MMPI-2

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Level
Extremely High
Very High
High
Moderately High
Average
Moderately Low
Very Low

Uniform T-Score
85-90
75-80
65-70
55-60
45-50
35-40
30

Percentile Equivalent
>99.8->99.9
98->99
92-96
73-85
34-55
4-15
<1

MMPI-2 Manual Elevation Levels:

o Very High 76
o High 66-75
o Moderate 56-65
o Modal/Average 41-55
o Low 40
3,4,5,6,9,0 = character scales; 1,2,7,8 = symptom scales
Acute: Elevated symptom scales, high F (out of ordinary distress), low K (feel
helpless in dealing with increased stress)
Chronic: Lack of elevation on symptoms scales (or 1-8 > 2-7), moderately low K
(T= 45-55), lower F (T<60)

VALIDITY SCALES

Interrelationships of Scales:
o Hi F, Lo L & K: Client is admitting to personal and emotional problems, may be
asking for help, unsure of abilities to deal w/ problems, good tx prognosis
o Hi L & K, Lo F: Client is attempting to deny problems and feelings, underreporting
of problems, attempt to present self in most positive light, most likely using primitive
defenses, problems usually chronic and therefore may be built into personality,
adequate social adjustment to see world as either good or bad
o L < F < K: Appropriate resources to deal w/ problems and not experiencing much
stress
o L > F > K: Client is nave and unsophisticated but trying to look good, not
distressed by problems, usually uneducated or low SES, poor tx candidate

? (Cannot Say)
Raw Score

ProfileValidity

30

May be invalid
(MMPI Manual);
Invalid, do not
interpret (Graham)

11-29

Some scales may

be invalid

0-10

Probably valid

Reasons for
Elevation
Reading difficulties
Severe
psychopathology
Lack of insight
Uncooperative
Obsessive
Items not relevant for
pt
Selective item
omission

Items not relevant for

pt

Interpretation
Examine percentage of
items answered on each
scale

Examine content/scale of
omitted items, dont
interpret scale with
10% of items omitted
Examine omitted item
content; cooperative,
willing to respond

VRIN (Variable Response Inconsistency) pairs of similar or opposite items

T-Score
Level
80
(Raw score
13)

ProfileValidity

65-79

Profile valid,
characterized by
some inconsistent
responding

Profile invalid

Reasons for
Elevation
Reading difficulties
Confusion
Intentional random
responding
Recording error,
careless
Carelessness
Occasional loss of
concentration

Interpretation
Profile uninterpretable

Profile likely
interpretable, make
cautionary statement
about some inconsistent
responding present;
As T on VRIN
approaches 79, use
more caution
40-64
Profile valid
Pt able to understand
and respond consistently
30-39
Profile valid
Responding particularly
cautious & deliberate
Hi VRIN also expect F to be highly elevated; if F also high, increased likelihood
of inconsistent responding; if F low, probably reporting consistently true
psychopathology

TRIN (True Response Inconsistency) pairs of items with opposite content (should
have 1 true, 1 false for each pair)
T-Score
Level
80 T
(raw score
>12)
65T-79T

50-64T or
50-64 F
(raw score 612)
65F-79F

80F
(raw score
<6)

ProfileValidity

Reasons for
Elevation
Acquiescent
response set
Yeasaying, All True
Partial acquiescent
response set

Interpretation

Profile valid,
characterized by
some
nonacquiescence

Partial
nonacquiescent
response set

Profile invalid

Nonacquiescent
response set
Naysaying, All False

Profile interpreted
w/caution; pay particular
attention to L, K, and S
scores may be
artifactually elevated d/t
response set
Profile uninterpretable

Profile invalid

Profile valid,
characterized by
some acquiescence

Profile uninterpretable

Profile interpreted
w/caution; pay particular
attention to L, K, and S
scores may be
artifactually deflated d/t
response set

