1. MMPI-2
Interpretation

2. Interpretation
Scales gives results in T-Scores in which the mean is 50 with a standard deviation of 10.
Check the validity of the test administration.

3. Cannot Say Scale (?) Items left unanswered or double answered.
1-2 are normal.
Interpret with caution any protocol with 10 or more Cannot Say items.
Do not interpret any protocols with more than 30 Cannot Say items (you can go back to encourage your client to complete the items.

4. Cannot Say Scale cont’d
Hypotheses for elevated scores:
Defensiveness
Indecisiveness
Fatigue, low mood
Carelessness
Low reading skill
Perceived irrelevance of items

5. Lie (L) Scale
This scale attempts to detect a deliberate & unsophisticated attempt of the client to present himself/herself in a favorable light.
T-Scores of 65 or higher are indicative of individuals who:
Try to create a favorable impression of themselves by not being totally honest.
May be defensive, denying, and repressing.
May be confused.

6. L Scale cont’d
4. May be self-controlled & manifests little or no insight into their motivations.
5. Show little awareness of consequences to other people resulting from their behavior.
6. Tend to overvalue their own worth.
7. Tend to be conventional & socially conforming.
8. Are unoriginal in thinking & flexibility in problem solving.
9. Are rigid & moralistic.

7. L Scale cont’d 10. Have prior tolerance for stress & pressure.
11. May be unsophisticated & trying to make a favorable impression.
T-Scores between are indicative of individuals who:
Are more conforming than usual.
Have a tendency to resort to denial mechanisms.

8. L-Scale cont’d T-Scores <45 are indicative of individuals who:
Probably responded frankly to the items
Are confident enough about themselves to be able to admit to minor faults.
In some cases, may be exaggerating negative characteristics.
Are perceptive & socially reliant.
Are seen as strong & relaxed.
Are self-reliant & independent.

9. L-Scale cont’d 7. Can function effectively in leadership roles.
8. Communicate ideas effectively.
9. May be described by others as cynical & sarcastic.
Profiles with T-Scores of >65 should not be interpreted as they are invalid.

10. Infrequency (F) Scale
This scale reflects infrequently endorsed items & is a measure of symptom exaggeration (faking bad).
T-scores of >100 are indicative of individuals who:
May have responded randomly to MMPI-2 items.
May have responded either all True or all False.
May have been faking bad responses.

11. F-Scale cont’d T-Scores of 80-99 are indicative of individuals who:
May be malingering
May be exaggerating symptoms & problems as a plea for help
May be quite resistant to the testing procedure
May be clearly psychotic by the usual criteria

12. F-Scale cont’d T-Scores of 65-79 are indicative of individuals who:
May have very deviant social, political, or religious convictions
May manifest clinically severe neurotic or psychotic disorders
If relatively free of psychopathology, are usually described as moody, restless, dissatisfied, changeable, unstable, curious, complex, opinionated, opportunistic

13. F-Scale cont’d
Low scores on the F-Scale (T<50) are indicative of individuals who:
Answered items as most normal people do
Are likely to be free of disabling psychopathology
Are socially conforming
May have faked good

14. Infrequency Back (Fb) Scale
Assesses the endorsement of low frequency items on the latter part of the MMPI-2.
Measures the same constructs as the F-Scale.
T-Scores >100
1. Indicate an invalid protocol, especially if F-Scale is >110

15. Fb Scale cont’d T-Scores <89
If F-Scale T-Score is <89, indicate a valid approach to the test
If F-Scale T-Score is >89, do not interpret Content or Harris –Lingoes Scales

16. Correction (K) Scale Measures of test defensiveness.
Assesses the willingness of the client to disclose personal information & to discuss his/her problems.
K-Score is used to adjust Hs, Pd, Pt, Sc, & Ma scales.

