Term
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Definition
| “The totality of emotional and behavioral traits that characterize the person in day-to-day living under ordinary conditions; it is relatively stable and predictable.” |
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Term
| What are the two major categories of personality tests? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe projective personality tests and give a few examples. |
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Definition
-Unstructured, often ambiguous test stimuli
-Theoretical assumption: when confronted with a vague stimulus and required to respond in some manner, people cannot help bur reveal information about themselves
-Test results are NOT always interpreted by comparing the person’s responses with a set of criterion-referenced normative data
-Interpretation is based on a theory of human behavior and personality, and it is assumed that a person’s characteristics, defenses, etc., will become apparent through the testing process
Ex. Rorschach, Sentence completion |
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Term
| Describe objective personality tests and give a few examples. |
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Definition
-Structured, unambiguous test stimuli, often self-report
-Usually direct questions regarding the person’s opinion of him or herself
-Test results are interpreted by comparing the person’s responses with a set of criterion-referenced normative data
Ex. MMPI, WAIS |
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Term
| What is reliability and name two sources of error |
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Definition
-A measure’s stability, consistency, and accuracy
-Natural variation in human performance
-Imprecision of psychological testing methods, particularly measures of personality vs. other measures [e.g. IQ tests] |
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Term
| What are four basic methods of measuring reliability and their potential problems? |
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Definition
-Test-Retest (practice effect)
-Alternate Forms (true equivalence)
-Split Half Reliability (how to split items)
-Interscorer or Interrater Reliability |
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Term
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Definition
| If a test is measuring what it INTENDS to measure |
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Term
| Name and describe the three main ways to test validity |
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Definition
1. Content Validity: This refers to the representativeness and relevance of the test to the construct being measured.
2. Criterion Validity: This is also known as predictive validity and is determined by comparing test scores on the new measure with performance on an outside measure that has some theoretical relation to the variable [e.g. an I.Q. test correlated with GPA]
3. Construct Validity: developed to correct the inadequacies of content and criterion validity. The approach is to assess the extent to which the test measures a theoretical construct
--Convergent Validity – scores correlate with variables that are theoretically similar
--Divergent Validity – low or negative correlations with variables that are dissimilar |
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Term
| Can a measure be valid if it is not reliable? |
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Definition
| NO – A measure must have a certain level of reliability to be considered valid. |
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Term
| Can a measure be reliable if it is not valid? |
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Definition
| YES – A measure can be reliable and not valid. It might be reliably measuring a different construct than intended |
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Term
| Who developed the MMPI, when, and why? |
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Definition
-The MMPI was developed in the late 1930’s by Starke Hathaway and Charnley McKinley who were working in the University of Minnesota hospitals
-Their goal was to construct a more efficient and reliable way of arriving at a diagnosis |
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Term
| Name and describe the two basic approaches the creators could take to develop the scales on the MMPI |
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Definition
1. Rational approach: Items are chosen for a scale using content (face validity) as a guide. For example, you might choose (or write) an item such as: “I feel sad a lot of the time” for a Depression Scale.
2. Empirical approach: Items are chosen mathematically, ignoring their content. One empirical approach, called “empirical keying,” you give hundreds of items to two pre-selected groups. The items that statistically differentiate between the groups (e.g. a group of depressed patients vs. a comparison sample) are used to create the scale. In this case, a Depression Scale. |
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Term
| The initial control group for the MMPI were... |
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Definition
Relatives and visitors of patients at the hospital,high school students, government workers, and medical patients.
Almost ALL the Minnesota Normals were White, Christian, blue collar workers (farmers), and lived in the rural area near the hospital (outside of Minneapolis). |
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Term
| The "Cannot Say" scale indicates what and what are the cutoffs? |
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Definition
How many questions remained unanswered or double endorsed (due to carelessness, concentration problems, or not wanting to admit unpleasant facts).
