M I N N E S O T A M U L T I P H A S I C P E R S O N A L I TY I N V E N T O RY

Administration
•M M P I - 2

•16 years and above

•8th grade reading level
•M M P I - A

•Preferred option for individuals between ages 14-18 years.

Scoring, Coding & Interpretation
 Eight steps

Profiles should be interpreted keeping these

variables in mind;
 Age
 Culture
 Intellectual level
 Education
 Level of functioning
 Reason and context of assessment
1. Completion time

2. Score and plot the profile

3. Organize the scales and identify the code type

4. Determine profile validity

5. Determine overall level of adjustment

6. Describe symptoms, behaviors and personality characteristics

7. Provide diagnostic impressions

8. Elaborate on treatment implications and recommendations

 1. Completion Time

Average IQ; 8th grade education

 Total completion time: 90 mins
2 or more hours to complete it might signify;
 Major psychological disturbances
 Obsessive indecision
 Below-average IQ or poor reading ability
Less than 60 mins might signify;
 An invalid profile
 Impulsive personality
 Validity of the profile

Can not say

Lie scale (L / Lie)
Infrequency Scale (F / Validity)
Denial/defensive (K / Correction)
 Can not say (?)

Cannot say scale;

 If 30 or more items are left unanswered the protocol is most
likely to be invalid
Probable reasons;
 Reading difficulties
 Psychomotor retardation
 Confusion
 Indecision
 Extreme defensiveness
 Paranoid over interpretation
 Perception that the unanswered items are irrelevant
 Lie scale (L)

Attempts to present him/herself in an unrealistically

positive manner
Descriptions of relatively minor flaws to which most
would admit
Cutoff point 10 raw score
Probable reasons;
 Unrealistic view of self or attempt at deception
 Inflexible; views world in a self-centered manner
 Poor insight due to denial of flaws
 Low tolerance to stress
 Poor candidates for psychotherapy
 Infrequency Scale (F):

 Measures the extent to which a person answers in an atypical and

deviant manner *items included have been endorsed by less than
10% of the population
 Cutoff Above 16 raw score
 High scores on F are typically accompanied by high scores on
many of the clinical scales
 High scores can often be used as a general indicator of pathology
 Specific life circumstances to which the person might be reacting
to
 Infrequency Scale (F):

Elevations on F may occur for the following reasons:

 (a) severe psychopathology, especially of psychotic type;

 (b) difficulties in reading comprehension, confusion caused

by active psychotic disruption, or a random or careless
pattern of responding;
 (c) the exaggeration of psychopathology out of a sense of
fear/panic/distress, or as a cry for help; or
 (d) malingering.
 Denial/defensive (K)

Similar to L scale
 Whereas only unsophisticated and naïve would score high on L
scale; more intelligent and psychologically sophisticated
persons might score high on this and score average on L
Cutoff point 30 raw score
Might at times reflect good ego strength, effective
emotional defenses, good contact with reality and
excellent coping skills
 Scoring
C U M U L A T I N G T R U E / F A L S E

R A W S C O R E

C O N V E R S I O N T O T - S C O R E

T - S C O R E W I T H O U T ‘ K ’

T - S C O R E W I T H ‘ K ’

P L O T T I N G O F G R A P H I N E N G L I S H V E R S I O N
 Coding

STEPS FOR CODING THE PROFILE

 Coding

1. Write down the number of the scale having the largest T-score
2. Follow the descending order of the T score / value greater than
54. do not include the value that is equal to 54.
3. Insert a prime ( ’ ) after the last number in the code in which T-
scores are 70 or higher than 70.
4. Underline all remaining scale numbers where T scores are equal
or within 1 point of each other. Only take those numbers that are
above 54.
5. Put a dash ( - ) and then write the number of the scale in which T
score is lower than 46.
 Coding

6. Code the validity scales in their respective order; [L, F, K]

7. If the raw score of L = or > (greater than) 10, the profile is
considered to be invalid.
8. If the raw score of F = or > (greater than) 16, place a capital X
after the code of clinical scales. It shows the possibility that
the profile is invalid.
9. Separate each number of the validity scale scores with the
help of a colon ( : )
 Example

Coding I:
312’70–5086 4:5:4

Coding II:
2 6 8’ 9 7 3 – 5 10 6 11:5:3 (X)
 Interpretation

‘ ? ’ C A N N O T S A Y S C A L E

‘ L ’ L I E S C A L E [ 1 0 ]

‘ F ’ I N F R E Q U E N C Y S C A L E [ 1 6 ]

‘ K ’ C O R R E C T I O N F A C T O R [ C e i l i n g i s 3 0 ]
 Neurotic triad:

D depression

Hs Hy
hypochondriasis hysteria
Pt
Psychasthenia
 Behavioral Problem Triad:

