Scientific Bases of Forensic Applications of the MMPI-2 (From Forensic Applications of the MMPI-2, P 1-17, 1995, Yossef S Ben-Porath, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-160683)

• NCJ Number: 160684
• Author(s): Y S Ben-Porath; J R Graham
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Applied Psychology, Volume 2: Individual, Social, and Community Issues

Annotation

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2) rests on strong scientific foundations, particularly since forensic uses of psychological tests are subject to strict legal oversight and scrutiny.

Abstract

Over the years, several lines of research have evolved that are directly relevant to forensic applications of the MMPI-2. This research includes studies using the MMPI to predict behavior or class membership and thus criminal behavior, studies using the MMPI as a dependent variable to characterize personalities of various classes of criminals, studies of the test's ability to measure various symptoms of psychopathology, and studies using the MMPI-2 as a measure of self-presentation. A recent survey of forensic psychologists indicates the MMPI-2 is the psychological test most frequently used in forensic evaluations. Further, research indicates psychologists who use the MMPI-2 in forensic evaluations can base their interpretations on sound scientific findings. Advantages of the MMPI-2 in forensic assessment are noted that focus on the availability of normative data and statisticallly consistent and conceptually homogeneous content scales. 46 references and 3 notes