17. K-Scale cont’d T-Scores >65 are indicative of individuals who:
May have responded false to most of the items
May have tried to fake good
May be trying to give an appearance of adequacy, control, & effectiveness
Are shy & inhibited
Are hesitant about becoming emotionally involved with people

18. K-Scale cont’d
6. Are intolerant & unaccepting of unconventional attitudes & beliefs in others.
7. Lack insight & self-understanding
8. Are not likely to display overt delinquent behavior
9. If clinical scales are also elevated, may be seriously disturbed psychologically but have not awareness of it
10. If not seriously disturbed psychologically, may have above-average ego strength & other positive characteristics

19. K-Scale cont’d T-Scores 56-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Are being defensive & unwilling to acknowledge psychological distress
May exhibit denial & hysteroid defenses (especially in lower SES)

20. K-Scale cont’d T-Scores 41-55 are indicative of individuals who:
Maintain a healthy balance between positive self-evaluation & self-criticism
Are psychologically well-adjusted
Show few overt signs of emotional disturbance
Are independent & self-reliant
Are capable of dealing with problems in day-to-day life

21. K-Scale cont’d 6. Exhibit wide interests
7. Are ingenious, enterprising, versatile, & resourceful
8. Are clear thinking & approach problems in reasonable & systematic ways
9. Are good mixers socially
10. Are enthusiastic & verbally fluent
11. Take ascendant roles in relationships

22. K-Scale cont’d T-Scores of 35-40 are indicative of individuals who:
Are experiencing severe distress that is being openly acknowledged
Have poor self-concepts & are strongly self-dissatisfied but lack either interpersonal skills or techniques necessary to alter the situation
In lower SES, may indicate a moderate disturbance
In higher SES, indicates more serious distress

23. K-Scale cont’d T-Scores < 35 are indicative of persons who:
May have responded True to most of the items
May have faked bad
May be exaggerating problems as a cry for help
May exhibit acute psychotic or organic confusion
Are critical of self & others & are dissatisfied with self

24. K-Scale cont’d
6. Are ineffective in dealing with problems of daily life
7. Show little insight into their own motives & behaviors
8. Are socially conforming
9. Are overly compliant with authority
10. Have a slow personal tempo
11. Are inhibited, retiring, & shallow
12.Are socially awkward
13. Are blunt & harsh in social situations
14. Are cynical, skeptical, caustic, & disbelieving.
15. Are suspicious about the motivations of others

25. Clinical Scales Scale 1: Hypochondriasis (Hs)
Items focus on bodily concerns with a physiological basis or individuals who exaggerate bodily concerns
T-Scores of >65 are indicative of individuals who:
Have excessive bodily concerns
Describe somatic complaints that are generally vague.
Complain of chronic weakness, lack of energy, & sleep disturbance

26. Scale 1 cont’d
4. If medical patients, they may have a strong psychological component to their illness
5. Are likely to be diagnosed as having somatoform pain, depressive, or anxiety disorders
6. Seem selfish, self-centered, & narcissistic
7. Are unhappy & dissatisfied
8. Make others miserable
9. See themselves as medically ill & seek medical treatment

27. Scale 1 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Have some concern about bodily functioning
Are likely to be seen as immature, stubborn, & lacking drive
Scores in the lower end of this range are typical for individuals with physical handicaps & individuals with actual physical disease

28. Scale 1 cont’d Normal range T-Scores 40-57
T-Scores <40 are indicative of individuals who:
Are free of somatic preoccupation
Are alert, sensitive, & insightful
Are generally effective in their daily lives
Scores in this range are typical of individuals in helping professions

29. Scale 2: Depression (D)
Items reflect the feelings of discouragement, pessimism, & hopelessness, as well as the personality feature of hyper-responsibility, high personal standards, and intrapunitiveness.
T-Scores >65 are indicative of individuals who:
Display depressive symptoms
Feel blue, unhappy, dysphoric