Cutoffs are 30 or more, but Graham suggests 10 or more |
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Term
| Can any information be gained from an MMPI with 10 or more questions unanswered or double endorsed? |
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Definition
| Yes.There could be a theme to the omitted items and items not endorsed past question 370 aren't quite as necessary for the clinical scales so not everything may be affected |
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Term
| What does the VRIN scale measure? |
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Definition
| A person's tendency to respond inconsistently to the MMPI items. |
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Term
| If someone gets a VRIN t score of 80 or above, what does it mean? |
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Definition
| The person did not endorse questions according to content and the test must be invalidated |
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Term
| What is the TRIN scale indicate and what is it's cutoff for invalidation? |
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Definition
| How likely someone was to endorse an item as true or false: cutoff is a t score of 80 |
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Term
| What does the F scale measure and what are it's cutoffs? |
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Definition
| It looks at infrequently endorsed items and elevations indicate more pathology. Cutoffs for inpatient, outpatient, and nonclinical subjects are >100, >90, and >80, respectively |
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Term
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Definition
| The infrequency back scale, which indicates endorsement of unusual items in the back half of the test. Cutoffs are >110 for clinical and >90 for nonclinical |
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Term
| What is the Fp scale and what is it designed to measure? |
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Definition
| The Infrequent Psychopathology scale and to detect malingering as a supplement to the F scale. These items are rare for nonclinical and psychiatric patients. Cut off is >97 |
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Term
| Name and describe the FBS scale |
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Definition
| Symptom validity scale (or faking bad scale); differentiates between persons who gave noncredible reports of cognitive deficits and those known to have such deficits. Cutoff is 22-28 RAW score |
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Term
| L (___ scale) developed to detect deliberate and unsophisticated attempts to what? |
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Definition
| Lie; portray oneself in an unrealistically favorable light. Cutoff is >80 for all groups. |
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Term
| Name and describe the K scale |
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Definition
| The correction scale; developed to detect more subtle attempts to deny psychopathology and present favorably [i.e. defensiveness]. Cutoff is >65 for clinical and >75 for nonclinical |
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Term
| Name and describe the S scale |
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Definition
| Superlative self-presentation scale; developed to detect the tendency to present oneself as highly virtuous,free of psychiatric symptoms. Cutoff is >70 for clinical and >75 for nonclinical |
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Term
| According to Graham, what is a "high" t score? |
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Definition
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Term
| Name and describe scale 1 |
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Definition
| Hypochondriasis (Hs); Excessive bodily concerns, Preoccupation with health problems - physical sxs increasing along with increasing stress, could have somatic delusions or convergence disorder |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 2 |
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Definition
| Depression (D); Feel depressed, sad, blue, and dysphoric, Hopeless and pessimistic about the future, Anhedonia, Lack of energy |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 3 |
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Definition
Hysteria (Hy); Often feel overwhelmed,
React to stress and avoid responsibility by developing physical symptoms, Expect a great deal of attention and affection from others |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 4 |
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Definition
| Psychopathic deviate (Pd); Difficulty incorporating values and standards of society, Likely to engage in a variety of asocial, antisocial, and criminal behaviors, Impulsive, strive for immediate gratification, act without considering consequences |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 5 |
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Definition
| Masculinity-Feminity (Mf); High scores indicate deviating from one's gender |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 6 |
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Definition
| Paranoia (P); Feel mistreated and picked on, Excessively sensitive and overly responsive to opinions of others, suspicious and guarded |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 7 |
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Definition
| Psychasthenia [Pt]; Self critical, Anxious, tense, agitated, Worried, fearful, high-strung |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 8 |
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Definition
| Schizophrenia (Sc); Confused, disorganized, and disoriented, Unusual thoughts, attitudes, hallucinations, withdrawn, seclusive |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 9 |
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Definition
Hypomania (Ma); Overactive, Energetic, talkative, Have many projects at once,
Low frustration tolerance, Grandiose aspirations, Exaggerated self-worth |
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Term
| Name and describe scale 0 (10) |
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Definition
Social Introversion (Si); High scores Tend to be shy, reserved, timid, over accepting of authority
Low scores: Sociable, extroverted, outgoing, gregarious, friendly,
Strong need to be around other people, and mix well socially |
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Term
| What is a "defined code type?" |
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Definition
