The 4-3 MMPI profile type: A failure to replicate.

Using a sample of male prison inmates as Ss, the incidence of violent crimes for 65 persons with the 4-3 MMPI profile type and 64 with other 2-point code types was compared. Results fail to replicate the findings of some earlier investigators, who reported that violent behaviors are more common for persons with the 4-3 profile type. The failure to identify a significant relationship between the 4-3 profile type and violent behavior suggests that caution should be exercised in generalizing to populations that differ from those in which the relationship between violence and the 4-3 profile type is established. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychopathy and violent crime.

Examined the relations between psychopathy, violence, and impulsiveness of criminal behavior within a White prisoner sample of 76 Ss, using level of intelligence as a moderator variable. Prisoners were given the MMPI, the California Psychological Inventory, the Wide Range Achievement Test, and the IPAT Culture Free Intelligence Test (Scale 2). Unlike most prior research, psychopathy was found to be predictive of violence but only for less intelligent criminals; about 90% of this group had committed a violent crime compared to 58% for the remainder of the sample. Similarly, the psychopaths with limited intelligence evidenced the greatest impulsivity in the commission of their crimes relative to bright psychopaths or nonpsychopathic criminals at either level of intelligence. The implications of the findings for the importance of moderating cognitive variables in personality predictions are discussed. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neurotic differences between individualized and socialized criminals.

This study sought to demonstrate that neurotic differences could be found among prison inmates chosen according to characteristics of their criminal behavior. 3 groups of 15 white, male, prison inmates were screened from a prison's total population. An individualized group, whose crimes were violent, aggressive, and lacked a financial motive, were found to show significantly different elevations (at the .05 and .01 levels) from the other groups on several subscales of the MMPI and the CPI. These results reflect more neurotic traits in the individualized group than in the more common socialized criminal groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

American Psychological Association Commission on Violence and Youth.

Lists the membership of the commission and discusses its objective of analyzing the roles of perpetrators and victims of violence and the psychosocial consequences of witnessing violent acts and living with the constant threat of violence. The commission is using interdisciplinary expertise to examine the developmental and sustaining factors of violence, as well as frequently targeted groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empirical correlates of the Overcontrolled-Hostility scale and the MMPI 4-3 high-point pair.

Compared the behavioral correlates of the MMPI 4-3 high-point pair of the Overcontrolled-Hostility (O-H) scale in a sample of university psychology clinic outpatients: 18 4-3 patients, 29 O-H patients, and 50 controls. Ss were assigned to the 4-3 condition if they met the following criteria: (a) Scales 3 (Hysteria) and 4 (Psychopathic Deviate)?≥?T score of 65; (b) Scale 4 (Psychopathic Deviate)?>?Scale 3 (Hysteria)?≥?all other clinical scales. Ss with T scores of 65 or higher on the O-H scale were placed in the O-H condition. Findings indicate that the behavioral correlates of these 2 groups of Ss were more similar to each other than they were to the controls. Although the 4-3 high-point pair and O-H scale appeared to be measuring the same general personality pattern, marked by rigid denial and overcontrolled hostility, important differences are noted. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral and physiological reactions to observed violence: Effects of prior exposure to aggressive stimuli.

80 male undergraduates first watched videotaped sequences that were arousing, but which contained different degrees of violence. Ss then observed either a 2nd videotape of a sequence of aggressive acts or no videotape. Ss who were shown the 2nd videotape were told that the aggressive acts they saw were either justified or not justified, or were given no information regarding justification. It was found that Ss who had first seen an arousing but less violent tape were subsequently more aggressive toward an antagonist if they had observed justified violence. Ss who had first watched the violent videotape showed no differences in aggression as a function of the justification of the 2nd set of aggressive acts. Analysis of blood pressure data showed that prior exposure to violence attenuated arousal in response to subsequently observed aggression. The results are discussed in terms of differential sensitivity to cues that inhibit or disinhibit aggression. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Manifest aggression: MMPI correlates in normal boys.

