The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is a test used to gather information on personality, attitudes, and mental health of persons aged 16 or older and to aid in clinical diagnosis.

The current version, MMPI–2, contains ten clinical scales and several validity scales. It has 567 true-false items.

It is untimed and can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes to complete. It is normally done in a single session, but can be extended to a second session if necessary. Specific conditions or syndromes that the test can help identify include hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, paranoia, and schizophrenia.

Raw scores based on deviations from standard responses are entered on personality profile forms to obtain individual results. There’s a validity scale to thwart attempts to “fake” the test.

Because the MMPI is a complex test whose results can sometimes be ambiguous (and/or skewed by various factors), professionals are cautious in interpreting it, often preferring broad descriptions to specific psychiatric diagnoses  unless supported by further testing and observable behavior.

A fifth-grade reading level is required in order to take the test. A tape-recorded version is available for those with limited literacy, visual impairments, or other problems.

* * *

Sources:
http://www.pearsonclinical.com/psychology/products/100000461/minnesota-multiphasic-personality-inventory-2-mmpi-2.html#tab-pricing
Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology

If you found this useful, do remember to like Psychology Learners on Facebook and subscribe by email.

---