asocial or antisocial acts
Stormy interpersonal and family relationships
Underachievers
Poor planning and judgement
Relationships are shallow and superficial
Immature and childish, narcissistic, selfish, egocentric
Extraverted and outgoing
Can be hostile and aggressive - sarcasm, cynicism, lack of trust
Lying,cheating, stealing, sexual actibng out, excessive use of alcohol or other drugs
talkative, active adventurous, ebergetic, spontaneous - wide range of inetersts
do not report much emotional turmoil but will admit to feelings of emptiness, boredom, depression
psycitraic pats - diagnosis - with Antisocial, p-a most frequent
prognosis for therapy poor - generally unable to accept blame for behavior - terminate prematurely
MMPI_A adolescents frequently have elevations here – can be highest scle 1/3 sample had scores above 65
Turbulent attempt to form identity and independence from parents – can be temporary and a phase – extremely high thoughis pathology-
Antisocial acts see HL – school problesm, substance abuse
Externalizing behavior with boys – lying, cheating, stealing – boys report physical abuse – girls physical and sexual abuse

23. Scale 5: Masculinity-Femininity (Mf)
Originally developed to identify homosexual invert males
56 items on MMPI-2 covering a range of topics
A non-clinical scale
Scale 5 elevations may be associated with positive functioning
High scores for men - lack of stereotypic masculine interests, aesthetic and artistic interests, participate in child-rearing, housekeeping activities
High scores for women are uncommon and usually indicative of rejection of traditional female role, interest in sports, hobbies, activities that are stereotypically more masculine than feminine
Low scores for men/women - presenting self as traditionally masculine or feminine in hobbies, roles, interests
Vey few ites differntiated hetro from homo - thus items were added to distinguish men from women in standradization sample and then adapted to idenftify sexual inversion in women
on MMPi of original 60 items retained - most are not sexual in nature but deal with worek and rec interests, worries, fears, excessive sensitivity NAND FAMILY RELATIONSHISP
Moderately related to amount of education - higher score, higher education
scored differntly for men and women
scores not related to symprtoms or problems
relationship with sexual aggression found in some studies but not well established
Scores on 5 can color interpretation of other sclaes - high 5 and high 4 meansmore inreo spective, channel antisocial feelings toward creating social change
Scale 5 elevations are rare for teen males
Not much research on females – esp for high scoring but would present wth stero typically male interests

24. Scale 6: Paranoia(Pa)
Designed to identify patients judges to have paranoid symptoms like ideas of reference, feelings of persecution, grandiose self-concepts, suspiciousness, excessive sensitivity
T scores above 70 and 6 is highest scale - person may exhibit frankly psychotic behavior
Moderate elevations ( ): paranoid orientation, excessively sensitive, overly responsive to opinions of others, feel mistreated, blame others for difficulties
May also be suspicious and guarded, exhibit hostility, resentment, argumentativeness
Utilize projection as defense mechanism
Prognosis for therapy is poor
Very few false positives - usually high scores have paranoid symptroms - 40 items
some deal with psychitoc behavior - some - sensitivity, cynicism, asocial behavior , excessive moral virtue, complaints about others
Can get T score of 65 or more woithout endoring frankly oscyhotic itemshistory of hiopsitalizations common with high scores
MMPI-A – elevation consistent with academic problems including poor grades and suspension
Girls – diagreements withparents
Boys – hostile, withdrawn, immature, argumentative, feel persecuted
Perceived as overly doendent on adults, attention seekig, resentful

25. Scale 7 : Psychasthenia (Pt)
Similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder
Thinking characterized by excessive doubts, compulsions, obsessions and unreasonable fears
High scorers are extremely anxious, tense and agitated, may have physical complaints
May have physical complaints and complaints of fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia and bad dreams
Rigid and moralistic
High scores will lack self confidence, are plagued by self doubts, can be perfectionistic, conscientious, neat, orderly, and meticulous
Often report feeling sad and unhappy
Tend to be shy and do not interact well socially
May be motivated for treatment due to inner turmoil
The clinical scale that most clearly measures anxiety and ruminative self-doubt- along with scale 2 - a good indictor of degree of distress the person feels
cardia, GI compalints frequnt
in non clincialpopulations - high strung, articulate, individualistic and perfoectionsitic - high standrads of morlaity
Tend to be introspectibve - fear losing their minds
onsessive thinking, ritualistic behavior, ruminations are common
MMPI-AGilrs are likley to be deoressed- few descriptors because early rigidity may bnot be a problem iuntil later in lifegilrs make S threats, disagree with parents, steal
Boys – low slef conficdence, may have been sex abused – need more research