| Where both scales of the code type are 5 or more T-score points higher than the next highest scale [3rd highest scale] and are above a t score of 60 |
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Term
| Are all clinical scales used for code types? |
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Definition
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Term
| When is it appropriate to use Harris-Lingoes subscales? |
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Definition
| When the parent scale is over 65 |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the anxiety (ANX) scale? |
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Definition
Feel anxious, worried, and apprehensive
Report poor sleep
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the fears (FRS) scale? |
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Definition
Feel fearful and uneasy much of the time
Report multiple specific fears or phobias
Are not very competitive |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the obsessiveness (OBS) scale? |
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Definition
-Worry and ruminate about trivial things
-Rigid and dislike change
-Difficulty making decisions
-Report obsessive compulsive symptoms
-May feel depressed, sad, hopeless
-Lack self-confidence |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the depressed (DEP) scale? |
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Definition
-Feel depressed, sad, blue, or despondent
-Feel fatigued and lack interest in things
-Are pessimistic and feel hopeless
-May recently have been preoccupied with thoughts of death or suicide and may have made suicide attempts
-Feel life is a strain
-Feel guilty |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the health concerns (HEA) scale? |
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Definition
-Preoccupied with bodily functioning
-Develop somatic symptoms in times of stress
-Feel worn out and lack energy
-Report specific somatic symptoms that could suggest a neurological disorder
-Feel anxious and overwhelmed much of the time |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the bizarre mentation (BIZ) scale? |
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Definition
-May have psychotic processes and report unusual thought content
-May report auditory, visual or olfactory hallucinations
-Report feelings of unreality
-Tend to be suspicious
-May believe that other people are trying to harm them, can read their minds, or control their thoughts/behavior |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the anger (ANG) scale? |
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Definition
-Feel angry and hostile much of the time
-Are described by others as irritable, impatient, grouchy
-Are aggressive, critical, argumentative
-May feel like swearing or smashing things
-May lose control and be physically abusive
-Are impulsive and have low frustration tolerance
-May have histories of physical abuse |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the cynicism (CYN) scale? |
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Definition
-See others as dishonest, selfish, and uncaring
-Are suspicious of the motives of others
-Are guarded and untrusting in relationships
-May be demanding of others, but resent when others place even mild demands on them
-Have low achievement orientation |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the antisocial practices (ASP) scale? |
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Definition
-Are likely to have been in trouble in school or with the law
-Believe there is nothing wrong with getting around the law as long as they are not broken
-Have cynical attitudes about other people, seeing them as selfish and dishonest
-Blame others for their difficulties
-Resent authority
-Are manipulative and self centered |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the Type A behavior (TPA) scale? |
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Definition
-Are hard-driving and work-oriented
-Feel there is never enough time to get things done
-Do not like to wait or be interrupted
-Frequently are hostile, irritable and easily annoyed
-Tent to be overbearing and critical in relationships
-Have increased risk for cardiovascular problems |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the low self esteem (LSE) scale? |
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Definition
-Have poor self-concepts
-Anticipate failure and give up easily
-Feel inept
-Compare themselves unfavorably with others
-Are overly sensitive to criticism and rejection
-Are passive in relationships
-Have difficulty making decisions |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the social discomfort (SOD) scale? |
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Definition
-Are shy, socially introverted, and socially awkward
-Would rather be alone than with other people
-Have limited interests
-Often feel nervous
-May be preoccupied with health and illness
-May report feeling depressed and hopeless
-Are overly sensitive interpersonally |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the family problems (FAM) scale? |
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Definition
-Describe discord in current family and/or family of origin
-Describe families as lacking in love, understanding and support
-Resent demands and advice of their families
-See marital relationships as unhappy and lacking affection
-Often feel they are getting a raw deal from life
-May have histories of physical abuse |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the work interference (WRK) scale? |
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Definition
-Report a variety of attitudes and behaviors that contribute to poor work performance
-May question their career choice
-Are not ambitious and lack energy
-Express negative attitudes toward co-workers
-Feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with stress
-Often feel like failures
-Have poor self concepts
-Do not have strong achievement orientation |
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Term
| What are some common characteristics of those scoring high on the negative treatment indicators (TRT) scale? |
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Definition
-Have negative attitudes towards doctors and mental health treatment
-May terminate treatment prematurely
-Feel that no one can understand them
-Believe they have problems that they can not share with anyone
-Give up easily when problems are encountered
-Experience intense emotional distress
-Are poor problem solvers |
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