MMPI-2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are all the MMPI-2 Clinical Scales, in order?

A

Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Mf, Pa, Pt, Sc, Ma, Si

Hypochondriasis
Depression
Hysteria
Psychopathic Deviate
Masculine/Feminine
Paranoia
Psychasthenia
Schizophrenia
Hypomania
Social Introversion
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2
Q

Minimum reading level for the MMPI-2?

A

6th grade

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3
Q

Describe the T-Scores on the MMPI-2 Clinical Scales (i.e. what kind of T-Scores are used?)

A

Uniform, with the exception of Mf and Si, which are linear.

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4
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 1 (Hs)

A

Somatic/Physical issues

  • Mild elevation-> actual physical problems
  • High elevation-> vague, dramatic, bizarre somatic concerns
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5
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 2 (D)

A

Distress/Dysphoria

  • Mild elevation-> distress, dissatisfaction in life, mild depression
  • Significant elevations-> more serious/clinical depression
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6
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 3 (Hy)

A

Denial+Physical symptoms

  • Mild elevation-> medical patients; patients with mild tendencies to avoid feelings; express emotions through physical ailments
  • Higher elevations-> denial of emotional problems; major tendency to express feelings through physical symptoms; lack of insight; conforming, naive, immature psychologically
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7
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 4 (Pd)

A

Rebelliousness, Antisocial Behavior

  • Mild elevation-> socially-acceptable rebellion; dislike of authority
  • High elevation-> tendency to engage in antisocial/criminal behaviors; serious disregard for authority; angry, impulsive behavior
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8
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 5 (Mf)

A

Gender conformity

  • High scores-> ID with opposite sex gender roles
  • Lower scores-> ID with traditional roles
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9
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 6 (Pa)

A

Paranoia

  • Mild elevations-> suspicious; rationalizing; blaming others
  • Higher elevations-> frank paranoia; hostility towards others; persecution anxiety
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10
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 7 (Pt)

A

Anxiety

  • Mild elevations-> obsessive thoughts; generalized anxiety; self-doubt
  • Higher elevations-> anxiety disorder
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11
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 8 (Sc)

A

Unusual, bizarre experiences; Social alienation; Severe stress reaction
-High elevations (>75) -may- suggest psychosis; head injury; schizoid personality; acute distress; cry for help; substance abuse

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12
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 9 (Ma)

A

Activity Level

  • Mild elevation-> distractibility, high energy, occasional grandiosity, suspiciousness, irritability
  • Higher elevation-> hypomanic to manic symptoms
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13
Q

Describe MMPI-2 Scale 0 (Si)

A

Social Participation/Withdrawal

  • Low scores (T extroverted
  • Moderate scores-> more introverted
  • Elevations (T>65)-> social withdrawal; avoidance; insecurity; aloofness; schizoid?
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14
Q

Six steps to interpretation of MMPI-2

A
  1. Validity
  2. ID all code types >65T and look at all combinations
  3. ID spike if present
  4. Identify significant configurations
  5. Look at Content, Harris-Lingoes, etc.
  6. Look at Critical Items: 303, 506, 520, 524

Validity-Combos-Spikes-Configs
Additional-Critical

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15
Q

Critical items

A

303, 506, 520, 524

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16
Q

Conversion V

A

1 and 3 (Hs and Hy) >65
and higher than 2 (D) by 8+ points

-Physical complaints
-Repressed pain/express through
physical problems
-Looks for social approval
-Sees physical issues as legitimate way to get attention
-Depressed (but maybe not reporting)
-Rigid personality
-Passive-dependent in relationships
-Sexual problems

    • 70
   *         60 Hy  D  Hs
17
Q

Scarlet O’Hara V

A

4 and 6 (Pd and Pa) >65 and 5 (Mf) < 50

  • Angry, externalizing, blaming; passive in relationships and so passive-aggressive, manipulative
  • Demanding, dependent
  • Provoke others, then feel sorry for themselves if mistreated
    • 70
   *         45 Pd  Mf  Pa
18
Q

Identify these V’s on the MMPI-2

a) 123
b) 456
c) 678

A

a) Conversion V
b) Scarlett O’Hara V
c) Psychotic V

19
Q

Psychotic V

A
6 and 8 (Pa and Sc) both >65 and higher than 7 (Pt) by 8+
  -suspicious, distrustful, irritable
  -poor relationships, emotionally
   distant
  -difficulties with thought   
   process, maybe delusions
  -inferiority, guilt
  -paranoia/psychosis likely
    • 70
   *         60 Pa  Pt  Sc
20
Q

Nonpsychotic 678 configuration

A

7 (Pt) is >65 and higher than 6 and 8 (Pa and Sc)

-Anxiety is prominent
-Tense, concerned with failure, worried about judgment
-Broodingly resentful (if 6^)
or ruminative/confused (if 8^)

21
Q

Spike definition on MMPI-2

A

When any scale is >65 and higher than all other scales by at least 8T

22
Q

Psychotic vs. Neurotic Slope on the MMPI-2

A

Psychotic: when most of the scales to the RIGHT of scale 5 are ^

Neurotic: when most of the scales to the LEFT are ^

Helps with a very quick, general determination of the testee’s disposition

23
Q

K+ Profile on the MMPI-2

A
  • No clinical scales ^65
  • Six scales at or below 56
  • L and K > F by at least 5T
  • K > 60

48% of patients with this pattern were found psychotic. May indicate denial esp. with inpatient

24
Q

What are three cases where MMPI-2 can be invalid due to a single validity scale?