MF masculinity, Femininity

Pd Ma
psychopathic hypomania
deviation
 Psychotic triad:

Sch schizophrenia

D Pa
depression paranoia
Ma
hypomania
 Class Activity 1: Coding
T SCORES: ? 46
L 50
F 55
K 35
HS 74
D 71
HY 79
PD 46
MF 39
PA 30
PT 63
SC 32
MA 35
SI 61
 Coding:

 Step 1: finding the scores for the validity scales

 ? L F K
 15 4 5 4
 Step 2: numbering the items in the list

 Hs D Hy Pd Mf Pa Pt Sc
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
 74 71 79 46 39 30 63 32

 Ma Si
 9 10
 35 61
 Step 3: write the T scores in the format provided

 79 74 71’ 63 61 – 39 35 32 30

 Step 4: write the numbers of the T scores

 3 1 2’ 7 0 – 5 9 8 6
 Step 5: add the validity scores separated by a long
space and inter-separated by colons at the end of the
numbered clinical code.

 3 1 2’ 7 0 – 5 9 8 6 4:5:4

 Step 6: write this code at the very beginning of your

report in the discussion of results portion.
 Class Activity2: Coding
T SCORES:
? 7
L 3
F 5
K 3
HS 45
D 55
HY 54
PD 72
MF 52
PA 56
PT 46
SC 48
MA 69
SI 50
 Coding:

 Raw Scores for the validity scales

 ? L F K
18 10 4 21
 Code

4’ 9 6 2 – 1 10:4:21
 Scale 1. Hypochondriasis (Hs)

Measures amount of abnormal concerns about the

bodily functions
Designed to distinguish hypochondriacs from other
types of psychiatric patients.
Although it can suggest a diagnosis of Hypochondriasis,
it is most useful as a scale to indicate a variety of
personality characteristics that are often consistent with,
but not necessarily diagnostic of, Hypochondriasis.
Egocentric / immature / pessimistic / sour / whiny /
passive-aggressive.
 Scale 1. Hypochondriasis (Hs)

T > 70 Extreme and sometimes bizarre somatic

concerns; consider somatic delusions; chronic pain,
Somatic complaints, may develop somatic symptoms
in times of stress; chronic pain

T= 55-64 Moderate elevation Somatic complaints;

lacks energy, demanding, dissatisfied, complaining,
whiny

T < 45 low score: no interpretation

 Scale 2. Depression (D)

Measures depth of clinically recognizable symptoms

or symptoms of complex depression.
Items are organized around the areas of brooding,
physical slowness, subjective feelings of depression,
mental apathy, and physical malfunctioning.
Highly sensitive to criticism, hence they might
attempt to avoid confrontations at all costs.
Conventional, cautious, passive, and unassertive.
 Scale 2. Depression (D)

T > 70 Serious clinical depression; suicidal ideation;

feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy, worried,
somatic complaints

T= 55-64 Moderate elevation: Dissatisfied with life

situation; introverted, withdrawn; restricted range of
interests; lacking in self-confidence

T < 45 Low score; no interpretation

 Scale 3. Hysteria (Hy)

Measures degree to which the subject is like patient who

have developed conversion type hysteria symptoms.
Designed to identify patients who had developed a
psychogenically based sensory or motor disorder.
The important feature of persons who score high on this
scale is that they simultaneously report specific physical
complaints but also use a style of denial in which they may
even express an exaggerated degree of optimism.
highly conforming / immature / naïve / childishly self-
centered / impulsive / strong needs for approval, support,
and affection but will attempt to obtain these through
indirect and manipulative means.
 Scale 3. Hysteria (Hy)

T > 70 Extreme somatic complaints; consider

conversion disorder; reacts to stress by developing
somatic symptoms; chronic pain; lacks insight
concerning causes of symptoms

T= 55-64 Moderate elevations; Somatic complaints;

denial, immature, self-centered; demanding;
suggestible,

T < 45 Low score; no interpretation

 Scale 4. Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)

Measures difficulty, absence of deep emotional response,

inability to profit from experience, disregard of social norms
Assess the person’s general level of social adjustment. The
questions deal with areas such as degree of alienation from
family, social resistance, difficulties with school and
authority figures, and alienation from self and society
They were people who seemed unconcerned about the social
consequences of their behavior and yet did not appear to
suffer from neurotic or psychotic difficulties.
High scorers typically have problems with persons in
authority, frequent marital and work difficulties, and poor
tolerance for boredom.
 Scale 4. Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)

T > 70 Antisocial behavior; trouble with the law,

Rebellious, non-conforming; family problems;
impulsive, angry, irritable, dissatisfied;

