Minnesota Multiphasic Character Record MMP - Case Study Example

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Customer Inserts His/Her Name Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name Insert Date Here (Day, Month, Year) Brief description of the test: materials, administration, scoring. Materials Among all psychological or assessment tests, The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) needs special attention as it is most popular test to judge personality of the person and improve its mental health. This test is conducted by trained professionals for providing assistance to identify personality structure and psychopatholo. The word is used for study of the individuals suffering from mental illness or distress or the study of the symptoms of the behaviors, which are typical of mental illness or psychological impairment like abnormality, odd behavior or any mental activity that is not seen in normal person. MMP1 was originally written by Starke R. Hathaway, PhD, and J. C. McKinley, MD and now copyrighted by the University of Minnesota. The standard form of answer sheets can be written with the help of the hands using templates that could be fitted over the answer sheets, but computers score many of the tests. The computer scoring program provides many of the choices related to the scoring including the extended score report, that could incorporate data on the very new and most psychometrically advanced scales—the Restructured Clinical Scales (RC scales). Administration The MMP1-2 consists of 567 test items and takes around 60 to 90 minutes to complete. It should be supervised and taken care of, given a score and interpreted by a professional, especially by trained psychologist or psychiatrists. It could be used either alone or in groups or in conjunction with other assessment tools whatsoever. The test is formed according to the age especially for people 18 and above. Psychologists showing the interest and undergoing interpretation of MMPI should give attention to the factors including age, sex, education, social class, religious background, place of residence, and other historical data.  This information should be integrated along with the research data, to show the validity of the interpretations. Scoring The scoring of the test can be done either by hand or with the help of computer but checking, scoring the tests should be done all the time by a qualified mental health professional who has extensive training in MMPI-2 interpretation. The computer-scoring program is licensed by the University of Minnesota Press to Pearson Assessments and other companies in different countries. The scoring program in the computer provides range for scoring within the precinct of extended score report, which has data on the most new and psychometrically advanced scales RELIABILITY OF THE TEST The test is very reliable as it is based on different scales. It show the different psychiatric conditions but these are not very perfect and therefore the scales can be often referred according to their number to make it relevant and without arousing any misconception or doubts. As it is mostly used for clinical purpose, people may show fake results. Though MMP1 is not considered as a very perfect test yet it is still considered as the most valuable tool for diagnosis and prescribing proper treatment for mentally ill patients. But MMP1-2 is the most common among the health professionals and in act has been in use for other purposes also like solving of the legal cases and solving disputes and helping in criminal defense. This test has also been used as screening instrument to appoint persons for jobs involving high risks and over and above is also being used for evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment programs including substance abuse. Originally it was used for the adult population, but was extended to incorporate teenagers basically for teens in middle years about 15 and 16. It requires the necessity for sixth grade reading level therefore could not be applied on the children of below 13 and also retarded persons. It was also on many occasions given to bright children below 11 to 12 years. When the MMP1 was modified in 1989 there were no norms for adolescents, and new instrument was not being used for them therefore the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) was developed.  Though MMPI was revised to maximum extent and was formed into MMPI-2, the MMPI many psychologists still use MMI to get the results of their reports and forming the basis for the MMPI-2. VALIDITY OF THE TEST These validity scales are L scale, F scale, K scale, cannot say scale, TRIN scale, VRIN scale, the FB scale etc. The L scale is also known as the lie scale developed to perceive the patients who are trying to show themselves in a positive light, ignoring their shortcomings and unfavorable circumstances. People who are well educated also try to tend to find themselves lower on the L scale. The F scale is meant to reveal the patients attempts that have been trying to forge themselves as the better or worse than what they really are. This scale measures the extent to which patients try to contradict from their own responses. The K