Profile valid

S (Superlative Self-Presentation) Defensiveness, underreporting; attempting to

proclaim overly positive self-presentation
T-Score
Level
70 Clinical
75
Nonclinical

ProfileValidity

70-74
Nonclinical

May be invalid

May be invalid

Reasons for
Elevation
Faking good
Pervasive
nonacquiescence

Moderate
defensiveness
Moderate

Interpretation
If TRIN >79F, protocol
characterized by
pervasive pattern of
nonacquiescence,
invalid/uniterpretable;
If TRIN WNL, high S
reflects defensive testtaking approach, may
indicate invalid protocol;
examine S subscales to
identify particular areas
of defensiveness
If TRIN w/in 65F-79F,
elevation on S likely
reflects moderate pattern

nonacquiescence

of nonacquiescence, not
faking good;
If TRIN WNL, elevation
on S likely reflects
moderate pattern of
defensiveness; higher S,
greater likelihood profile
may not accurately
represent existing
psychopathology;
examine S subscales to
identify particular areas
of defensiveness

69 Clinical
Likely valid
69
Valid
Nonclinical
5 Factors: (1) belief in human goodness, (2) serenity, (3) contentment with life,
(4) patience and denial of irritability and anger, (5) denial of moral flaws
Positively correlated with K and L in normative sample

F (Infrequency) tendency to claim highly unusual attitudes and behaviors as a

function of severe psychopathology, rare responses; seeking to place self in
unfavorable light, distress; difficulty completing inventory (reading problems,
random/careless responding); (true is deviant answer)
T-Score
Level
100
Inpatient
90
Outpatient
80
Nonclinical

ProfileValidity

80-99
Inpatient
70-89
Outpatient
65-79
Nonclinical

May be
exaggerated, likely
valid

May be invalid

55-79
Likely valid
Inpatient
55-69
Outpatient
40-64
Nonclinical
54 Inpatient May be defensive
54
Outpatient
39

Reasons for
Elevation
Random/fixed
responding
All True
Severe
psychopathology
Faking bad
presenting problems
even inpatients dont

Exaggeration of
existing problems
Resistant to testing
procedure

Interpretation
If VRIN/TRIN > 79,
profile
invalid/uninterpretable;
If VRIN/TRIN & Fp WNL,
likely valid profile
reflecting severe
psychopathology
(disoriented, confused,
clearly psychotic bx);
If VRIN/TRIN WNL and
Fp >100, pt overreporting
psychopathology in
attempt to appear more
disturbed than he/she is
Consider exaggeration of
sxs, perhaps cry for
help, psychotic, severe
neurotic, socially or
politically deviant,
moody, restless,
dissatisfied,
unpredictable
Pt. accurately reporting a
number of psychological
problems; T 60-64
deviance in some area of
life

Consider faking good

Socially conforming
Defensive
Free of Disabling
psychpathology

Examine defensiveness
scales, esp. L, to
determine whether pt
may be
denying/minimizing
problems
Implications for treatment: T 50-59 good for therapy, good insight, help-seeking
Indicator of distress/chronicity: if F is low in 6-8 profile, person is used to their
symptoms and not in acute distress (poor treatment indicator)
Higher F indicative of:
o Emotional turmoil, including anxiety, depression
o Feeling sad, hopeless
o Disturbed sleep
o Feel unable to cope with strains of life

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Often feel like failures

Pessimistic about future
No create favorable first impression
Socially awkward, few or no friends
See families as lacking in love
Tend not to have strong motivation to achieve
Easily frustrated, give up easily
See selves as insecure, introverted, interpersonally sensitive
Often feel getting raw deal from life
Characterized by others as histrionic, suspicious, hostile, angry, resentful

Fb (F-back) F scale for items 371-567

T-Score
Level
100

80-100

ProfileValidity
Consider profile
invalidity

Consider profile
invalidity

Reasons for
Elevation
Random
All True
Faking bad
Malingering
Exaggeration of
problems