30. Scale 2 cont’d 3. Are quite pessimistic about the future
4. Have self-deprecatory & guilty feelings
5. Are agitated & tense
6. Are described as irritable, high strung, & prone to worry
7. Lack self-confidence
8. Feel useless & unable to function
9. Have lifestyles characterized by withdrawal & lack of involvement
10. Have difficulty making decisions

31. Scale 2 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Are dissatisfied with something or with themselves but may not recognize this state as depression
May not be overly concerned about what is happening to them
May have learned to adjust to a chronically depressed existence

32. Scale 2 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Do not experience much tension, anxiety, guilt or depression
Feel relaxed & at ease
Are self-confident
Are emotionally stable & capable of effective functioning in most situations
Are alert active & energetic

33. Scale 3: Hysteria (Hy)
Items reflect physical complaints & troubling disorders & others which reflect denial of problems & a lack of social anxiety.
T-Scores >65 are indicative of individuals who:
React to stress & avoid responsibility through the development of physical symptoms
Have symptoms that may appear & disappear suddenly

34. Scale 3 cont’d
3. May report headaches, stomach discomfort, chest pains, weakness, & tachycardia
4. Do not report severe emotional turmoil
5. Lack insight concerning causes of symptoms
6. Lack insight about their own motives & feelings
7. Are psychologically immature, childish, & infantile
8. Expect a great deal of attention & affection from others

35. Scale 3 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Are likely to be exhibitionistic extroverted, & superficial
Are naïve, self-centered, & deny any problems
They prefer to look on the optimistic side of life & avoid any unpleasant issues

36. Scale 3 cont’d T-Scores 40-57: Normal range
T-Scores <40 are indicative of individuals who:
Do not worry excessively about their health
Do not present somatic symptoms
Are constricted, conventional, & conforming
Are cold & aloof
May display blunted affects
Have limited social interests & participation
Are suspicious & have difficulties trusting others

37. Scale 4: Psychopathic Deviate (Pd)
Items assess a lack of concern about most social & moral standards of conduct.
T-Scores of >65 are indicative of individuals who:
Have difficulty incorporating values & standards of society into their lives
May engage in social & antisocial acts
Are rebellious toward authority figures
Blame family members for their difficulties
Have histories of underachievement

38. Scale 4 cont’d
6. Are impulsive & strive for immediate gratifications of impulses
7. Are impatient, have limited frustration tolerance
8. Show poor judgment; take risks
9. Are seen by others as immature & childish
10. Are insensitive to the needs & feelings of others
11. Have shallow & superficial relationships
12. Are extroverted & outgoing

39. Scale 4 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who
May be genuinely concerned about social problems & issues
May be responding to situational conflicts
May have adjusted to a habitual level of interpersonal & social conflict
T-Scores 40-57: Normal range

40. Scale 4 cont’d T-Scores <40 are indicative of individuals who
Tend to be conventional, conforming, & accepting of authority
Are passive, submissive, & unassertive
Are concerned about how others will react to them
Tend to be sincere & trusting in relationships
Have a narrow range of interests

41. Scale 5: Masculinity-Femininity (Mf)
Items are intended as a measure of gender role development, including emotional reactions, interests, attitudes & feelings in which men & women differ
For men:
T-Scores >65 are indicative of men who:
May have sexual problems & concerns
May be experiencing conflicts in sexual identity & insecurity about masculine adequacy
May display clear effeminate behaviors.
May lack stereotypical male interests
Have aesthetic & artistic interests

42. Scale 5 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of men who:
Tend toward aesthetic interests, such as art, music, & literature
Are rather passive & prefer to work through problems in a covert & indirect manner
This is the typical range for most college-educated males

43. Scale 5 cont’d T-Scores 40-57: Normal range
T-Scores <40 are indicative of men who:
Are presenting themselves as extremely masculine
Have stereotypical masculine interests
Overemphasize strength & physical prowess
Are described by others as aggressive, thrill-seeking, adventurous, & reckless
May show coarse, crude, vulgar talk & behavior

