A comparison of simulation and known groups in the detection of malingering on the MMPI-2

Three groups of 30 inmates, one instructed to respond honestly, one to fake being mentally ill, and one to fake schizophrenia after being educated to its symptoms, were administered the MMPI-2. These simulation groups were compared to two forensic evaluation groups of 30 pretrial defendants, one believed to be mentally ill and one suspected of malingering based on their psychiatric history, in order to compare the results of simulation with those of the forensic context. The results demonstrated that those instructed to feign psychiatric disorder and those suspected of malingering in the forensic context scored significantly higher on all MMPI-2 validity indicators than did those with a history of psychiatric treatment and those instructed to respond honestly, yet did not differ from each other. These findings suggest that the results of simulation designs are comparable to those obtained from forensic subjects. The F(p) Scale failed to add incrementally to F in discriminating the two defendant groups.     

Comparability of the MMPI-2 F(p) and F scales and the SIRS in clinical use with suspected malingerers

Relationships among Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) scores and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--2 (MMPI-2) F(p) and F scores were examined for 63 suspected malingerers evaluated at either of two psychiatric facilities. Despite differences between facilities in terms of seriousness of subjects' offenses, mean scores on the malingering tests were similar. Cutting scores for F(p) and F resulting in substantial correspondence between these scales and the SIRS were derived. Use of the cut score for F(p) proposed by Arbisi and Ben-Porath (1995) resulted in less agreement with the SIRS than did a lower cut score. No substantial difference between F(p) and F in each scale's overall agreement with the SIRS was observed. A principal components analysis of the SIRS primary scales produced two factors, interpreted as Overreporting of Symptoms and Implausible Symptoms. F(p) was observed to correlate significantly with Implausible Symptoms but not with Overreporting of Symptoms; F was significantly correlated with both factors.     

An investigation into the usefulness of the MMPI and MMPI-2 in municipal and state police candidate selection

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the later revision (MMPI-2) have been two of the most frequently employed instruments in the selection of law enforcement officers (Bartol, 1996). In this study, the following three sets of data were collected and analyzed: municipal law enforcement officer candidates tested with the MMPI, municipal law enforcement officer candidates tested with the MMPI-2, and state police trooper candidates tested with the MMPI-2. These three data sets were evaluated for their effectiveness at predicting “pass/fail” status on police candidate interview using multiple linear regression. A combination of subscales were found to be associated with classification as either pass or fail on interview.     

MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-Restructured Form Validity Scales: Complementary Approaches to Evaluate Response Validity

Responsible forensic assessment is dependent on an appreciation for how validity scales differ from one another and function across different evaluation contexts. The primary goal of this review is to evaluate whether there is sufficient empirical support to provide expert testimony using MMPI-2 or MMPI-2-RF validity scales. Towards this goal, we briefly describe the development of MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF validity scales and review empirical studies that support interpretative strategies. We describe and illustrate with case examples how the respective sets of MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF validity scales utilize complementary strategies to detect over- and under-reporting of psychological, cognitive, and physical symptoms. Additionally, the review describes standards for expert psychological testimony and illustrates how MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF validity scales are particularly well suited to assess symptom validity and psychological status in secondary-gain settings.     

Screening for malingering/exaggeration of psychiatric symptomatology in prison inmates using the PICTS Confusion and Infrequency scales

A sample of 76 federal prison inmates with a history or current complaints of significant psychiatric symptomatology at intake were followed for a period of 4-39 months by a psychologist who rated the inmate as malingering (n=12), substantially exaggerating (n=32), minimally exaggerating (n=23), or honestly reporting (n=9) signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, or severe anxiety disorder. The Confusion-revised (Cf-r) and Infrequency (INF) scales of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles, which had been administered routinely at intake, revealed that only the INF successfully predicted malingering and exaggeration of psychiatric symptomatology even after pre-existing group differences in age, race, and overall criminal thinking were controlled. These results suggest that the INF scale can potentially serve as an effective initial screening measure for malingering/exaggeration in inmates presenting with mental health complaints.     