65-79
50-64
50

Interpretation
Psychiatric patients may
be disoriented, confused,
show clearly psychotic
behavior
If valid, consider serious
psychopathology
Consider serious
psychopathology

Average
Consider faking good

Fp (Infrequency-Psychopathology) items even more pathological than inpatients with

severe psychiatric disorders
T-Score
Level
100

ProfileValidity
Likely invalid

70-99

Likely exaggerated,

Reasons for
Elevation
Random responding
Faking bad

Exaggeration of

Interpretation
VRIN/TRIN >79, invalid
and uninterpretable
profile; If VRIN/TRIN
WNL, pt. overreporting
psychopathology in
attempt to appear more
disturbed than he/she is
Consider exaggeration of

may be valid

69

existing problems

symptoms, perhaps cry

for help
Likely valid
Pt. accurately described
current mental health
status
Designed to detect infrequent responding in settings characterized by relatively
high base rates of serious psychopathology and psychological distress

L (Lie) nave attempts to place self in morally/culturally favorable light by denying

moral imperfections, nave defensiveness, impression management; reluctance to
admit common shortcomings; lack of awareness faking good doesnt make good
impression; (false is deviant answer)
T-Score
ProfileValidity
Level
80 Clinical
Likely invalid
or Nonclinical

Reasons for
Elevation
Faking good
Pervasive
nonacquiescence

Interpretation
If TRIN >79F, protocol
characterized by
pervasive pattern of
nonacquiescence,
invalid/uninterpretable;
If TRIN WNL, high L
reflects very strong
pattern of faking good,
likely invalid test protocol

65-79
Clinical
70-79
Nonclinical

May be invalid

Moderate faking good

Traditional
background
Moderate
nonacquiescence

65-69
Nonclinical

Questionably valid

Overly positive selfpresentation

64 Clinical
60-64
Nonclinical

Likely Valid
Likely Valid

Unsophisticated
defensiveness
Traditional
background

If TRIN w/in 65F-79F,

elevation on L likely
reflects moderate pattern
of nonacq, not faking
bad;
If TRIN WNL, elevation
on L likely reflects
unsophisticated pattern
of faking good; higher the
L, greater likelihood that
scales not accurately
represent existing
psychopathology
Pt likely minimized
psychological/bx
difficulties;
underestimation of
problems
Pt denied minor faults &
shortcomings most ppl
acknowledge readily,
perhaps d/t belief that in
his/her best interest

59
Valid
Nonclinical
T>60: Conventional, conforming, unoriginal, inflexible/rigid, moralistic, lack
insight, poor stress tolerance; repression, denial (defended), unsophisticated,
concrete, primitive
Implications for treatment: Higher L indicates participation/responsiveness;
perfectionistic, rigid, unwilling to hear feedback
Hi L: faking good will artificially lower scores on other scales to make individual
appear better psychologically adjusted
Hi L descriptors (T >55):
o Trying to create favorable impression of selves by not being honest in
responding to items
o May be defensive, denying, and repressing
o Tend to claim virtues to greater extent than most people
o Little or no insight into own motivations
o Little awareness of consequences to others of their bx
o Overevaluate own worth
o Conventional and socially conforming
o Unoriginal in thinking, inflexible in problem solving
o Rigid, moralistic
o Poor tolerance for stress, pressure
Lo L descriptors (T < 50):
o Probably frankly responding
o Confident enough about selves to be able to admit to minor faults and
shortcomings
o May be exaggerating negative characteristics

o
o
o
o
o

Perceptive and socially reliant; self-reliant and independent

Seen as strong, natural, relaxed
Function effectively in leadership roles
Communicate ideas effectively
May be described by others as cynical and sarcastic

K (Correction) tendency to control and limit disclosure of distress, discomfort, and

problems relating to others, denying problems, reluctant to admit symptoms; more
sophisticated/subtle defensiveness; (false is deviant answer)
T-Score
Level
65 Clinical
75
Nonclinical

