Instructor Training
Slides
MMPI®-3 Instructor Training Slides, University of Minnesota Press,
Copyright for all MMPI® materials are held by the Regents of the University of Minnesota
Part 2:
Unit 1: Validity
Scales
Unit 2: Higher-Order
(H-O Scales)
Part 2: Unit 3: Restructured
Clinical (RC) Scales
MMPI-3 Scales Unit 4: Specific
Problems (SP) Scales
Unit 5: Personality
Psychopathology Five
(PSY-5) Scales
Unit 1: Validity Scales
Validity Scales
• CRIN Combined Response Inconsistency – Combination of variable and
fixed inconsistent responding
• VRIN Variable Response Inconsistency – Variable inconsistent responding
• TRIN True Response Inconsistency – Fixed inconsistent responding
• F Infrequent Responses – Responses infrequent in the general population
• Fp Infrequent Psychopathology Responses – Responses infrequent in
psychiatric populations
• Fs Infrequent Somatic Responses – Somatic complaints infrequent in
medical patient populations
• FBS Symptom Validity Scale – Noncredible somatic and cognitive
complaints
• RBS Response Bias Scale – Exaggerated memory complaints
• L Uncommon Virtues – Rarely claimed moral attributes or activities
• K Adjustment Validity – Claims of uncommonly high level of
psychological adjustment
Validity Scales
• Variable Inconsistency
• An inconsistent combination of “True” and “False”
responses
• I am always happy (True)
• I was happy yesterday (False)
• Note that the opposite combination is NOT inconsistent
• I am always happy (False)
• I was happy yesterday (True)
Validity Scales
• Fixed Inconsistency
• An inconsistent combination of “True” and “True” responses
• I am always happy (True)
• I am always sad (True)
• Note that the opposite combination is NOT inconsistent
• I am always happy (False)
• I am always sad (False)
• OR an inconsistent combination of “False” and “False”
responses
• I am shy (False)
• I am not shy (False)
• In this case, the opposite combination IS inconsistent
• I am shy (True)
• I am not shy (True)
Excerpted from the MMPI-3 Technical Manual by Yossef S. Ben-Porath and Auke Tellegen. Copyright © 2020 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota.
Reproduced by permission of the University of Minnesota Press.
Excerpted from the MMPI-3 Technical Manual by Yossef S. Ben-Porath and Auke Tellegen. Copyright © 2020 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota.
Reproduced by permission of the University of Minnesota Press.
Reliability and SEM
Excerpted from the MMPI-3 Technical Manual by Yossef S. Ben-Porath and Auke Tellegen. Copyright © 2020 by the Regents of the University of
Minnesota. Reproduced by permission of the University of Minnesota Press.
Excerpted from the MMPI-3 Technical Manual by Yossef S. Ben-Porath and Auke Tellegen. Copyright © 2020 by the Regents of the University of
Minnesota. Reproduced by permission of the University of Minnesota Press.
