MMPI-2 Scales

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is a

widely used psychometric tool designed to assess personality and
psychopathology. It consists of seven validity scales and ten clinical
scales. Each scale serves a different purpose, ranging from identifying a
person's approach to the test to assessing various psychological
conditions. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2
(MMPI-2) is a well-established psychological test designed to assess
various personality traits and emotional disorders. It is used to understand
an individual's personality structure, psychological functioning, and
potential for emotional or mental disorders. Here’s a breakdown of the
MMPI-2, including its components, how it is used, and some important
considerations for its administration and interpretation.

Eligibility and Background

The MMPI-2 is designed for individuals who are at least 18 years old and
have an eighth-grade reading comprehension level in English. The
test was originally developed in a hospital setting, based on a sample of
psychiatric patients and non-patients. Over time, the test’s creators
gathered items from a wide variety of sources, including psychiatric texts
and social and emotional assessments, to ensure comprehensive
coverage of personality and psychopathology.

Purpose and Use

The MMPI-2 can be used in various contexts, such as:

 Clinical settings: To assess psychological and emotional disorders.

 Forensic settings: As part of a mental health evaluation for

criminal cases.

 Employment and academic settings: To evaluate personality

traits or psychological suitability for specific roles or programs.

The test’s results provide valuable insights into an individual’s behavior,

emotional well-being, mood states, and possible mental health issues.
These outcomes help clinicians make informed decisions about treatment
options and potential diagnoses, as well as to assess the severity of the
person's psychological issues.

Test Structure and Administration

The MMPI-2 contains 567 items in total, but only the first 370 items are
typically used for scoring the primary scales. The remaining items are part
of supplementary scales that can provide additional insights. The test
responses are recorded on a standard answer sheet, with each statement
requiring a true or false answer.

After completion, the administrator checks for any omitted responses or

double marks. If any such issues are found, they are corrected by
crossing out the errors with a colored pencil, and the Cannot Say (?)
scale is updated accordingly. If more than 30 items are omitted, the
results are considered invalid, and the test cannot be interpreted.

Validity Scales:

1. Cannot Say ("?") Scale: Measures omitted items (including those

answered both true and false). A high score (more than 30 omitted
items) suggests an invalid protocol and a lack of cooperation or
attention. Caution is recommended for protocols with more than 10
omitted items.

2. L Scale (Lie Scale): Detects deliberate attempts to present oneself

in an overly favorable light. Individuals who score high may deny
minor faults, portraying themselves as perfect. This scale is often
lower in well-educated individuals from higher socioeconomic
backgrounds.

3. F Scale (Frequency Scale): Measures deviant or atypical

responses, often indicating psychopathology or test-taking attitude.
High scores suggest significant mental health issues, but can also
indicate an attempt to portray oneself in an extreme, exaggerated
manner (either positive or negative).

4. K Scale (Defensiveness Scale): Assesses defensiveness in

response to psychological concerns, either by denying problems or
exaggerating them. High scores typically suggest someone trying to
appear "fine" despite issues, while lower scores may indicate
frankness.

5. Fb Scale (Back F Scale): Similar to the F Scale but applied to

responses on the second half of the test. A high score could indicate
inattentiveness or a shift to random responses.

6. VRIN Scale (Variable Response Inconsistency): Measures

inconsistency in answers to paired questions. A high score indicates
unreliable responses that could invalidate the protocol.

7. TRIN Scale (True Response Inconsistency): Identifies

respondents who inconsistently answer opposite items, either with
 true or false responses. Extreme scores suggest haphazard
responding, which could invalidate the results.

Clinical Scales:

1. Scale 1: Hypochondriasis (Hs): Measures preoccupation with

physical health and somatic concerns. High scores indicate a
neurotic fear of bodily dysfunctions, often presenting vague and
excessive complaints. This scale does not typically reflect genuine
physical illness but rather a psychological obsession with health.

o Example: An individual who often visits doctors despite no

significant physical illness may score high on this scale.

2. Scale 2: Depression (D): Assesses symptoms of depression, such

as poor morale, hopelessness, and dissatisfaction with life. High
scores often suggest clinical depression, while moderate scores
indicate a general attitude of pessimism or a tendency towards low
energy.

o Example: A person experiencing long-term sadness or

disengagement from life activities may show elevated
depression scores.

3. Scale 3: Hysteria (Hy): Focuses on emotional reactions to stress,

especially in the form of somatic symptoms like paralysis or
blindness, which are often a way to avoid conflict. High scores may
indicate a tendency to rely on conversion symptoms to manage
stress or responsibility.

o Example: Someone who experiences frequent headaches or

other physical ailments in stressful situations without any
medical basis may score high on this scale.