An investigation of MMPI personality characteristics of adolescent boys was conducted. Teacher and peer ratings were used to form 4 groups of Ss who differed on degree of expressed aggression. Aggression groups consisted of High Aggression (N = 21), High Middle Aggression (N = 20), Low Middle Aggression (N = 20), and Low Aggression (N = 22). Ss were group-administered an audio form of the MMPI. High-Aggression boys (although not actually delinquent) were found to be similar to delinquent boys in personality—generally rebellious, schizoid, and excitable. However, they were different in that they appeared more concerned over the effects of their behavior. Low-Aggression boys appeared more disturbed than Middle-Aggression boys and similar to High-Aggression boys in being more schizoid. However, they appeared more neurotic, withdrawn, and socially inhibited than other boys. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity of the MMPI Pd scale among black males.

Conducted 3 studies to investigate the validity of the MMPI Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) and Pd + .4K scales in discriminating levels of social deviance among young black men. Study 1 established that 102 black inmates at a federal correctional institution had significantly higher scores on both scales than 120 culturally deprived black male university students. Study 2, using Ss from Study 1, demonstrated that (a) among the inmates recidivists had significantly higher scores than first offenders, and (b) among the students there were significant differences in the expected directions among subgroups differing in self-reported delinquency. Study 3 showed that the black Ss from Study 1 had higher scores than comparable samples of 60 white male college students and 51 white male prison inmates. It is concluded that Pd and Pd + .4K both validly differentiate levels of social deviance among young black men but that the norms for the scales appear to show racial bias. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MMPI profile constellations in incest families.

Used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to study the personality characteristics of 4 groups of Ss from incest families: 33 natural father perpetrators (aged 21–64 yrs), 29 stepfather perpetrators (aged 21–64 yrs), 44 nonparticipating mothers (aged 25–69 yrs), and 22 daughter victims (aged 15–20 yrs). Further analyses compared each of the 4 experimental groups to control groups from nonincestuous families that were matched for sex, age, race, education, and socioeconomic status (SES). The daughter victims' mean profile was more elevated and differed significantly from the profiles of the other 3 groups on the Validity, Psychasthenia, and Schizophrenia scales. Although the natural fathers and stepfathers differed significantly, the mean profiles of each group were not pathological (T?     

Personality disorders among alcoholics and alcohol-comorbid subtypes with a Vietnam-era military sample.

Promotes the enhancement of the alcohol and psychiatric comorbidity typology by including the full range of Axis II personality disorders in addition to Axis I disorders. Data from 3,210 male Vietnam-era veterans were used to document the prevalence of personality disorders in male alcoholic Ss with and without other psychiatric comorbidity. Ss were classified into 1 of 6 groups. The results of the personality disorder scales of the MMPI demonstrate increased Axis II comorbidity in alcoholic Ss across a wide range of personality disorders compared with no-diagnosis control Ss and across alcoholic subtypes based on psychiatric comorbidity. In addition, a relationship was found between personality dysfunction and multiple comorbidity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Violent versus nonviolent couples: A comparison of patterns.

Administered a research questionnaire to 3 groups of married couples (19 violent couples, 7 nonviolent couples in marital therapy, and 24 nonviolent couples not in therapy) to identify characteristics of violent couples. Violent Ss were engaged in counseling for wife battery. Results show that alcohol was the most significant factor operating in violent marriages. Violent couples were also found to have significantly more stereotyped sex-role attitudes, more aggressive and passive behaviors, less marital satisfaction, and a greater degree of dissatisfaction with decision making in the family. Violent couples usually witnessed more violence in their childhood homes. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neuropsychological differences between violent and nonviolent adolescents

Administered the MMPI and elements of a neuropsychological assessment battery to 40 violent and 40 nonviolent adolescent males (M = 14.6 years). Multivariate analysis showed significant differences between groups on neuropsychological tests, but not on the MMPI. Discriminant function analysis indicated that the neuropsychological assessment had greater power to predict group membership of violent and nonviolent Ss than did the MMPI. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that organic impairment contributes to the impulse dyscontrol and associated violent behavior seen in some delinquent adolescents.     

Moderators of racial differences on the MMPI.

In a study with 104 Black and 191 White male prison inmates, multiple discriminant analysis of MMPI scores between high-IQ White, high-IQ Black, low-IQ White, and low-IQ Black Ss yielded 2 significant canonical variates. Results suggest that racial differences on the MMPI do not occur in all racial comparisons but instead are restricted to low-IQ groups. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The 3-4/4-3 MMPI code type in an offender population: An update on levels of hostility and violence.