图形异同判别ERP技术检测伪装认知损害的研究

目的探讨图形异同判别ERP范式对鉴别伪装认知损害的法医学价值。方法 40例健康志愿者在合作和伪装认知损害两种情境下,进行二项必选数字记忆测验(BFDMT)及图形异同判别ERP范式检测,对照组为20例合作的三级脑外伤者。结果三组被试完成相同、无关、相似图形刺激后引出的ERP波均包括N1、P2、N2、P3和N3五个成分,三组样本组间的N2、P3和N3的潜伏期和波幅均存在差异。其中,伪装组相同图形的N3潜伏期与正常组无显著性差异,明显短于外伤组(P<0.01);伪装组无关图形的N3潜伏期较正常组延长,但短于外伤组,波幅较正常组降低(P<0.05);伪装组相似图形的N3潜伏期较正常组和外伤组缩短(P<0.01),波幅较正常组降低(P<0.01)。以N3潜伏期为指标进行判别分析,探查伪装认知损害的敏感性为81.8%、特异性为76.9%、命中率为79.2%。结论图形异同判别范式可引出稳定的特征性ERP成分,其中N3的波幅和潜伏期有显著的组间差异,对判断伪装认知损害有一定的参考价值。     

Association of the MMPI-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) Validity Scales with Structured Malingering Criteria

The current study examined the validity scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath and Tellegen 2008) in relation to the structured malingering criteria developed to assess malingered neurocognitive dysfunction and pain-related disability. These criteria examined a sample of 251 individuals undergoing compensation-seeking evaluations, who completed a battery of response bias measures. The MMPI-2-RF over-reporting scales yielded large effect sizes in contrasting those in the probable/definite malingering groups from the incentive only groups. The largest effects were found for the Infrequent Responses and Gervais et al. (Assessment, 14, 196–208, 2007) Response Bias Scale, an experimental scale that can be scored on the MMPI-2-RF. Classification analyses were also utilized to examine various cut scores for the individual validity scales, as well as their use in combination. These results suggest that the MMPI-2-RF validity scales can be used to screen for malingering, as they exhibited good sensitivity at lower cutoffs. The implications of these results and their use in forensic evaluations are discussed.     

Use of the MMPI-2 in the treatment of offenders

The MMPI-2 is among the most frequently relied upon inventories for personality assessment. The test is utilized across a variety of nonforensic settings (e.g., psychiatric inpatient and outpatient) as an aid in formulating treatment plans, assessing treatment progress, and measuring treatment outcome. The MMPI-2 can also be utilized in forensic settings in a manner similar to its use in other settings, such as identifying treatment goals and evaluating treatment efficacy. Various MMPI-2 scales can identify an individual's treatment needs, reveal potential obstacles to treatment, and serve as a measure of treatment efficacy. Such information can be very helpful to the clinician in formulating or modifying a course of treatment for offenders. This article provides an overview of the use of the MMPI-2 in treatment planning and describes the relation between scores on the validity, clinical, and various supplementary scales and treatment-related issues.     

Predicting aggression in police officers using the MMPI-2

This study attempted to determine if any of four MMPI-2 scales formulated to measure various forms of hostility or aggression is useful in predicting aggressive behavior among police officers. In our analysis of 80 officers from two police departments, we found that some scales predicted supervisor ratings of officer performance in one of the departments but not in the second department. In one department, officers with higher ANG scores or HOS scores, or lower O-H scores, were judged by supervisors to be more assertive. Officers from the same department with higher HO scores or lower O-H scores received moire justified citizen complaints. We discuss the importance of predicting aggression in police officers, the difficulty of making this prediction using MMPI-2 scores, and differences between the two departments that might have impacted the outcome of this research. Authors' Note: Communications should be addressed to the authors at James Madison University, School of Psychology, MSC 7401, Harrisonburg VA 22807.     

A study of the interrelationships of several validity scales used in police selection

Validity scale data have received attention recently as providing valuable information about potential problematic police officer candidates. In this study, validity scale data from a number of selection instruments were obtained using 42 state police officer candidates. The scale used were the MMPI-2 L scale, the MMPI-2 K scale, the PAI Positive Impression Scale (PIM), the PAI Defensiveness Index (DI), the IPI Guardedness scale, the Hilson Life Adjustment Profile Lack of Candor scale, and the Inwald Survey 2 Denial of Shortcomings scale. Intercorrelations among the scales were developed and a factor analysis was performed. Factor analysis revealed two factors to be present. One is associated with the Hilson scales and is appropriately named guardedness or defensiveness. The other is associated with the MMPI-2 K scale and the PAI scales and is appropriately named social desirability. The MMPI-2 L scale loaded significantly on both factors and seemed to be the most general of the validity scales in terms of its characteristics. Implications of these analyses for police selection are discussed.     