44. Scale 5 cont’d For women: T-Scores >65 are indicative of women who:
Are not interested in appearing or behaving according to traditional female roles
Have interests that tend to be stereotypically more masculine
Are active, vigorous, assertive, competitive, aggressive, & dominating
Are outgoing, uninhibited, & self-confident

45. Scale 5 cont’d T-Scores 45-64 are indicative of women who:
Are less traditionally oriented towards a feminine role
Have an interest in both masculine & feminine activities

46. Scale 5 cont’d T-Scores 35-44 are indicative of women who:
Are genuinely interested in traditional feminine interests & activities
May be passive in their roles

47. Scale 5 cont’d
T-Scores <34 are indicative of less educated women who:
Are presenting themselves as stereotypically feminine
Are coy, seductive, & appear helpless
May be compensating for doubts about their own adequacy as women
Tend to be passive, submissive, & yielding
Are described as constricted, sensitive, modest, & idealistic

48. Scale 5 cont’d
T-Scores <34 are indicative of more educated women who:
Have a balanced view of gender role behavior
See themselves as capable, competent, conscientious
Are described by others as intelligent, capable, conscientious, forceful, considerate, easygoing, insightful, & unprejudiced

49. Scale 6: Paranoia (Pa)
Items reflect marked interpersonal sensitivities & a tendency to misinterpret the motives & intentions of others.
T-Scores >70 are indicative of individual who:
May exhibit psychotic behavior
Have disturbed thinking, delusions of persecution or grandeur, & ideas of reference
Feel mistreated & picked on
Feel angry & resentful
Harbor grudges
Use projection as a defense mechanism
Often receive diagnoses of schizophrenia or paranoid disorder

50. Scale 6: Paranoia (Pa)
T-Scores from are indicative of individual who:
Have paranoid predisposition
Tend to be excessively sensitive & overly responsive to others’ opinions
Feel they’re getting a raw deal out of life
Tend to rationalize & blame others for their problems
Are suspicious & guarded
Display hostility, resentment in an argumentative manner
Are moralistic & rigid in opinions & attitudes

51. Scale 6: Paranoia (Pa)
T-Scores from are indicative of individual who:
Have a paranoid orientation toward life
See the environment as demanding & not supportive
Are very sensitive to what other people think of them
Are suspicious of the motives of others
Commonly feel angry & resentful

52. Scale 6: Paranoia (Pa)
T-Scores from are indicative of individual who:
Are socially interested
Face life’s situations adequately
Are seen as balanced, orderly, & reasonable
Tend to be cautious, conventional, & self-controlled

53. Scale 6: Paranoia (Pa)
T-Scores from <35 are indicative of individual who:
Have narrow interests
Tend to be sensitive to & unaware of the motives of other people
Tend to be evasive, defensive, & guarded
May be shy, secretive, & withdrawn

54. Scale 7: Psychasthenia (Pt)
Items reflect generalized anxiety & distress, the avowal of high moral standards, self-blame for things that go wrong, & rigid efforts to control impulses.
T-Scores >85 are indicative of individuals who:
1. Have agitated ruminations & obsessions that no longer control anxieties

55. Scale 7 cont’d T-Scores >65 are indicative of individuals who:
Experience psychological turmoil & discomfort
Feel anxious, tense, & agitated
Are worried, fearful, apprehensive, high-strung, & jumpy
Report difficulties in concentrating
Often receive anxiety disorder diagnoses
Are introspective
Feel insecure & inferior
Lack self-confidence
Are self-critical, self-conscious, & self-degrading
Tend to be very rigid & moralistic

56. Scale 7 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Are generally punctual in meeting their obligations & may worry if unable to do so
Do not see themselves as anxious, nor do others see them as anxious

