Exploring MMPI-Rorschach Relationships

Limitations exist in the current literature examining Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)—Rorschach interrelationships. In this article I attempt to identify several issues to be addressed by researchers in this area. These include restricting conclusions about MMPI—Rorschach relationships to research using the Comprehensive System; considering the relative reliability and validity of these tests; comparing the predictive power of the Rorschach and MMPI; examining the effects extreme outliers have on statistical analyses; and determining the appropriate level of analysis for research, the level of individual test scores, or psychological constructs. The implications of these issues for research design, statistical analysis, and applied clinical work are discussed.     

A Review of MMPI and Rorschach interrelationships in adult samples

The MMPI and Rorschach are consistently ranked among the most widely used psychological assessment instruments across adolescent and adult clinical settings. Although there is an extensive research literature available on each instrument individually, relatively little research attention has been focused on the interrelationships between these measures. This article reviews the literature derived from 37 studies that have reported interrelationships between MMPI and Rorschach variables in adult populations. The results of these studies generally indicate limited or minimal relationships between the MMPI and Rorschach. A number of methodological issues, however, prevent drawing firm conclusions from the literature at this time. Directions for future research are discussed, including consideration of issues related to sources of alpha and beta error and the need for studies examining the incremental validity of combinations of Rorschach and MMPI data in prediction to relevant external criteria.     

Some reflections on "MMPI short forms: a literature review"

Stevens and Reilley (1980) have suggested that recent changes in the methodological approaches for developing short forms of the MMPI make them an expanding and fruitful area of research. Since Stevens and Reilley did not address several important issues in the development and use of Short forms, these issues are reviewed and suggestions are presented for future research with short forms.     

Conversion equations for modified scoring of the MMPI-168

For a sample of 300 patients who had been administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the MMPI-168 was extracted from the full MMPI and scored to incorporate those items normally excluded by Form R keys. MMPI-168 correlations with the full MMPI ranged from .80 to .97 with a mean of .90, indicating satisfactory statistical validity, and modified scoring was shown to improve predictability for Pa and Sc. Using these data, substitution equations for transforming MMPI-168 raw scores to estimates of full-scale scores were calculated. These transformations did not differ greatly from those reported in previous research except on Pa and Sc, where additional items increase scale length substantially.     

Sensitivity of the Faschingbauer abbreviated MMPI to hospitalized adolescents

Comparisons were obtained between Faschingbauer's abbreviated MMPI (FAM) and the standard MMPI for a sample of hospitalized adolescent psychiatric patients. The results showed close statistical correspondence, highly correlated scale group means, and high comparability in identifying valid and invalid profiles. Additionally, the FAM was successful in predicting several gross indices of psychopathology as well as high-point elevations on the standard-form MMPI. A replication supported the stability of these findings.     

Validity of the MMPI subtle items

This article presents a review and critique of research on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subtle items in regard to their validity as measures of their scales' characteristics. The main categories of focus are their convergent and discriminative validity, the paradoxical effect, and the issue of whether removing these items would improve MMPI validity. Important problems in the methodologies are noted and discussed in some detail. These methodological concerns and the conflicting results across studies obscure firm conclusions on the validity of the subtle items, although strong support is lacking. However, more evidence is needed before deciding to remove these items from the MMPI; therefore, this article provides recommendations for future research.     

Using the MMPI–2–RF to Discriminate Psychometrically Identified Schizotypic College Students From a Matched Comparison Sample

This study investigates the extent to which the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI–2–RF) profiles of 52 individuals making up a psychometrically identified schizotypes (SZT) sample could be successfully discriminated from the protocols of 52 individuals in a matched comparison (MC) sample. Replication analyses were performed with an additional 53 pairs of SZT and MC participants. Results showed significant differences in mean T-score values between these 2 groups across a variety of MMPI–2–RF scales. Results from discriminant function analyses indicate that schizotypy can be predicted effectively using 4 MMPI–2–RF scales and that this method of classification held up on replication. Additional results demonstrated that these MMPI–2–RF scales nominally outperformed MMPI–2 scales suggested by previous research as being indicative of schizophrenia liability. Directions for future research with the MMPI–2–RF are suggested.     

Clinical Considerations in the Conjoint Use of the Rorschach and the MMPI

Contemporary clinical and research findings concerning the Rorschach and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) indicate that (a) objectivity and subjectivity are relative and not categorical dimensions of these two instruments; (b) apparent contradictions between Rorschach and MMPI results are generative and not invalidating; (c) within limits, false negative findings are not cause for concern in the clinical application of Rorschach and MMPI variables; and (d) differences between the Rorschach and the MMPI in how they are structured and what they measure demonstrate considerable advantage in using them in complementary fashion to support clinical inferences.     