T= 55-64 Moderate elevation; unconventional;

immature, self-centered; superficial relationships;

T < 45 Low score; over controlled, self-critical, rigid,

conventional, and over identified with social status.
Scale 5. Masculinity – Femininity (Pd)

Measures tendency toward masculinity or femininity of interest

patterns

For Men
- Elevated score / Higher the score lower the traditional masculine
interests would be and vice versa
- Lower scores meaning more traditional masculine interests

For Women
- Elevated score / Higher the scores lower the interest in traditional
feminine role would be
- Lower the scores higher the traditional feminine interests would be
 Scale 6. Paranoia (Pa)

Derived by contrasting normal person with clinical

patients with suspiciousness, over sensitivity and
delusions of persecution, with or without expansive
egotism
Designed to identify persons with paranoid
conditions or paranoid states. It measures a person’s
degree of interpersonal sensitivity, self-righteousness,
and suspiciousness.
T > 70 indicate persons who are highly suspicious, vengeful,
brooding, resentful, and angry.

T= 55-64 Moderate elevations are much less likely to reflect overtly

psychotic trends. However, these persons are still likely to be
suspicious, argumentative, potentially hostile, and quite sensitive in
interpersonal relationships. They might easily misinterpret the
benign statements of others as personal criticisms.

T < 45 Low elevations usually described in relatively favorable terms.

These include hardworking, industrious, moralistic, sentimental,
softhearted, peaceable, generous, and trusting unless betrayed.
 Scale 7. Psychasthenia (Pt)

Measure similarity to psychiatric patients who are

troubled with phobias or compulsive behavior.
It consisted of compulsions, obsessions,
unreasonable fears, and excessive doubts. Thus, it is
quite similar to what today would be an anxiety
disorder with obsessive-compulsive features.
 Scale 7. Psychasthenia (Pt)

T > 70 indicate tense, indecisive, obsessionally worried,

and have difficulty concentrating.

T= 55-64 Moderately elevated (Scales 7 and 2), suggests

that these individuals are difficult to change from therapy
but insight and relief from stress may lead to good
adjustment.

T < 45 low elevations suggest certain level of anxiety, these

persons will be orderly, conscientious, reliable, persistent,
and organized
 Scale 8. Schizophrenia (Sc)

Measures similarity to patients with bizarre and

unusual thoughts or behavior.
Designed to identify persons who were experiencing
schizophrenic or schizophrenic-like conditions. This
goal has been partially successful in that a diagnosis
of schizophrenia is raised as a possibility in the case
of persons who score extremely high.
 Scale 8. Schizophrenia (Sc)

T > 70 Confused, disorganized thinking; hallucinations

and/or delusions; impaired contact with reality; rule out
medical conditions, substance abuse, Schizoid life style;
unusual beliefs; eccentric behaviors; confused, fearful,
sad; somatic complaints; uninvolved; excessive fantasy
and daydreaming

T= 55-64 Moderate elevation; Limited interest in other

people; impractical; feelings of inadequacy and insecurity

T < 45 Low score; no interpretation

 Scale 9. Hypomania (Ma)

Measures marked over productivity in thoughts and

actions.
These symptoms might include cyclical periods of
euphoria, increased irritability, and excessive
unproductive activity that might be used as a
distraction to stave off an impending depression.
 Scale 9. Hypomania (Ma)

T > 70 Manic symptoms, including excessive purposeless activity;

hallucinations, delusions of grandeur; confusion, flight of ideas,
Excessive energy, lacks direction, conceptual disorganizing,
unrealistic self-appraisal; impulsive, low frustration tolerance

Males with T= 55-64 moderate to mild elevations and with no

history of psychiatric disturbance might be described as warm,
enthusiastic, outgoing, and uninhibited (abandoned).

T= 55-64 Moderate elevations are often more able to focus and

direct their energy in productive directions. They are Active,
energetic, extroverted, creative, rebellious, enterprising, impulsive
 Scale 9. Hypomania (Ma)

T < 45 Low elevation are likely to have low levels of

energy and activity. They are often described as
dependable, responsible, conventional, practical, and
reliable, but may also lack self-confidence.
Extremely low scores suggest serious depression, even
if Scale 2 is in normal limits.
 Scale 0. Social Introversion (Si)

Measures tendency to withdraw from social contact with others.

Higher the score more introverted you are, lower the scores
more extroverted you will be

T > 70 Extreme social withdrawal/avoidance, Introverted,

depressed, guilty, slow personal tempo; lacks self- confidence;
lacks interests; submissive, compliant, emotionally over-
controlled

T= 55-64 Shy, timid; lacks self-confidence; reliable, dependable

T < 45 Extroverted, gregarious, self-reliant, energetic, competitive,

under-controlled, manipulative