A

Cannot Say > 30
VRIN > 16
TRIN 13

25
Q

What is the purpose of Fb on the MMPI-2?

A
  • Functions like the F scale in that items were endorsed in deviant direction by <10% of normative sample.
  • Purpose: to analyze test-taking behavior- specifically, to compare reporting in the two halves of the test. This can help detect faking-good/faking-bad, fatigue, or tendency to become provoked.
26
Q

What is Fp on the MMPI-2 and why is it important?

A
  • Designed to understand F scale elevations.
  • Items reflect infrequent [<20%] endorsement by two psychiatric populations.
  • May be elevated by random response, poor reading comp., actual psychopathology, or faking bad.
  • Does NOT invalidate clinical profile, as many items do not load on clinical scales. Can affect content scales, though.
27
Q

What is a floating profile on the MMPI-2?

A
  • Very high F (>80T)

- All or most clinical scales >65T

28
Q

What are the nine validity scales on the MMPI-2?

A

?, L, F, K, VRIN, TRIN, Fb, F(p), S

Cannot Say  
Lie  
Infrequency  
Correction  
Variable Response Inconsistency  
True Response Inconsistency  
F-Back  
Infrequency-Psychopathology  
Superlative
29
Q

Define and compare VRIN and TRIN on the MMPI-2

A

VRIN: Designed to detect inconsistent or
contradictory responding.
-High scores can indicate poor comprehension
or lack of cooperation.
-Complements L, F, K.
+F, +VRIN = carelessness;
+F, -VRIN = psychopathology or faking bad

TRIN: Also detects inconsistent/contradictory
responses, but only opposite pairs are used in
the scale.
-High TRIN (>13) suggests indiscriminate True answers, <5 suggests the opposite.

30
Q

Describe the Infrequency scale (F) on the MMPI-2

A
  • 60 items; 90% of normals responded in the same direction (therefore only 10% deviant responses)
  • Controls typically have 55T or under (Raw score of 6)
  • Main theme is psychoticism. Can be poor comprehension, random response, severe psychosis, or malingering.
31
Q

Describe the Lie scale (L) on the MMPI-2

A
  • Detects attempts to present self favorably. Measures attitudes/practices that are laudable but rarely found in most people.
  • Low L: patient acknowledges faults. More sophisticated people tend to score lower on L.
  • High L: Patient is trying to present self in the most positive way possible, rejecting shortcomings or unfavorable characteristics. Likely unsophisticated. High scorers can be rigid, concrete thinkers.
32
Q

Describe the K correction scale (K) on the MMPI-2

A
  • Measures defensiveness in terms of managing daily stressors, rather than morality/good-personhood like the L scale.
  • Low K: overwhelmed by stressors, unable to cope
  • High K: general competence. Higher ed. and voc. achievement can lead to high, but not elevated, scores. High K in emotionally troubled people can mean lack of insight, dogmatism, intolerance, controlling nature
33
Q

Describe the Superlative Self-Presentation scale (S) on the MMPI-2

A
  • Measures belief in human goodness, serenity, contentment, patience (denial of irritability/anger), denial of moral flaws
  • Highly correlated with K
  • Can reflect real adjustment or defensiveness/distortion. If S and K are both moderately high and Pt is high functioning, then it can reflect good ego functioning.
34
Q

How is the F-Fb index used to determine MMPI-2 validity?

A
  • Fb > F by 6 or more = invalid back half
  • May reflect fatigue or other problems later in the test.
  • Whole test is therefore invalid.
35
Q

What is the F-K index on the MMPI-2 and how is it used?

A

-F-K is the dissimulation index. Determines whether or not the person completed the test appropriately or attempted to exaggerate psychopathology.

  • F-K > 12 (women) or 17 (men) = “fake bad”
  • F-K < 0 = “fake good”

-F-K is more useful for identifying fake bad profiles

36
Q

Describe the Harris-Lingoes scales on the MMPI-2

A
  • They apply to scales 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9; not 1, 7 (too homogeneous)
  • Used to explain marginally or unexpected clinical elevations
  • Examples: D5, Brooding; Pd1, Familial Discord
37
Q

Describe the Content scales on the MMPI-2

A
  • Require all 567 items
  • Refine meanings of clinical scales
  • Limited usefulness with High or Low K, Low L, High F

-T>60-64 only some descriptors apply
T>65 many descriptors will apply