Levels of hostility and type of crime committed were compared in 94 male offenders with either 3-4 or 4-3 MMPI high point pairs and in 94 randomly selected offenders (mean age for all Ss 31 yrs) without these codes who were matched for race with the 3-4/4-3 group. The samples were drawn from all male offenders entering a state prison system over 5 yrs. Self-report measures included the MMPI, Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory, and Monroe Dyscontrol Scale. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed that those with 3-4 codes did not differ from those with 4-3 codes. Except for higher scores on Megargee's Overcontrolled-Hostility scale, the combined 3-4/4-3 offenders either did not differ from or scored lower than the comparison group on type of crime and all self-report measures of hostility, anger, episodic dyscontrol, and violence. Neither these results nor the majority of research on 3-4/4-3 profiles supports these codes as evidence of a proclivity for violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons of bipolar and unipolar depressed groups on the MMPI.

Compared MMPI admission and remission profiles in 34 patients (17 bipolar and 17 unipolar) hospitalized for depression. There were no significant demographic differences or difference in behaviorally rated depression between the bipolar and unipolar groups. Relatively normal profiles for the bipolar group and abnormal profiles for the unipolar group significantly differentiated the 2 groups at admission, but, with 1 exception, the differences dissipated at recovery. Thus, greater changes over time were found in the self-reported personality characteristics of unipolar Ss than in bipolar Ss. After recovery from the depressive episode, there was a significant shift within unipolar Ss from withdrawal and lack of interest in others to a greater concern for socially approved behavior. The implications of change in the unipolar group and stability in the bipolar group and the more enduring personality characteristics of the 2 groups are discussed. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of the CPI, Franck, MMPI, and WAIS Masculinity-Femininity indexes.

Compared the WAIS Masculinity-Femininity (M-F) index with 3 other measures of masculinity-femininity: the Femininity scale of the CPI, the Masculinity-femininity score of the Franck Drawing Completion Test, and the Mf scale of the MMPI. All 4 measures differentiated significantly between the sexes of 60 undergraduate Ss. The WAIS M-F index did not correlate significantly with any of the other measures for either sex and should not be interpreted as a personality indicator of sexual inversion or homosexuality. It represents solely sex differences in certain aspects of intellectual performance. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multivariate study of personality and academic factors in college attrition.

Performed multiple linear discriminant function analyses using academic, performance, and personality variables to discriminate among groups of transfers, persisters, and dropouts 2 yrs after college matriculation. 273 male and 433 female undergraduates were Ss. Measurements included the Personality Research Form, the MMPI, Block's Ego Control scale, grade point averages, and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. Discrimination above base rates was obtained with either academic or personality variables. Analysis of all variables combined added no predictive power beyond that by either subset alone. Results held up on cross-validation. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perception of violence as a function of levels of hostility.

Administered the Buss-Durkee Inventory of Hostility to 40 undergraduates, using the results to analyze Ss' responses to a series of violent and nonviolent scenes. It is concluded that the hypothesis that high-hostile Ss would be more perceptive of violence than low-hostile Ss was significantly supported (p     

Violent thoughts and violent behavior following hospitalization for mental disorder.

Using a standardized schedule of questions, this study examined (a) the prevalence of self-report of violent thoughts by patients hospitalized for mental disorders compared with nonpatients, (b) the persistence of violent thoughts after discharge, and (c) the relation between patients' violent thoughts while hospitalized and violent acts within 20 weeks after hospital discharge. About 1/3 of the patients reported thoughts of violence while hospitalized, more than twice the proportion found among nonpatients. Reporting violent thoughts in hospital was significantly related to engaging in violent acts within 20 weeks after discharge for non-White patients, patients without major mental disorder but with substance abuse diagnoses, patients with high symptom severity, and patients whose reports of violent thoughts persisted after discharge. Reporting violent thoughts was significantly related to measures of psychopathy, anger, and impulsiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Complete automation of the MMPI and a study of its response latencies.

Examined the feasibility of computerizing the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the MMPI and comparing its response latencies with other MMPI item characteristics. 26 scales were successfully scored for 77 undergraduates, and an interpretive report was typed by the program. With respect to item response latency, stepwise regression analysis indicate that item length accounted for 48-58% of the variance, while item ambiguity, social desirability, and social desirability dispersion accounted for only 3-8%. For the 38 MMPI critical items, "deviant" response latencies were longer than "nondeviant" latencies. Replication results with 56 Ss were almost identical. Thus, excepting subtests of personality items, latency may not have the psychological significance often attributed to it. (26 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)