scale is a kind of defensiveness scale and is lot more effective and less obvious for detecting the patients who have been trying to show themselves in the best way as possible. Research shows that patients who have attained higher education and socioeconomic status scores generally higher on the K Scale. Cannot say scale depicts the number of items, which have been left unanswered. The manual of MMP1 suggests that any test making you leave 30 or more unanswered questions will be declared invalid. The TRIN scale also known as the True Response Inconsistency Scale was initiated for detecting patients who intend to respond in an inconsistent manner. This question constitutes 23-paired questions, which are opposite to each other. The last two are the VRIN and FB Scale, which is another method with an intention to detect inconsistent responses, and the FB scale consists of 40 items which less than 10 per cent of normal respondents provide support. High scores getting measured on this scale indicate the fact that respondents should stop paying attention and should start answering the questions in a random movement. The neuropsychiatric section of the medical service, A. A. F. Regional Hospital, Keesler Field, Mississippi, to prove the reliability and validity of the test, conducted a study. The evaluation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (M. Inventory) was done by applying it on the 416 United States Army enlisted personnel. The results that emerged from this study revealed the fact that this test is the most valuable tool in a clinic psychiatric practice. (Herbert & Modlin, 1947) RESEARCH STUDY Results in this study present convincing evidence that the test is a valuable psychometric adjunct to clinical psychiatric practice. Through this test, anxiety could be adequately and satisfactorily measured by showing the average score of the first three M Inventory scales, hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D), and hysteria (Hy), to formulate an A (anxiety) score. The system brings forth the most important data to present many psychosomatic illnesses and presents a very appropriate and adequate picture on the issues of migraine, post-traumatic headache, epilepsy, somnambulism and enuresis meeting the clinical requirements for the benefit of patients. Its multiple score system helps in better evaluation of the mental illnesses through the signs of the behavioral patterns in providing better results. The only negative impact is that it does not show appropriate diagnosis and in certain occasions over emphasizes personality distortions making the case little confused. At all-purpose, it should not be used as a substitute for psychiatrist. James Butcher who was the researcher responsible for revising the MMP1 and MMP1-2 clears that connection has been retained with the previous empirical literature and there has been no changes in the MMP1-2 but he said that whatever new norms have been established, it presents a sound comparative base. Many researchers too pinpoint the fact that scales being used cannot be considered as an exact measurement of the mental diseases for e.g. evaluation got from scale 8 did not mean that client is definitely schizophrenic, due to this the numbers that were mentioned in the subscales changed the psychiatric labels which are of very common in use. Therefore instead of talking on the hypochondriasis scale, the clinician will refer to the Scale 1. But overall looking at the dimension of the test, these scales reveal the depth of the various mental disorders making it convenient for the clinicians to have a proper diagnosis of the individual cases and then prescribe proper treatment. USEFULNESS OF THE TEST The test has been considered as very useful for the psychologists, medical practitioners, lawyers and experts in various other fields whereby thereby there is a need for accurate judgment of persons concerned. By the study of the individuals suffering from mental illness or distress psychologists can better judge the severity of the case and the treatment that needs to be prescribed to them. The MMP 1 is also a most powerful instrument which allows for showing the powerful presentation in court. However interpretation of MMP1 should be done looking and perceiving his biological and other information pertaining to clients. Reference List Butcher, J.N. & Hostetler, K. (1990). Abbreviating MMPI Item Administration What Can Be Learned From the MMPI for the MMPI—2? Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2(1): 12-21. Herbert, C. & Modlin, M.C. (1947). A study of the minnesota multiphasic personality inventory in clinical practice. Am J Psychiatry 103:758-769. Rogers, R., Sewell, K. W., Harrison, K. S., & Jordan, M. J. (2006). The MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Scales: A paradigmatic shift in scale development. Journal of Personality Assessment, 87:139-147. Strauss, E., Sherman, E.M.S. & Spreen, O. 2006. A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, and Commentary. New York: Oxford University Press US. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Retrieved on March 8, 2008 from W.W.W: http://web.psych.ualberta.ca/~chrisw/L10MMPI/L10MMPI.pdf Read More