Validity – Non-content-based Invalidity
Non-content-based Invalid Responding
Indicators
• Primary threat detected:
• Artifactual increase or decrease in substantive
scale scores
• Non-responding artifactually lowers scores
• Impact begins at 10% unscorable responses
• Random responding artifactually increases scores
• Scales with low frequency items most impacted
• Fixed responding can artifactually increase or
decrease substantive scale scores
• Impact depends on scoring key
Validity – Content-based Invalidity
Indicators
Content-based Invalid Responding
Indicators
• Effectively identify simulated over-
reporting and under-reporting
• Good classification accuracy statistics
• Over-reporting and under-reporting
substantially attenuate substantive scale
score validity
Content-based Invalid Responding
Indicators
• Two functions:
• Assessing threats to protocol validity
• Just addressed
• Detecting malingering and concealment of
psychopathology
• Not developed for this purpose
• Literature supports their effectiveness for this
function
Unit 2: Higher-Order (H-O) Scales
Higher-Order (H-O) Scales
• EID Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction – Problems associated
with mood and affect
• THD Thought Dysfunction – Problems associated with disordered
thinking
• BXD Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction – Problems
associated with under-controlled behavior
Unit 3: Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales
Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales
• RCd Demoralization – General unhappiness and dissatisfaction
• RC1 Somatic Complaints – Diffuse physical health complaints
• RC2 Low Positive Emotions – Lack of positive emotional
responsiveness
• RC4 Antisocial Behavior – Rule breaking and irresponsible
behavior
• RC6 Ideas of Persecution – Self-referential beliefs that others
pose a threat
• RC7 Dysfunctional Negative Emotions – Maladaptive
anxiety, anger, irritability
• RC8 Aberrant Experiences – Unusual perceptions or thoughts
associated with thought dysfunction
• RC9 Hypomanic Activation – Overactivation, aggression,
impulsivity, and grandiosity
Unit 4: Specific Problems Scales
Specific Problems Scales
• Somatic/Cognitive
• MLS Malaise – Overall sense of physical debilitation, poor
health
• NUC Neurological Complaints – Dizziness, weakness,
paralysis, loss of balance, etc.
• EAT Eating Concerns – Problematic eating behaviors
• COG Cognitive Complaints – Memory problems, difficulties
concentrating
Specific Problems Scales
• Internalizing (Demoralization Related)
• SUI Suicidal/Death Ideation – Direct reports of suicidal ideation
and recent attempts
• HLP Helplessness/Hopelessness – Belief that goals cannot be
reached or problems solved
• SFD Self-Doubt – Lack of self-confidence, feelings of uselessness
• NFC Inefficacy – Belief that one is indecisive and inefficacious
Specific Problems Scales
• Internalizing (Negative Emotions Related)
• STR Stress – Problems involving stress and nervousness
• WRY Worry – Excessive worry and preoccupation
• CMP Compulsivity – Engaging in compulsive behaviors
• ARX Anxiety-Related Experiences – Multiple anxiety-related
experiences such as catastrophizing, panic, dread, and
intrusive ideation
• ANP Anger Proneness – Becoming easily angered, impatient
with others
• BRF Behavior-Restricting Fears – Fears that significantly
inhibit normal behavior
Specific Problems Scales
• Externalizing
• FML Family Problems – Conflictual family relationships
• JCP Juvenile Conduct Problems – Difficulties at school and
at home, stealing
• SUB Substance Abuse – Current and past misuse of alcohol
and drugs
• IMP Impulsivity – Poor impulse control and non-planful
behavior
• ACT Activation – Heightened excitation and energy level
• AGG Aggression – Physically aggressive, violent behavior
• CYN Cynicism – Non-self-referential beliefs that others are
bad and not to be trusted
Specific Problems Scales
• Interpersonal
• SFI Self-Importance – Beliefs related to having special talents
and abilities
• DOM Dominance – Being domineering in relationships with
others
• DSF Disaffiliativeness – Disliking people and being around them
• SAV Social Avoidance – Not enjoying and avoiding social events
• SHY Shyness – Feeling uncomfortable and anxious in the
presence
of others
Unit 5: Personality Psychopathology Five
(PSY-5) Scales
PSY-5 Scales
• AGGR Aggressiveness – Instrumental, goal-directed
aggression
• PSYC Psychoticism – Disconnection from reality
• DISC Disconstraint – Under-controlled behavior
• NEGE Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism – Anxiety,
insecurity, worry, and fear
• INTR Introversion/Low Positive Emotionality – Social
disengagement and anhedonia
PSY-5 Scales
Three Models:
FFM PSY-5 DSM-5 Alternative
Model of PDs
Agreeability Aggressiveness Antagonism
Openness Psychoticism Psychoticism
Conscientiousness Disconstraint Disinhibition
Neuroticism Negative Negative Affect
Emotionality
Extraversion Low Positive Detachment
Emotionality
End of Part 2
