MMPİ
MMPİ
Clinical Scales
(RC) Scales
William P. Wattles
Francis Marion University
Invalid protocols
Cannot say >30
VRIN or TRIN ≥80
F or F(p) ≥100
Fb ≥ 110
L ≥ 80
K ≥ 75
MMPI-2
Good for measuring:
– Personality characteristics
– Behavioral tendencies
– Emotional functioning
– Psychopathology symptoms
Problem: MMPI-2 Clinical Scales
highly intercorrelated
Hinders construct validity
Empirical keying
– convergent
– Discriminant
Current Techniques
– Code types
– Harris Lingoes scales
– Supplementary scales
Construct Validity
Theextent to which a measurement
method accurately represents a
construct and produces an
observation distinct from that
produced by a measure of another
construct.
Convergent and discriminant
validity
Convergent and discriminant validity
are both considered subcategories or
subtypes of construct validity.
Convergent and discriminant
validity
Ingeneral we want convergent
correlations to be as high as possible
and discriminant ones to be as low
as possible.
Discriminant validity
Toestablish discriminant validity,
you need to show that measures that
should not be related are in reality
not related.
Convergent Validity
To establish convergent validity, you
need to show that measures that
should be related are in reality
related.
Thus, those with elevated scale 4
have been shown to have more
arrests.
Problem: MMPI-2 Clinical Scales
significant item overlap
The average number of overlapping
items per pair of the ten clinical sales
is 6.4 items.
Examples
– 7-8 (17)
– 2-7 (13)
– 2-3 (13)
– 6-8 (13)
– 4-0 (11)
Problem: MMPI-2 Clinical Scales
highly intercorrelated
A factor called anxiety, general
maladjustment or emotion distress
explains much of the variance among
scales.
Floating profiles.
Intercorrelations result in most or all
scales being elevated making it
difficult to determine which scale to
focus on.
Demoralization Scale (RCd)
This factor is removed from the other
scales
Items selected for relevancy to core
of each scale
Items selected for
– Convergence, high correlation with scale
– Discrimination, low correlations with
other scales.
Restructured Scales
Intercorrelations
Page 157
Intercorrelations are reduced.
For example
– Scale 1 and Scale 2 =.56
– Scale RC1 and RC2 = .27
– Scale 7 and Scale 2 = .65
– RC7 and RC2 =.31
MMPI-2 RESTRUCTURED CLINICAL SCALES PROFILE
Clinical Scale 2
After
demoralization is removed a
low positive emotionality component
emerged.
– Consistent with theories seeing this as
the core of depression.
Clinical Scale 3
When RCd removed 3 components
left:
– Somatization
– Extraversion
– Naivete
Naivete
negatively correlated with
psychopathology
RC scales evaluation
They show convergent validity equal to or
superior to the clinical scales and the
content scales.
They often offer a substantial
improvement over clinical scales
discriminant validity. (not being
significantly correlated to unrelated
characteristics.)
The RC scales provide a more clearly
focused assessment of the primary
distinctive components of the Clinical
Scales.
Interpretation of RC scales
RC scale tells about elevations in the
core construct.
Clinical scale may include other
characteristics as well
RCd Demorilization
High scores (T≥65)
– Discouraged
– Poor self-esteem
– Pessimistic
– Expect to fail
– Overwhelmed
– incapable
RC1 Somatic complaints
High scores (T≥65)
– Large number of physical complaints
– Chronic pain
– Preoccupied with bodily functions
– Resistant to psychological explanations
– Develop physical symptoms in response
to psychological difficulties
RC2 Low Positive Emotions
High scores (T≥65)
– Lack of positive emotional engagement
in life
– Lack energy
– Difficulty taking charge or making
decisions
– Inroverted, passive, withdrawn
– Bored isolated
– Low expectations of success
RC3 Cynicism
Low scores
High scores (≤40)
(T≥65)
Naïve
See others as:
– untrustworthy
Gullible
– Uncaring
Overly trusting
– exploitive
RC4 Antisocial Behavior
High scores (T≥65)
Difficult to conform to societal norms
Difficulties with the law
Increased risk for substance abuse
Aggressive
Conflictual relationships
Seen as critical, argumentative, angry,
antagonistic.
Problems in school and work
RC6 Ideas of persecution
High scores (T≥65)
Feel targeted, controlled and
victimized by others.
Suspicious, difficulty trusting
RC7 Dysfunctional Negative
Emotions
High scores (T≥65)
Anxiety and irritability
Insecure