Elements of response style were examined among three groups of chronic, psychotic, forensic patients: paranoid schizophrenics (N ϭ 89); undifferentiated-disorganized schizophrenics (N ϭ 38); and schizoaffective patients (N ϭ 53). Forensic patients with elevated MMPI-2 L Scales produced increased percentages of Pure Form (F %) on the Rorschach. A similar relationship occurred when the Rorschach was used as the independent measure. Schizoaffective patients reported more psychotic symptoms on the MMPI-2 and lower F % (Rorschach) than both schizophrenic groups. Although undifferentiated schizophrenics evidenced the most psychopathology on the Rorschach (impaired reality testing and perceptual accuracy disturbance), all three groups produced lower than expected frequencies for Rorschach variables commonly associated with thought disorder and poor reality testing (Exner, 1995b). The clinical importance of using the MMPI-2 and Rorschach in tandem with forensic psychiatric patients is discussed. Our empirical findings suggest the need for forensic evaluators to consider the important relationship between psychiatric diagnosis and response style (defensiveness, denial, illness chronicity, medications, and concurrent Axis II psychopathology) when interpreting oftenconstricted psychological testing protocols in chronic forensic patient populations.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and now the MMPI-2, are the most widely researched personality assessment tools in correctional and related forensic settings (MMPI; Hathaway & McKinley, 1940; MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989). Using the original MMPI, Megargee (1977a) and colleagues (Megargee & Bohn, 1977; Megargee & Dorhout, 1977) developed an extensive and meaningful classification system for correctional inmates. However, few studies, with the exception of Toch and Adams (1994) cluster analytic study of emotionally disturbed violent offenders, have explored possibilities of a statistically derived categorical classification paradigm within the growing population of forensic psychiatric patients awaiting discharge into the community (Bannatyne, 1996). The present exploratory study investigates the utility of a commonly employed and replicable cluster analytic method in establishing an MMPI-2-based categorical classification system within a substantial forensic psychiatric outpatient sample (N = 300). Here, we present results of a seven-cluster solution, augmented by contemporaneous Rorschach inkblot data utilizing Exner's Comprehensive System (Exner, 1991; Exner et al., 1995). Descriptive cluster characteristics are provided along with potential clinical correlates in an attempt to move closer to the goal of pairing informed assessment with effective treatment in this growing, but unique, population.