(Recall the concepts of reliability and validity from your study of psychological research.) One of the validity scales, the Lie Scale (or вЂњLвЂќ Scale), consists of 15 items and is used to ascertain whether the respondent is вЂњfaking goodвЂќ (underreporting psychological problems to appear healthier). In addition to clinical scales, the tests also have validity and reliability scales. These true/false questions resemble the kinds of questions you would find on the MMPI. Although the MMPI was originally developed to assist in the clinical diagnosis of psychological disorders, it is now also used for occupational screening, such as in law enforcement, and in college, career, and marital counseling (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008). Typically, the tests are administered by computer. Despite the new testвЂ™s advantages, the MMPI-2 is more established and is still more widely used. This version takes about one-half the time to complete and has only 338 questions ( Figure). In 2008, the test was again revised, using more advanced methods, to the MMPI-2-RF. There is also a scale to ascertain risk factors for alcohol abuse. Responses are scored to produce a clinical profile composed of 10 scales: hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviance (social deviance), masculinity versus femininity, paranoia, psychasthenia (obsessive/compulsive qualities), schizophrenia, hypomania, and social introversion. The original MMPI was based on a small, limited sample, composed mostly of Minnesota farmers and psychiatric patients the revised inventory was based on a more representative, national sample to allow for better standardization. One of the most widely used personality inventories is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), first published in 1943, with 504 true/false questions, and updated to the MMPI-2 in 1989, with 567 questions. Most personality inventories employ these types of response scales.

If youвЂ™ve ever taken a survey, you are probably familiar with Likert-type scale questions. They often are called Likert scales after their developer, Rensis Likert (1932) ( Figure). They typically use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, which represent a range from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Self-report inventories are a kind of objective test used to assess personality. This section explores the best known among the many different types of personality tests. Personality tests are also used in criminal cases and custody battles, and to assess psychological disorders. Personality testing is often used for this purpose-to screen applicants for employment and job training. Of these three men, who would make the best police officer? What qualities and personality factors make someone a good police officer? What makes someone a bad or dangerous police officer?ДЄ police officerвЂ™s job is very high in stress, and law enforcement agencies want to make sure they hire the right people. He is trustworthy, but sometimes he has difficulty making quick decisions. He works hard, but is impulsive and drinks too much on the weekends. Mikhail is loud and boisterous, a leader. He is a kind person, but lacks motivation. Roberto is quiet and shy, lacks self-confidence, and usually follows others. Roberto, Mikhail, and Nat are college friends and all want to be police officers.

Common persons mmpi test