ProfileValidity

65-74
Nonclinical

May be invalid

Moderate
defensiveness
Moderate
nonacquiescence
Denial, intolerant,
uninsightful,

40-64
Clinical &
Nonclinical

Valid

<40

May be invalid

Balanced selfevaluation, intelligent,

well-adjusted
(capable of dealing
w/everyday probs),
independent, wide
interests, enthusiastic
Faking bad
All True
Pervasive
acquiescence
Exaggeration
Self-esteem issues

May be invalid

Reasons for
Elevation
Faking good
All False
Pervasive
nonacquiescence

Interpretation
If TRIN >79F, protocol
characterized by
pervasive pattern of
nonacquiescence,
invlaid/uniterpretable;
If TRIN WNL, high K
reflects defensive testtaking approach that may
indicate invalid protocol
If TRIN w/in 65F-79F,
elevation on K likely
reflects moderate pattern
of nonacquiescence
rather than faking good;
If TRIN WNL, elevation
on K likely reflects
moderate pattern of
defensiveness; higher
the K, greater likelihood
profile may not
accurately represent
existing psychopathology
56-65: trying to give
appearance of adequacy,
control, effectiveness;
hesitant about becoming
emotionally involved

If TRIN >79T, protocol

characterized by
pervasive pattern of
acquiescence, invalid; If
TRIN WNL, low K may
be d/t faking bad, but
only if elevations on
Infrequency scales

T <50: Dissatisfaction w/ self & others, critical of self & others; < 40: plea for
help, ineffective in dealing w/everyday probs, little insight, socially
conforming/compliant with authority, socially awkward, cynical, suspicious
about motivations of others
Indications for treatment: High K not open, determined to think well of
self/others, asserting positive mental health, not much to work with in therapy;
Lo K willing to admit/discuss problems
Positively correlated with SES/educational level
56-65: If clinical scales elevated, may be seriously disturbed psychologically,
but have little awareness; if not seriously disturbed psychologically, may have
above-average ego strength and other positive characteristics
F K (raw scores): If difference is 10, likely fake-bad

CLINICAL SCALES*
*Using Grahams T-score levels; MMPI-2 Manual lists different levels
Scale 1 Hypochondriasis (Hs): tendency to manifest physical symptoms as
expression of emotional discomfort, to be preoccupied w/ ones health, to reject
nonmedical (i.e., psychological) explanations for sxs
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities

Treatment
Implications
>80 Very High Extreme/sometimes bizarre somatic concern, Avoid feelings,
consider somatic delusions, fear of physical
somaticize, looking
breakdown, preoccupation on physical
more for medical
functioning
intervention not
therapy
60-80
Somatic concerns, sleep disturbance, lack
May develop somatic
Moderate/High energy, dissatisfied, demanding,
sxs in times of stress
complaining/whiny, cynical, pessimistic,
unhappy, immature
40-59 Average No interp
<40 Low
No interp
Legitimate physical illness may add 1 SD (10 T-score points)

Scale 2 Depression (D): aspects of symptomatic depression; dysphoria, distress,

pessimism, low morale, inhibition, intropunitiveness, physical discomfort, vegetative
sxs, and problems in thinking; psychological distress, suicidal ideation
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>70 Very High

Serious clinical depression,

pessimistic/hopeless, preoccupied w/guilt,
death, suicide; feelings of
unworthiness/inadequacy

Treatment
Implications
SI, psychiatric/Rx eval,
no energy/motivation,
helplessness
w/pessimism about
techniques
Some elevation
indicates distress and
motivation for Tx