26. Scale 8: Schizophrenia (Sc)
Possibility of a thought disorder (T=75-90)
Confusion, disorganization, disorientation, unusual thoughts, attitudes,
Delusions, hallucinations may be present
Often have histories of inpatient/outpatient psychiatric treatment
Schizoid lifestyle
Shy aloof and uninvolved with few friends
Unable to express hostility- withdraw into daydreams, fantasies
Plagued by self doubt, feel insecure, incompetent, dissatisfied
Stubborn, moody, opinionated but can also be generous, peaceful, sentimental
Can be immature and impulsive
Prognosis for therapy is poor
Consider age/ethnicity, substancse abuse, medical disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, closed head injury
Schizoid =and feelings of isolation, aleination, feeling misunderstoodand unaccepted by peers
H & L –divide content into social alienation,emotional alienation, lack of ego mastery cognitive - - strnage thoguhts, diff concentarting and lack of ego mastery cognative – difficulty coping, hopelessness, depression
Also lack of ago mastery defective inhibition – impuksive, hyperactive, out of control and bizarre sensory exp.
MMPI-A – boys and girls report higher rate of school problems, boys suspended, girls with achievement probs
Possibility of sexual abuse
Girls report diagreements with parents
Inclincialpopus – may be aggressive, threaten sicide ,act out
Boys in contrast – guilt probne, shy, clingy, fearful, somatic complaints – with high elevation show psychotic features like delusions, khallucnations, etc..

27. Scale 9: Hypomania (Ma) Designed to identify individuals experiencing
hypomanic or elevated mood, accelerated speech and motor activity, irritability, flight of ideas and brief periods of depression
A measure of psychological and physical energy
Extreme elevation (T > 80) suggestive of a manic episode
Outgoing, sociable, gregarious
Friendly, pleasant, enthusiastic, self-confident
May feel upset, tense, nervous, anxious, dissatisfied with life
Poor prognosis in therapy
Look at age and race – younger persons (collge students) typically obrain scores in 50 to 60 range – elderly - T score below 50 are common – A, NA and H typically score 5 to 10 points higher than whiets
Scores are highy char of other aspects of profile will be acted out
Manci – excess, puposeless behavior, accelerated speech, hallucinations, delusions of grandeur
Resistant to interp in therapy, irregular in attendance, terminate prematurely therapist target for hostility and aggression
MMPI-A – moderate = enthiusastic, animated and takes interst in things – higher elevations suggest underachievement in school and problems at home
Can also relfest manic ep and antisocial acts
Among nbouys – amphetamine use is coommon

28. Scale 0: Social Introversion (Si)
Nonclinical scale
Introversion-extraversion continuum
High scorers are socially introverted, insecure and uncomfortable in social situations
Shy, reserved, timid
Prefer to be alone and have few friends
Described by others as cold and distant, hard to get to know
Passive, submissive, compliant in relationships
Worry, anxious, feel irritable, may experience periods of depression
Low scorers – are sociable and extraverted, outgoing, gregarious, friendly and talkative
Strong need to be around others
Viewed as expressive and verbally fluent
Active and energetic
MMPI-A – among teens – high scores are clear indicator of difficulties in relationships – low self esteem, sopciala withdrawal
Girls – withdrawan, shy, fearful, depressed eating problmes - inhibitory effect on pathology – rarely report drug alsochol/ sexual acting out
Less behavior correlates for boys

29. MMPI-II: Content Scales
ANX:
Anxiety
FRS:
Fears
OBS:
Obsessiveness
DEP:
Depression
HEA:
Health Concerns
BIZ:
Bizarre Mentation
ANG:
Anger
CYN:
Cynicism
ASP:
Antisocial Practices
TPA:
Type A Behavior
LSE:
Low Self-Esteem
SOD:
Social Discomfort
FAM:
Family Problems
WRK:
Work Interference
TRT:
Negative Treatment Indicators

30. WELSH CODING
Record the 10 numbers of the clinical scales in order of T scores, from the highest on the left to the lowest on the right
When adjacent scores are within one T score point, they are underlined. When they have the same T score they are placed in the ordinal sequence found on the profile sheet and underlined

31. Symbols 120 and above !! 110-119 ! 100-109 ** 90-99 * 80-89 “ 70-79 ‘! ** * “ ‘ / : #
29 or less to the right of #

32. Projective Tests Rorschach Inkblot Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Projective Drawing Tests
Draw-A-Person
Draw-A-House
Draw-A-Tree
Draw-A-Family
Sentence completion tests

33. Clinical Judgment Ultimately, clinician uses Judgment Impressions
Experience
Data
Examines all the pieces of the puzzle
Theoretical framework
Prior experience
Clinical training
Intuitions
Managed care insurance companies
Highly specific assessment tool
Objectify target symptoms