4. Scale 4: Psychopathic Deviate (Pd): Measures social

maladjustment, rebellion against authority, and interpersonal
problems. High scores often reflect a disregard for social norms and
a tendency towards asocial or amoral behaviors. This scale can also
be associated with rebelliousness and a tendency to break societal
rules.

o Example: An individual with frequent conflicts at work or

school, a disregard for rules, or criminal behavior may have
elevated scores on this scale.
5. Scale 5: Masculinity-Femininity (Mf): Assesses non-traditional
gender role behaviors and attitudes. High scores in men may reflect
behaviors typically attributed to women (e.g., being emotionally
expressive), while high scores in women may indicate rejecting
traditional female roles. This scale is often related to intelligence
and education, and its interpretation has evolved over time.

o Example: A man who enjoys activities traditionally considered

feminine (e.g., cooking, fashion) might score higher on this
scale.

6. Scale 6: Paranoia (Pa): Measures suspiciousness, delusions, and a

tendency to interpret others' actions as harmful or malevolent. High
scores suggest paranoid tendencies, such as feeling persecuted or
believing others have malicious intentions.

o Example: Someone who constantly suspects that others are

plotting against them or undermining their efforts would likely
have high scores on this scale.

7. Scale 7: Psychasthenia (Pt): Assesses symptoms of anxiety,

obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and excessive self-criticism. High
scores are often indicative of individuals who are preoccupied with
their imperfections or have excessive doubts and fears.

o Example: A person who experiences constant anxiety and

doubts their decisions despite no real reason to worry would
likely score high on this scale.

8. Scale 8: Schizophrenia (Sc): Focuses on symptoms commonly

associated with schizophrenia, including bizarre thought processes,
social alienation, and difficulties with impulse control. A high score
may suggest symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, or severe
disorganization in thinking.

o Example: Someone who experiences frequent hallucinations

or has an unusual, disconnected way of thinking may have a
high score on this scale.

9. Scale 9: Hypomania (Ma): Measures symptoms of hypomania,

including elevated mood, increased energy, and impulsivity.
Elevated scores indicate a tendency to be overly energetic, with
possible irritability or rapid thoughts.

o Example: An individual who is excessively energetic, makes

impulsive decisions, and has a flight of ideas might score high
on this scale.
 10. Scale 0: Social Introversion (Si): Assesses tendencies
toward social withdrawal, insecurity, and discomfort in social
settings. High scores indicate shyness, introversion, and a tendency
to avoid social interaction, while low scores suggest gregariousness
and social engagement.

 Example: Someone who prefers solitude over social gatherings and

feels anxious in social settings may score high on this scale.

Reflection and Clinical Implications

The MMPI-2 provides a nuanced understanding of an individual's

psychological functioning through both validity and clinical scales. It's
important to recognize that while high or low scores on certain scales
might indicate specific mental health concerns, the context of each
individual’s situation must be considered. For instance, high scores on the
Paranoia scale could reflect a clinically significant paranoia or may
simply suggest heightened social mistrust or stress in an individual’s life.
Likewise, scores on the Depression scale may not always equate to
clinical depression but could reflect a generally negative life outlook.

The MMPI-2 can be a helpful tool for clinical psychologists in diagnosing

disorders such as depression, personality disorders, or anxiety
disorders. However, it should be used in conjunction with other
assessments and clinical interviews to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure
that the full context of an individual’s condition is understood.

For example, an individual scoring high on the Psychopathic Deviate

(Pd) scale might be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, but
additional investigation into their background and life circumstances (such
as possible trauma or substance use) would be crucial for accurate
diagnosis and treatment planning.

The validity scales are essential in ensuring the integrity of the test. For
instance, someone deliberately trying to present themselves in an overly
favorable light may score high on the L Scale, indicating a need to
interpret their responses with caution. Similarly, individuals with
inconsistent or random responses (as indicated by high VRIN or TRIN
scores) may have a compromised test protocol that requires careful
review.

Conclusion
The MMPI-2 remains a comprehensive and widely respected tool in clinical
psychology, offering valuable insights into personality traits,
psychopathology, and behavioral tendencies. Its clinical scales offer a
clear framework for understanding a wide range of mental health
concerns, while its validity scales ensure the results are reliable and
meaningful. Understanding and applying the results requires not only
knowledge of the scales but also clinical experience to interpret the data
in the context of the individual being assessed.