Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2)

Human personality is one of the most difficult psychological constructs to describe.. Some theories define it as those stable and distinctive characteristics of a person that are manifested through behavior.

Despite the complexity of its definition, there are some evaluation tests that allow for a psychological profile of the personality that is very adjusted to the reality of the subject. One of the most used is the MMPI-2, whose operation we will review throughout this article.

• Related article: "The 4 types of personality test"

What is the MMPI-2?

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality InventoryIn this specific case, the MMPI-2 is one of the most popular instruments in psychology to assess the personality, the global and specific psychopathological characteristics of the person, or the alterations psychosomatic.

This latest version, developed in 1989 from the original MMPI, is very popular because it allows the mental health professional to establish valid and reliable opinions or judgments about the personality of the patient. In the same way,

allows the creation of a very complete psychological profile.

This inventory of personality constructs is made up of 567 dichotomous option items in which the person must choose between true or false depending on whether they identify with the statement or not.

The MMPI-2 gives us the opportunity to assess basic personality characteristics using a series of scales, categorized as basic or additional. The basic scale consists of 370 items that are divided into validity scales and clinical scales. While the additional ones allow expanding the information of the basic scales, discriminating the content and nature of the symptoms.

Finally, this test is considered as a basic evaluation instrument, for which reason it is It can be applied in all those areas in which an evaluation of the traits of personality. These administration contexts include: research centers and psychological clinics, teaching centers, or military or defense contexts.

Characteristics of this psychological test

The MMPI-2 possesses a number of distinctive features that make it the most used test when developing a psychological profile of personality. These characteristics occur both at the level of administration, as well as objectives and reliability.

1. Aim

As indicated at the beginning of the article, the objective of the MMPI-2 is to develop a psychological profile of the personality traits of the person evaluated. As well as to identify possible psychopathological characteristics, or abnormal personality traits.

2. Material

This test can be done both virtually and classically (pencil and paper). For it, you will need the MMPI-2 question protocol and the sheets with the answer grid. In addition, the correction key is required for the evaluation.

3. Administration

Inside the MMPI-2 test package are standard instructions for administering the test. The estimated time for the application of the test varies between 90 and 120 minutes., and should always be done in the presence of a psychologist or mental health professional. Ideally, accompanied by a professional observer.

Due to the complexity of the test, it is necessary for the evaluator to have read the material before using it. Next, the person evaluated will be given the necessary material and will be explained what the test consists of. Throughout this, the evaluator can answer the doubts that may arise to the evaluated person, since the MMPI-2 presents greater validity if it responds to all the items.

4. Punctuation

After completing the test, the correction stage will be passed, in which the evaluator will grant one point for each affirmative or true answer of the patient and 0 points in the boxes marked as false. In the end, all the points are added up to obtain the raw score of the scale as a result of which the T score will be obtained, which will allow us to interpret the results of the test.

your scales

As previously mentioned, the MMPI-2 consists of 567 items arranged in different evaluation scales. These scales are divided into basic scales, made up of validity scales and clinical scales, and additional scales.

1. clinical scales

The objective of these scales is to investigate a possible presence of psychopathological symptoms. Within this scale are the following personality factors:

• Hypochondria.
• Depression.
• Hysteria.
• Psychopathic deviation.
• Paranoia.
• Psychasthenia.
• Schizophrenia.
• hypomania.
• social introversion.
• Masculinity-Femininity (divided into women and men).

2. Validity scales

The validity scale allows us to detect if there is an intention to lie or inconsistency in the responses of the person evaluated. This scale includes:

• L scale or lie.
• F scale or inconsistency or validity.
• K scale or correction or defense.

3. additional scale

As a complement to the basic scales, and with the intention of expanding the information provided by them, the evaluator can use additional scales that measure constructs such as:

• Anxiety.
• Fears.
• obsessiveness.
• Depression.
• Concern for health.
• extravagant thought.
• Hostility.
• Cynicism.
• antisocial behaviors.
• Type A behavior.
• Low self-esteem.
• Social unrest.
• Labor problems.
• Work interference.
• Negative treatment indicators that show whether the patient needs hospitalization or not.

How are the scores interpreted?

According to the T score obtained by the patient, the scales can be interpreted based on the following classification:

• T score <40: As a general rule, scores less than 40 cannot be obtained, so it will be necessary to examine the L scale score to find out if the person intends to give a good image of himself.
• T = 40-50: Corresponds to a very low score, so it has no diagnostic significance. An analysis of the L scale should also be carried out.
• T=41-55: They belong to the expected score in the population, so they do not have diagnostic significance either.
• T=56-65: Moderate diagnostic significance. Some of the scales should be reviewed to investigate which personality traits stand out.
• T=66-75: High diagnostic significance. From this score pathological personality traits may appear.
• T>75: Extremely high diagnostic significance. It only occurs in 10% of cases, so the possibility that the person is exaggerating or that it means a demand for urgent help should be considered.