Risk-Need-Responsivity applications of the MMPI-2 in sexual offender assessment

The present investigation examined the risk, need, and responsivity (RNR) correlates of MMPI-2 scores in a Canadian sample of 349 federally incarcerated sex offenders, followed up prospectively 19 years post-release. In terms of responsivity indicators, more serious profile patterns were associated with younger age, single marital status, lower education, and lower cognitive ability; the scales generally had weak associations with sex offender treatment completion or change. With respect to criminogenic risk and need, Scales F, 4, 6, 8, and 9 and combinations therein had significant associations with structured measures of sex offender risk, and in turn, consistently predicted sexual or violent recidivism over 5 and 10-year follow-ups. Several of these predictive associations were maintained even after controlling for static and dynamic risk factors. Finally, model based clustering of the MMPI-2 scales generated three clusters termed disordered, emotionally distressed, and predominantly antisocial (non-disordered) subtypes. Although comparatively higher rates of violent recidivism were found with the disordered subtype, this group did not have higher levels of risk and need, broadly speaking, than the other subtypes. The RNR implications of the results are discussed in terms of forensic applications of MMPI-2 with sex offender populations.     

Detection of Malingered ADHD Using the MMPI-2-RF

This study examined the utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) validity scales for detecting feigning and exaggeration of attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) among college students. Under a simulation study design, participants with and without ADHD were assigned to perform honestly or to feign or exaggerate deficits related to ADHD while completing self-report symptom inventories. Participants instructed to feign produced symptom profiles similar to honest clinical profiles and more severe than honest nonclinical profiles. Participants with ADHD instructed to exaggerate produced less severe profiles than those instructed to feign and more severe profiles than clinical controls. MMPI-2-RF scale Fp-r showed potential for use in malingered ADHD detection at a revised cut score, which was significantly lower than the cut score suggested in the test manual; use of the revised cut score will require further validation. Scales F-r, Fs, and FBS-r did not classify well, but should be assessed in future studies of malingered ADHD. Detection of exaggeration was consistently poorer than detection of feigning.     

Impression Management in Police Officer Candidacy on the MMPI-2

It is well documented that candidates in employment situations attempt to present overly positive pictures of themselves that may be inaccurate. Police officer candidacy situations are not an exception. They are more critical to the public welfare, however, because of the sensitive nature of police officers as an interface between government and the community. For this reason, the study of impression management using devices that are employed in police selection is of great importance. This study used 36 college students to whom the MMPI-2 was administered, first under standard conditions (control condition) in which the students responded as they ordinarily would and second, under a set of special instructions (experimental condition) which instructed them to respond as if they were police officer candidates. The two profiles were compared. As hypothesized, the Lie (L) and Correction (K) scales were elevated in the experimental condition. An inspection of the clinical scales revealed that all tended to be lower in the experimental condition than in the control condition, with the exception of Masculinity-Femininity (Mf), Psychopathic Deviate (Pd), Paranoia (Pa), and Hypomania (Ma). Implications of these findings for officer candidate selection are discussed.     

The MMPI-2 L scale as a tool in police selection

The MMPI has been used extensively in the selection of law enforcement personnel. Because police officer candidates have been preselected, however, individuals with obvious mental disturbance have been screened out of the candidate pool before evaluation. It is necessary to search for more subtle variables to serve as predictors of unsatisfactory future performance. The L scale is a subtle variable which can suggest potential for problematic behavior. The value of the L scale in the selection process is discussed. Authors' Note: William U. Weiss, Ph.D., is professor of psychology. The University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Av., Evansville, IN 47722. Robert Davis, Ph.D., is executive vice-president and director of science, research, and development, for Matrix, Inc., and Cary Rostow, Ph.D., is president of Matrix, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA. Sarah Kinsman was a psychology major at the University of Evansville at the time this research was conducted.     

