MMPI-2: Assessing Personality and Psychopathology

by John R. Graham

In the 50 years since work on the MMPI was initiated at the University of Minnesota, the instrument has come to be the most widely used in the United States and around the world. The first and second editions of this book were hailed as classics and provided a generation of students and
practicing clinicians with an invaluable guide to the MMPI. In Assessing Personality and Psychopathology , John Graham again presents a detailed, comprehensive textbook for both students and clinicians and introduces the new MMPI-2 in clear and understandable language. A member of the team
that developed the MMPI-2, Dr. Graham is uniquely qualified to offer his insight and advice on the new instrument and its use. The book begins with the rationale underlying the MMPI and presents historical information about scale development and standardization of the original instrument.
Differences between the original MMPI and MMPI-2 are clearly delineated. Chapter two describes MMPI-2 test materials and procedures for administering and scoring the instrument and for coding the resulting profile of scores. Chapter 3 is devoted to consideration of the validity scales. Each of
the 10 standard clinical scales is discussed in Chapter 4, and suggestions are made for interpreting scores at various T-score levels. An interpretation of two-and-three point code types and other profile configurations is covered in Chapter 5, and Chapter 6 presents several different approaches to
content interpretation. Next, Chapter 7 covers some frequently used supplementary scales and introduces several new scales for MMPI-2. In Chapter 8 psychometric characteristics of the MMPI-2 are examined, and the instrument's use with special populations is discussed. Chapter 9 presents the
author's general strategy for interpreting MMPI-2s, and the strategy is illustrated with a case. Finally, Chapter 10 focuses on the computerized use of the instrument.

Genres: Psychology

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 1990

About the author

There is more than one author by this name on Goodreads.

John R. Graham is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Psychology at Kent State University. His research involves personality and forensic assessment using the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A. Specific interests include identification of invalid responding and validity with ethnic minority groups.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent resource. A terrible read.

[The Badger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text does a reasonable job of explaining the limitations and differentiations in results that can be expected when administering the MMPI-2. Cultural considerations are discussed, as well as considerations based on age, health, etc. This version has different RC scales from the first version, but since that was before my time I'm not really qualified to weigh in on the argument as to whether these are a benefit. Validity scales and interpretive graphs are very clear. However, unless you're in practice and have administered hundreds of MMPI-2 or MMPI-As, you'll want to keep this text at hand.

Note: Get a full client history as well as medical charts before using the MMPI as part of the neuropsychological diagnostic process. Diagnosing a client high in somatic complaints when you haven't explored their medical history and aren't aware of certain conditions (the MMPI somatic questions tend to focus on GI issues that it considers "unexplainable," but could very well be due to diseases such as Crohn's, gastroparesis, or Sjogren's) could skew results towards somatic issues, hypochondria, paranoia, or could even call validity into question.

Finally, although it is said that the MMPI does not have to be completed in one sitting, my experience is that, based on how their day is going, examinees' general world-views may vary widely with respect to content score areas. (This can be seen by scoring each section after the client completes it). It would be beneficial to be able to print out the graph with an additional option showing results from each date the test was taken. A short questionnaire as to pre-test attitudes on each date (or a structured neuropsych interview) could eliminate inconsistencies brought on by multiple testing dates.

[Kayson Fakhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

you have to keep reading it every few weeks or months and practice till you learn it well. will not work much at the first time and you'll use only the basics.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful resource for interpretation and report-writing.