The Meaning of Low Scores on MMPI-2 Clinical Scales of Normal Subjects

Abstract

Low scores often have been ignored in validity research on the MMPI, yet these statistically significant deviations from the norm may be valuable sources of information and occur frequently enough to merit further investigation. The meaning of low scores on the MMPI-2 was examined for 822 male-female partner pairs in the MMPI-2 restandardization sample. Subjects were divided by MMPI-2 scale scores into high-, medium-, and low-score groups. Analyses of variance were performed with score level as the independent variable and partner ratings as dependent variables. Significant differences were found between the low- and medium-score groups with low scorers rated as better adjusted that medium scorers. More significant differences were found between the high-score and medium-score groups than between the low-score and medium-score groups; this suggested that high scores on MMPI-2 clinical scales are associated with poorer adjustment.

Empirical Correlates of Low Scores on MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Restructured Clinical Scales in a Sample of University Students

“…The present study has demonstrated significant and meaningful self-reported personality differences between low scorers and those scoring within normal limits on the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF RC scales. Although the focus of our analyses was on MPQ differences between low scores and within-normal-limits scores on the RC scales, we noted, consistent with Keiller and Graham's (1993) and Graham et al's (1997) observation, that the meaning of low score correlates tended to be the opposite of those of the high scores and that the extra test characteristics tended to be more positive than those associated with high scores.…”

“…However, Keiller and Graham (1993) found in a nonclinical sample extra test characteristics—linked to low scores on most of the MMPI-2 clinical scales—to be conceptually meaningful and interpretively useful and to be more positive than those associated with within-normal-limits and high scores. In a subsequent study conducted at an outpatient mental health setting, Graham, Ben-Porath, and McNulty (1997) provided further evidence of the meaningfulness of low scores.…”

“…With the introduction of Restructured Clinical (RC) scales, now also included in the MMPI-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008;Tellegen & Ben-Porath, 2008), the question of the meaning of low scores reemerges. Just as Keiller and Graham (1993) found to be the case for the clinical scales, different interpretive possibilities suggest themselves for low RC-scale scores. For instance, in the affective domain, high RC7 scores are indicative of high levels of negative emotionality, so that one would expect low RC7 scores to indicate relatively low negative emotionality levels.…”

Police officer candidate mmpi-2 performance: Gender, ethnic, and normative factors

“…All of the clinical scales T-scores are well below the cutting point of 65, and scales 2, 5 and 0 are low, with T scores for the White males of 42.10, 39.39, and 38.36 and for minority males of 40.45, 43.00, and 35.64, respectively. Keiller and Graham (1993) reported that, for a nonclinical sample, individuals with low scores on scale 2 of the MMPI-2 are less likely to have easily bruised feelings, to worry, to have problems in making decisions, and to have concern about being rejected. They are also more likely to be self-confident and laugh and joke with people.…”

Psychological Needs Associated With MMPI-2 Scales in a Nonclinical Sample

“…Another solution to this dilemma is to establish independent or replicated correlates for the MMPI-2, and researchers are beginning to tackle this line of inquiry (Archer, Griffin, & Auduck, 1995;Graham, Ben-Porath, & McNulty, 1997;Keller & Graham, 1993;McNulty, Ben-Porath, & Graham, 1998).…”