60-70
Moderate depression/dysphoric,
Moderate/High dissatisfaction w/life situation, worried,
somatic c/os, withdrawn, lack selfconfidence, lack energy, anxiety, introverted,
restricted range of interests
40-59 Average No interp
<40 Low
No interp
2-7 profile is high indicator of current distress
High 2 with moderate 9: high risk of suicide has enough energy to do it
SUBSCALES:
D1-Subjective depression: unhappy, depressed, lack energy for coping w/probs of
everyday life,
not interested in what goes on around them, feel inferior, lack self-confidence,
uneasy
in social situations
D2-Psychomotor retardation: lack energy to cope w/everyday activities, feel
emotionally
immobilized, avoid others, deny hostile/aggressive impulses/actions
D3-Physical malfunctioning: preoccupation w/own physical functioning, deny good
health,
report variety of specific somatic symptoms
D4-Mental dullness: lack of energy to cope w/probs of everyday life, tension,
difficulties
w/concentration, attention, memory; lack self-confidence,
feel inferior, little enjoyment out
of life, life no longer worthwhile
D5-Brooding: lack of energy to cope w/probs, life no longer worthwhile, brood, cry,
ruminate, feel
losing control of thought processes

Scale 3 Hysteria (Hy): tendency to develop physical symptoms under stress

(conversion), to experience pain; to deny social friction or discord w/ others,

histrionic/indiscriminant socialization, gregarious; dont handle stress well, lack

insight, maturity, problems w/anger expression (avoid, repress)
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>80 Very High

Consider conversion reaction, extreme

somatic complaints, react to stress by
developing somatic symptoms, symptoms
may disappear when stress subsides

Treatment
Implications
Difficulty w/deep issues,
use denial, defensive,
nave, lack insight, want
attention, difficulty
tolerating anxiety

60-80
Somatic symptoms, sleep disturabance, lack
Moderate/High insight concerning causes of symptoms,
denial, demanding, immature, self-centered,
suggestible, low energy, feel sad/anxious;
physical complaints are way of getting
attention, not necessarily worries about
physical symptoms
40-59 Average No interp
<40 Low
No interp; conforming, inhibited, critical
thinker/logical
SUBSCALES:
Hy1-Denial of social anxiety: social extroversion, comfortable interacting w/others,
not easily
influenced by social standards and customs
Hy2-Need for affection: strong needs for attention/affection from others, fears that
needs will not be
met if honest about feelings/beliefs; others are honest, sensitive, reasonable
deny negative
feelings about others
Hy3-Lassitude-malaise: uncomfortable, not in good health, weak/fatigued, difficulties
concentrating
and sleeping, feelings of unhappiness
Hy4-Somatic complaints: multiple somatic c/os, deny expressing hostility toward
others
Hy5-Inhibition of aggression: deny hostile and aggressive impulses, feel sensitive
about how others
respond to them
Scale 4 Psychopathic Deviate (Pd): alienation, social disinhibition, tendency to come
into conflict w/ family, authorities, and others thru rebellion, exploitation, misconduct,
poorly developed conscience, and lack of internalized moral standards; admission of
social maladjustment w/social poise, self-confidence; impulsive, hostile, poor
frustration tolerance; judgment compromised; SA risk, sensation seeking, acting out
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>75 Very High

Asocial, antisocial behavior, trouble w/law

(men)

Treatment
Implications
Mandated, acting out
not sitting down and
tolerating anxiety

60-75
Trouble w/law (women), use nonprescription Externalizing I get a
Moderate/High drugs (men), family/marital probs, impulsive, raw deal in life
dissatisfied, angry/irritable/uncooperative
(women), extroverted, superficial
relationships, energetic, creative, rebellious
toward authority, poor judgment, impatient;
may feel bored, empty, depressed;
unconventional, self-centered
40-59 Average Independent, energetic, assertive
<40 Low
No interp
SUBSCALES:
Pd1-Familial discord: describe family as lacking love, understanding, support; feel
families are/have
been critical and not permitted adequate freedom and independence
Pd2-Authority problems: resentment of societal and parental standards and
customs, definite
opinions about whats right/wrong, stand up for own beliefs, admit to having
been in trouble
in school or with law
Pd3-Social imperturbability: not useful b/c only 6 items and not possible to obtain
score >65
Pd4-Social alienation: feel alienated, isolated, estranged; believe others dont
understand them, get
raw deal from life
Pd5-Self-alienation: uncomfortable and unhappy, not find daily life
interesting/rewarding; express
regret, guilt, remorse for past deeds
Scale 5 Masculinity-femininity (Mf): sex-role identification; broad patterns of
interests, activities, attitudes, and sentiments that tend to follow gender stereotypes
T-Score
Level
>75 Males
Very High
60-75 Males
High
40-59 Males
Average
<40 Males
Low

