How to Interpret MMPI-2 Scales

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is one of the most widely used tests by psychologists to aid in the diagnosis of mental illness. It consists of 567 true/false questions that are answered by the patient to the best of his ability. Scores are then assigned for each of 10 clinical scales: Hypochondriasis, Depression, Conversion Hysteria, Psychopathic Deviate, Masculinity-Femininity, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, Hypomania, and Social Introversion. Scores are also assigned for each of 7 validity scales: Cannot Say, Lie, Frequency/Infrequency, Correction, Variable Response Inconsistency, True Response Inconsistency, and Fake Bad. The results are then interpreted.

Things You'll Need

• Completed and scored MMPI-2 test
• Sample profiles
• MMPI-2 interpretation aid

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Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Find the number of questions left unanswered (also known as the “Cannot Say” scale). If the number of questions left unanswered is 30 or more, declare the results of the test to be invalid.

• 2

  Examine the other 6 validity scales. The scores on these scales determine how valid the results of the clinical scales are. If the scores on any of the validity scales are high, take extra caution when examining the clinical scales.

• 3

  Examine each of the 10 clinical scales. Note which scales have a score of 65 or higher, as these scores are considered to be clinically significant.

• 4

  Study each of the clinically significant scales. Determine if the characteristics typical of a person in such a category are consistent with that of the patient.

• 5

  Use the sample profiles to locate previous test-takers who yielded high scores on the same scales as the current patient. Study the profiles of these clients and determine their common characteristics.

• 6

  Determine whether the results of the MMPI-2 should be applied to the current patient. It is recommended that one or several professionally-developed aids be used in diagnosing a patient.