A re-examination of the MMPI-2 aggressiveness and immaturity indices in law enforcement screening

This study reports an analysis of Bartol's (1991) Immaturity Index and Hargrave and associates' (1988) Aggressiveness Index as a measure of police conduct. The correlations between the supervisory ratings and the Immaturity and Aggressiveness indices were examined for 1020 law enforcement officers. The results showed that Immaturity Index was related to termination for failure to complete training and insubordination. The Aggressiveness Index was related to a termination for failure to complete training and several other problematic police behaviors, but was not found to be specifically linked with acts of aggression. Implications for using these two indices in law enforcement selection are discussed. Authors' Note: Cary Rostow, Ph.D. is president of Matrix, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is in private practice in Baton Rouge. Robert Davis, Ph.D., is executive vice-president and director of science, research, and development for Matrix, Inc., and has a private practice in Baton Rouge. James B. Pinston, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist within the department of neurology at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dennis R. Combs, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Tulsa. Dennis R. Dixon, M.A., is currently a doctoral student at Louisiana State University.     

MMPI-2 and 16PF-5 Personality Traits of Parents Involved in Personality Assessment

The present study focused on both the MMPI-2 scales and the 16PF-5 primary and global factors, involving 213 individuals who were court-ordered to undergo a personality assessment in neglect and/or abuse cases. Results showed a defensive approach to the assessment and specific psychological characteristics indicated by moderate range elevations in the MMPI-2 clinical scales 4 and 6 and in the 16PF-5 Tough-Mindedness, and high scores of 16PF-5 Self-Control associated with low scores of PSY-5 Disconstraint. Finally, this study revealed strong associations between MMPI-2 PSY-5 and 16PF-5 global factors, offering a detailed picture of psychological functioning.     

The MMPI-2 and statisfactory police academy performance: Differences and correlations

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and its later revision (MMPI-2) have been the most frequently employed psychological instrument in the selection of law enforcement officers (Bartol, 1996). In this study, state police trooper cadets were given a broad number of measures including the MMPI-2 prior to academy admission. Their performance at the police academy was then analyzed and related to their performance on the MMPI-2. Using step-wise multiple linear regression. Hy3 and Sc4 scores produced significant negative correlation’s with academy final grade point average. Student’s unpaired 1-tests between successful and unsuccessful cadets revealed differences between the groups for several MMPI-2 subscales including, but not limited to, K, MA, and SI, Lastly, logistic regression revealed no single subscale, or combination of subscales, which significantly predicted classification of the cadets as either successful or unsuccessful based on their MMPI-2 scores alone. Author Note: Elements of this article have been presented at the 27^th Annual Conference of the Society of Police and Criminal Psychology in Portland, OR, October 1998.     

Incremental validity of ambulatory assessment of acute dynamic risk in predicting time to recidivism among prisoners on parole

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the incremental validity of changes in ten stress-related acute dynamic risk factors, collected through automated telephony over 30 consecutive days following parole, for predicting time to recidivism during the following year. Before release, the participants completed self-report assessment of some stable risk factors – impulsiveness and history of problematic substance use – as well as an assessment of symptoms of anxiety experienced during the weeks prior to release. Analysis of the baseline assessments showed that impulsiveness and a history of problematic substance use, but not pre-release symptoms of anxiety, were associated with recidivism during the parole year. Growth modelling using a linear mixed model was used to assess whether inmates on parole showed changes in acute dynamic risk factors during the first month following release. Individual growth model slopes and intercept were then extracted and used as covariates in a series of Cox regression analyses to test whether changes in acute dynamic risk factors could provide incremental predictive validity beyond baseline stable risk factors. Changes in five dynamic risk factors were associated with an increased risk of recidivism, of which daily drug use and daily summary score showed incremental predictive improvement beyond impulsiveness and history of problematic drug use.     

Detection of malingering in competency to stand trial evaluations

A simulation design with multiple contrast groups was used to test the effectiveness of two instruments, the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) and the Georgia Court Competency Test—Mississippi State Hospital (GCCT-MSH) in detecting malingering of competency to stand trial. Thirty simulators were compared with 23 incompetent defendants, 25 competent defendants, 30 offender controls, and 7 suspected malingerers on both instruments. Results revealed that the simulators and suspected malingerers scored significantly higher on all of the SIRS primary scales and significantly lower on the GCCT-MSH than the three comparison groups. The SIRS had an overall hit rate of 97.8% using three or more primary scales as the criterion for malingering. Information concerning the simulator's strategies of deception is presented.