MMPI Item Changes by College Students under Ideal-Self Response Set

This paper reports item changes when college students were asked to assume a set to the MMPI in which they answer as they “would like to be.” Accumulated evidence from several populations separated by a period of years and by culture background demonstrated a consensual profile. While weighted in the direction of social favorability, the group profile is distinguished by a theme of self-mastery in social situations. Item analysis indicated an area of idealized acceptance or rejection of items which has potential value in personality assessment. The findings also have implications for desirability as a factor in MMPI records and for the validity of “subtle” items.