Remarks on method for MMPI-Rorschach studies

An impressionistic list of methodological considerations that may be of consequence in Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-Rorschach studies is presented. These include the potential effects of the multidimensionality of the basic clinical MMPI scales in comparison studies, issues of deception and response style in such studies, and the rote of theory in guiding the selection of variables in the search for MMPI-Rorschach correspondences. The recently established necessity of controls for the total number of Rorschach responses provides the basis for suggestions for further controls in MMPI-Rorschach studies, including those for level of distress and for the minimization/exaggeration of psychopathology. An effort is made to contrast these two instruments in terms borrowed from information theory as a way of illuminating their complementary aspects, and suggesting means by which each may contribute to an enhanced understanding of the other.     

Clinical considerations in the conjoint use of the Rorschach and the MMPI

Contemporary clinical and research findings concerning the Rorschach and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) indicate that (a) objectivity and subjectivity are relative and not categorical dimensions of these two instruments; (b) apparent contradictions between Rorschach and MMPI results are generative and not invalidating; (c) within limits, false negative findings are not cause for concern in the clinical application of Rorschach and MMPI variables; and (d) differences between the Rorschach and the MMPI in how they are structured and what they measure demonstrate considerable advantage in using them in complementary fashion to support clinical inferences.     

Use of Local Norms to Improve High-Point Code-Type Concordance of Two Short Forms of the MMPI

Criticisms of short forms of the MMPI have been based on claims of unsatisfactory high-point code-type concordance rates. The use of local norms has been suggested as a possible solution for these low concordance rates. In this study local norms for three client populations were developed for the MMPI-168 and Faschingbauer's abbreviated MMPI. These local norms did not significantly increase high-point code-type concordance. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed and suggestions for future research offered.     

Trends in research on the Rorschach: Review and recommendations

Meta-analyses have shown that the Rorschach and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) have roughly equivalent psychometric properties. Assessment continues to be stressed in psychological training, and the Rorschach continues to be emphasized in courses on assessment. The most frequently used test battery includes the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised or Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, the MMPI, and projective devices such as the Rorschach or Thematic Apperception Test. A survey of the literature from 1983 to 1991 showed that research on the Rorschach concerns mainly issues of formal diagnosis and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the instrument. Such research does not evaluate the Rorschach as it is usually employed to arrive at decision about individuals. More appropriate research models are recommended, in which Rorschach data are added to or deleted from other assessment information in order to evaluate the influence of the inclusion of the Rorschach on judgments made by competent clinicians about relevant issues in individual cases.     

A Factor Mixture Model Approach to Elaborating on Offender Mental Health Classification With the MMPI–2–RF

A large proportion of prison inmates suffer from mental illnesses or severe personality disorders; therefore, offender classification is a worthwhile endeavor both for efficiently allocating mental health treatment resources and security risk classification. This study sought to elaborate on offender classification by using an advanced statistical technique, factor mixture modeling, which capitalizes on the strengths of both latent trait analysis and latent class analysis. A sample consisting of 616 male and 194 female prison inmates was used for this purpose. The MMPI–2–RF Restructured Clinical (RC) scales were used to elaborate on a variety of latent trait, latent class, and factor mixture models. A 3-factor, 5-class mixture model was deemed optimal in this sample. Remaining MMPI–2–RF scales as well as scores on external criterion measures relevant to externalizing psychopathology were used to further elaborate on the utility of the resulting latent classes. These analyses indicated that 3 of the 5 classes were predominantly different expressions of externalizing personality proclivities, whereas the remaining 2 indicated inmates with substantial internalizing or thought-disordered characteristics. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

MMPI short forms with adolescents: gender differences in accuracy

The influence of gender on accuracy for eight short forms of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was investigated using a sample of adolescents. MMPI responses from 318 male and 248 female psychiatric patients, aged 12 to 17, were scored for the standard MMPI, Mini-Mult (using two methods; Kincannon, 1968), Midi-Mult (Dean, 1972), two Maxi-Mults (McLachlan, 1974; Spera & Robertson, 1974), Hugo Short Form (Hugo, 1972), Faschingbauer Abbreviated MMPI (FAM; Faschingbauer, 1974), and MMPI-168 (Overall & Gomez-Mont, 1974). Discrepancy values were obtained for all short-form T-scores by subtracting each short-form T-score from its corresponding standard form T-score. These discrepancy values were analyzed using Gender x Short Form repeated measures multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs). Because the number of scales varied among the short forms, two separate analyses were performed, one containing all short forms but only the 11 scales that appeared on all short forms and the other containing all scales but only the three short forms that contained all scales. McLachlan's (1974) Maxi-Mult was excluded from the analysis because of its nearly identical statistical properties to Spera and Robertson's (1974) Maxi-Mult. The interaction was significant on most scales in both analyses. Simple-effects breakdowns of the interactions revealed that the accuracy of each short form differed according to gender on several scales, following no consistent pattern. The Midi-Mult and Maxi-Mult are guardedly recommended as the short forms with the lowest number of scales showing a gender difference; however, the reader is cautioned that this difference is still present in more than one third of the scales. Further research on short-form development is advocated.     