57. Scale 7 cont’d T-Scores 40-57: Normal range
T-Scores <40 are indicative of individuals who:
Are free of disabling fears & anxieties
Are self-confident
Are perceived as warm, cheerful, & friendly
Have a wide range of interest
Are responsible, efficient, realistic, & adaptable
Are secure & comfortable with themselves
Are emotionally stable

58. Scale 8: Schizophrenia
Items cover a wide range of strange beliefs, unusual experiences, & special sensitivities
T-Scores >91 are indicative of individuals who:
Are under acute, severe situational stress
May have an identity crisis
Are typically not schizophrenic

59. Scale 8 cont’d T-Scores 65-90 are indicative of individuals who:
May have a thought disorder
May be confused, disorganized, & disoriented
May report unusual thoughts or attitudes, or hallucinations
May show poor judgment
May be exaggerating deviance as a cry for help
Tend to have schizoid lifestyle
Do not feel a part of their environment
Are withdrawn, seclusive, secretive, & inaccessible

60. Scale 8 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Think differently than others
Tend to avoid reality through fantasy & daydreams
T-Scores 40-57: Normal range

61. Scale 8 cont’d T-Scores <40 are indicative of individuals who:
Tend to be friendly, cheerful, good-natured, sensitive, & trustful
Are seen as well-balanced & adaptable
Are responsible & dependable
Tend to be restrained in relationships
Avoid deep, emotional involvement with other people
Are submissive, compliant, & overly accepting of authority
Tend to be cautious, conventional, & conservative
Are practical & concrete in thinking

62. Scale 9: Hypomania (Ma)
Items which assess the behavioral characteristics of a manic episode as well as over-ambitiousness, extroversion, & high aspirations
T-Scores <80 are indicative of individuals who:
1. Exhibit behavioral manifestations of a manic episode

63. Scale 9 cont’d T-Scores 65-79 are indicative of individuals who:
Are overactive
Have unrealistic self-appraisal
Are energetic & talkative
Prefer action to thought
Have a wide range of interests
Don’t use energy wisely
May be creative, enterprising, & ingenious
Have low frustration tolerance

64. Scale 9 cont’d T-Scores 58-64 are indicative of individuals who:
Are active, outgoing, & energetic
May find external relationships on their activity level agitating & dissatisfying
T-Scores 40-57: Normal range

65. Scale 9 cont’d T-Scores <40 are indicative of individuals who:
Are characterized by low energy & activity levels
Appear to be lethargic, listless, apathetic, & phlegmatic
Are difficult to motivate
May report depression, accompanied by tension & anxiety
Are reliable, dependable, & responsible
Approach problems in conventional, practical, & reasonable ways
Tend to be somewhat withdrawn & seclusive

66. Scale 9 cont’d T-Scores <35 are indicative of individuals who:
Are suffering from depression (despite the T-Score from Scale 2)

67. Scale 0: Social Introversion (Si)
Items reflect levels of social activity; high scores indicate more aversion to social activities while low scores indicate a willingness to participate in social activities.
T-Scores >65
Are socially introverted
Are very insecure & uncomfortable in social situations
Tend to be shy, timid, reserved, & retiring
Do not participate in many social activities
Are reliable & dependable

68. Scale 0 cont’d T-Scores of 58-64
Prefer to be alone or with a small group of friends
Have the ability to interact with others but generally prefer not to
T-Scores 40-57: Normal range

69. Scale 0 cont’d T-Scores of <40 are indicative of individuals who:
Are sociable & extroverted
Are outgoing, gregarious, friendly, & talkative
Have a strong need to be around people
Mix well at social gatherings
Are active, energetic, & vigorous
Are interested in power, status, & recognition
Are somewhat immature & self-indulgent

70. Interpreting the Clinical Scales
Find the scales with the highest T-Scores (T-Score of 65 & above) & interpret the individual scales.
Many books list interpretive paragraphs for high points.
Remember, these are generalizations about the typical individual who scores this way; you will need to tailor the paragraphs to fit your individual client.