Interpretive possibilities

>75 Females
Very High
60-75
Females
High
40-59
Females

Consider serious sexual problems

Consider serious sexual problems

Treatment
Implications
>80 indicates narcissism

Lack traditional masculine interests

No interp
Traditional masculine interests, macho

Lack traditional feminine interests

No interp

Not good therapy

candidate, not
interested in disclosure,
discussing relationships

Average
<40 Females
Low

Traditional feminine interests, may be

androgynous

May be ultra-passive,
dependent, selfdeprecating, selfdefeating

Scale 6 Paranoia (Pa): personal/moral rigidity, interpersonal sensitivity, resentment;

ideas of being misunderstood, mistreated, persecuted, or controlled by others;
tendency to construe actions, intentions, and motives of others as unfair, degrading,
or hostile; paranoia, suspiciousness
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>70 Very High

Consider paranoid psychosis, psychotic

symptoms, disturbed thinking, delusions of
persecution, ideas of reference

Treatment
Implications
Think everyone working
against them, even
therapist; trust issues;
hyperalertness
sensitivity; concerned
about safety;
argumentative,
resistant,
hostile/angry/resentful
Ditto; guarded,
distrustful

60-70
Paranoid predisposition, extremely sensitive,
Moderate/High suspicious, angry/resentful, withdrawn,
grandiosity (center of others
thoughts/behaviors), feel mistreated, blame
others, hostile/argumentative, emotionally
labile
45-59 Average No interp
<45 Low
Very low score may reflect paranoia d/t
extreme guardedness/vigilence, defensive
towards test administrator
<35: callous, not interpersonally sensitive
SUBSCALES:
Pa1-Persecutory ideas: describe world as threatening place, fell
misunderstood/unfairly treated,
delusions/ideas of reference
Pa2-Poignancy: more high strung and sensitive than others, fell lonely and
misunderstood, may seek
out risky or exciting activities to make themselves feel better
Pa3-Naivete: unrealistically optimistic attitudes about others, present selves as
trusting, having high
moral standards, and not having hostile/negative impulses

Scale 7 Psychasthenia (Pt): tendency to express stress thru tension, anxiety,

apprehensiveness, worry, phobias, obsessions, rumination, compulsions, and fears of
losing control; willful and inflexible efforts to control such sxs; psychological turmoil,
distress
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>75 Very High

Treatment
Implications
Tendency to
intellectualize,
obsessive, ruminating,
deemphasize rational
thinking about problems
Some anxiety may be
motivation to work in
therapy, openness to
therapy

Extreme fear, anxiety, tension, disturbing

thoughts, misconceptions, unable to
concentrate, depression, fear of losing mind,
obsessive-compulsive symptoms (rituals,
magical thinking), agitated
60-75
Moderate anxiety, depression, bad dreams,
Moderate/High lack self-confidence, guilt, indecisive,
perfectionistic, feels unaccepted, insomnia,
fatigue, exhaustion, tension,
meticulous/indecisive, shy/introverted
40-59 Average No interp
<40 Low
No interp
Inability to resist specific actions or thoughts regardless of their maladaptive
pattern (e.g., OCD tendencies, abnormal fears, self-criticism, difficulties in
concentration)
Defenses not working, low ego-strength
Tends to be correlated with scale 2
7>8: tenuous, may have brief psychotic reaction under stress; potentially
psychotic individuals can hold it together with rituals just enough to manage life
8>7: psychotic, distressed phase of illnes
Scale 8 Schizophrenia (Sc): severe alienation, self-contempt, apathy, cognitive
disruption, inertia, feelings of unreality, alien impulses, motor and sensory
impairment; mental and emotional confusion
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>75 Very High