Relationships Between the CPI, MMPI, and locus of control in a nonacademic environment

Summary: Rotter's Internal-External (I-E) locus of control scale, the MMPI, and the CPI were administered to a sample of 100 males heterogeneous in age and education level. Relationships between I-E and the other measures were examined and a substantial number of significant correlations were found. Considerable variance in I-E scores could be accounted for by similar variance in MMPI and CPI responses, but a discriminant analysis failed to enable reliable predictions of I-E from other scales. The findings qualify the interpretation of correlational relationships found in previous research concerning I-E and suggest specific directions for future investigations.     

An ontological test of the IAT: Self-activation can increase predictive validity

Extensive research has been conducted demonstrating the predictive validity and reliability of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) for a broad array of behaviors and contexts. However, less work has been done examining its underlying construct validity. This contribution focuses on examining whether a core theoretical foundation of the IAT paradigm is valid, specifically, whether the IAT effect draws on the social knowledge structure (SKS). We present four studies within different domains that show that the IAT does indeed appear to draw on the SKS. The data show that activation of the self before the categorization task enhances the predictive validity of the IAT, as one would expect if the IAT reflects the SKS. We discuss theoretical reasons for these findings, with emphasis also on underlying statistical/psychometric issues.     

MMPI ratings of suicide risk.

Among past attempts to use MMPI data to predict suicidal behavior, there has been a lack of research on the ability of clinicians to identify MMPI profiles of suicidal persons. In this study, the MMPI profiles of 20 male psychiatric patients who committed suicide and the MMPI profiles of 20 male patients who did not attempt or commit suicide were presented to six clinical psychologists with expertise in MMPI interpretation. The clinicians were asked to classify each MMPI profile as coming from a patient who did or did not later commit suicide, and to rate eight variables thought to be relevant to the assessment of suicide risk. Data analysis revealed that the clinicians could not identify suicide and nonsuicide patients from their MMPI profiles. Furthermore, the ratings of the eight suicide variable did not differentiate suicide and nonsuicide patients.     

The convergent validity of MMPI and Rorschach scales: an extension using profile scores to define response and character styles on both methods and a reexamination of simple Rorschach response frequency

Past research indicated the convergence of Rorschach and MMPI scales may be a function of (a) simple Rorschach response frequency (R) or (b) complex response-character styles on both methods. In this study, new criteria were developed for defining the second assumption using F and K from the MMPI and R and Lambda from the Rorschach. Although substantially different from the factor criteria used previously (KS = .45 and .30), the new criteria still produced the expected pattern of correlations among MMPI and Rorschach scales. Averaged across 17 constructs, the new criteria produced strong validity coefficients for patients with similar styles (M composite r = .50), though they were less effective for patients with discordant styles (M composite r = -.27). It was also demonstrated that R by itself does not moderate convergent validity. Rather, statistical modeling with two sets of 300 random samples (a) demonstrated the prior findings related to R were the result of sampling error and (b) supported the general hypothesis that Rorschach and MMPI scales correlate to the extent response-character styles correlate. Implications are considered.     

Comparison of three abbreviated MMPIs for psychiatric patients and normals.

Two studies, one using 242 psychiatric patients and the other 120 normal college students, were conducted to evaluate the predictive potential of three abbreviated MMPIs namely the Midi-Mult, Hugo abbreviated MMPI and Faschingbauer abbreviated MMPI. With regard to psychiatric inpatients, the Faschingbauer abbreviated MMPI-scale group means were markedly similar, highly correlated, and seemed to be a fairly accurate substitute for the MMPI in predicting clinical types. Numerous deficiencies were evident when using the Midi-Mult or Hugo abbreviated MMPI, especially with regard to classification analysis concerning validity, mean raw score scale differences and high point codes. In contrast, results from a normal college sample showed close statistical correspondence, high comparability in identifying valid and invalid profiles as well as high correspondence with respect to high point codes and general profile elevations regardless of which abbreviated form was used.