Consider schizophrenic dx, psychotic sxs,

social alienation/interpersonal difficulties,
concentration difficulties,
confused/disorganized thinking, unusual
sensory experiences/delusions, physical
health concerns, global dysphoric
thoughts/concerns, turmoil, distress,
overwhelmed, paralyzed, compromised
judgment and impulse control, impaired
contact w/reality
60-75
Schizoid life style (internally focused),
Moderate/High unusual beliefs, eccentric behaviors,
generalized fear/anxiety, confused, fearful,

Treatment
Implications
Problem-oriented focus,
concrete; crisis oriented,
stabilization/support,
distress may motivate
for therapy

bad dreams, aloof, uninvolved, excessive

fantasy and daydreaming, feel sad, somatic
complaints
40-59 Average No interp
<40 Low
No interp
Overlap with F, correlated with K
7-8 within 10 t-score points: less likelihood of psychotic d/o, shows maintenance
of cognitive control
SUBSCALES:
Sc1-Social alienation: feel mistreated, misunderstood, unloved; others are trying to
harm them;
avoid social situations/interpersonal relationships
Sc2-Emotional alienation: feel fear, depression, apathy; wish they were dead
Sc3-Lack of ego mastery, cognitive: report strange thought processes, feelings of
unreality,
difficulties in concentration and memory; at times feel losing their minds
Sc4-Lack of ego mastery, conative: life is a strain, feel depressed; worry
excessively, respond to
stress by withdrawing into fantasy and daydreaming; wish they were dead
Sc5-Lack of ego mastery, defective inhibition: feel not in control of
emotions/impulses, restless,
hyperactive, periods of laughing/crying cant control, episodes of not knowing
what they are
doing cant later remember what theyve done
Sc6-Bizarre sensory experiences: feel bodies are changing in strange and unusual
ways, report skin
sensitivity and other unusual sensory experiences, have hallucinations, unusual
thought
content, ideas of reference
Scale 9 Hypomania (Ma): hi scores = rapid and energetic personal tempo,
hyperarousal, hyperactivity, stimulation-seeking, euphoria, imperviousness,
undercontrol, rebellious impulses; features of hypomanic disturbance (activity level,
excitability, grandiosity); low scores = lethargy, slowness, submissiveness,
vulnerability, scrupulousness, depression
T-Score
Level
>80 Very
High

70-80 High

60-69
Moderate

Interpretive possibilities
Consider bipolar disorder, manic type; manic
symptoms, excessive purposeless activity,
hallucinations, delusions of grandeur,
confusion, flight of ideas
Excessive energy, lack direction, conceptual
disorganization, unrealistic self-appraisal,
impulsive, low frustration tolerance, bossy,
talk too much
Active, extroverted, rebellious, energetic,
creative, gregarious, seeks excitement,
enterprising

Treatment
Implications
Less insight-oriented,
distractible, less
cooperative, restless,
impatient

40-59
Average
<40 Low

Energetic, assertive, self-confident

No interp; can indicate low energy level,
depression

SUBSCALES:
Ma1-Amorality: describe others as selfish, dishonest, opportunistic; thus feel justified
in behaving in
similar ways; derive vicarious satisfaction from manipulative exploits of others
Ma2-Psychomotor acceleration: accelerated speech, thought processes, and motor
activities; feel
tense, restless, excited; easily bored, seek out risk/excitement/danger to
overcome boredom
Ma3-Imperturbability: deny social anxiety, feel comfortable interacting w/others,
profess little
concern about opinions, values, attitudes of others
Ma4: Ego inflation: unrealistic evaluations of own abilities and self-worth, feel
resentful when
others make demands on them
Scale 0 Social Introversion (Si): hi score = introversion, shyness, social anxiety,
social timidity and awkwardness, social avoidance; low score = extroversion,
outgoingness, social comfort and skill, social intrepidity, social stimulation-seeking
T-Score Level Interpretive possibilities
>75 Very High

Extreme withdrawal, insecure, indecisive

Treatment
Implications
Difficulty expressing
feelings, reticence about
relationships, inhibited

60-75
Introverted/shy/timid, depressed, guilty, slow
Moderate/High personal tempo, lack self-confidence, lack
interest, submissive, compliant,
overcontrolled, reliable, dependable, values
work, passive; difficulty establishing
relationships
40-59 Average No interp
<40 Low
Extroverted, gregarious, self-reliant,
Action-oriented, not
energetic, competitive, undercontrolled,
insight-oriented
manipulative, sociable, friendly, outgoing,
verbally fluent
Well Below 40 Very low: immature, impulsive, attentionseeking, competitive, superficial, not able to
disclose emotionally (like scale 3)
SUBSCALES:
Si1-Shyness/self-consciousness: feel shy around others, easily embarrassed, ill at
ease in social
situations, uncomfortable in new situations
Si2-Social avoidance: great dislike and avoidance of group activities and being in
crowds, avoidance
of contact w/ other people

Si3-Alienation-self and others: low self-esteem/confidence, self-critical, question

own judgment,
incapable of determining own fate, nervousness, fearfulness, indecisiveness,
suspiciousness of
others

DEFENSE MECHANISMS*
*Trimboli, F. & Kilgore, R.B. (1983). A psychodynamic approach to MMPI
interpretation. Journal of
Personality Assessment, 47 (6), 612-626.
Defense Mechanisms Indicated by Scale Elevations:
3: Repression, channel conflicts into vague physical complaints
4: Externalization, acting out, rationalization, intellectualization
5: Feminine sublimation (mild to moderate level), suppression (high elevation)
Masculine assertive behavior (mild to moderate), inappropriate channeling of
aggressive impulses
(high)
6: Projection, externalization
9: Denial, distraction, acting out (especially 4-9)
0: Avoidance, withdrawal
K: Guardedness, unwilling to acknowledge psychological weaknesses, repression,
rationalization
L: Primitive, repression, rigid denial (high elevation)
F: Lack of effective defensive functioning (high F, low L & K), repression, denial (low
F, high K & L)
Management of Anxiety Using Defenses: Elevations on symptom scales when defense
mechanisms are insufficient to bind anxieties aroused by difficulties
1: Displacement, channel emotional concerns into somatic complaints
2: Elevation is best single index of breached defenses
7-2: Less efficient uses of repression, magical thinking, rumination, rituals;
acute distress
8: Defenses deteriorate to great extent under stress (severe decompensation)
3-2-7: Intensified attempts to repress anxiety
2-7, with 4, 6, or 9: Neurotic decompensation
6-8-0: Psychotic decompensation
o 8-0 > 9: social/emotional isolation, apathy, withdrawal
o 8>7: fragmentation
o 6>7: gross projections (delusions)
Management of Aggression and Hostility:
Direct expression:
o 4: Diffuse focus
o 4-9: Act out w/o regard for consequences

o 6: Focused anger, specific others

o 4 and 6 potentiate each other: dangerous because act out against others
directly, especially with increased 9
o 3: Inhibiting effect on 4
Indirect expression:
o 3: Repress direct expression, covert expression
o 1-2-3: Use physical symptoms to punish caretakers
o 3-6: Less transparent more overt expression (though individual is
unaware of anger theyre expressing)
o 3-4: Intense aggressive impulses (3>4: passive aggressive; 4>3:
overcontrolled with brief episodes of violent acting out)
Aggression turned toward self:
o 2: Lack capacity to discharge aggression in adaptive/effective way, leads
to anxiety
o 2-7: Suicide risk, greater risk when paired with poor impulse control (4, 9)
or poor judgment (8)
o 5-8: primitive identification with aggressor