"Inability to predict cardiovascular disease from hostility scores or MMPI items related to Type A behavior": Correction to Leon et al.

Reports an error in "Inability to predict cardiovascular disease from hostility scores or MMPI items related to Type A behavior" by Gloria R. Leon, Stephen E. Finn, David Murray and John M. Bailey (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1988[Aug], Vol 56[4], 597-600). In the aforementioned article, the mean Ho scores are incorrect. For Group 1, M = 16.0 (SD = 7.3); Group 2, M = 15.3 (SD = 6.7); Group 3, M = 15.2 (SD = 7.2). Page 600, paragraph 2 is no longer relevant. All other analyses and all conclusions are correct as reported. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1989-05707-001.) Medical and psychological data collected for 30 years on a group of 280 men (mean age in 1947=45 years) were evaluated to identify the personality characteristics and attitudes that might be predictive of the later development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Hostility scores did not predict CHD in this population. A 35-item scale derived from MMPI items judged to reflect the Type A construct and from other personality scales did not predict the later incidence of myocardial infarctions or other evidence of CHD. It is therefore possible that personality factors may not be strong predictors of CHD in particular samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation between mastery behavior in infancy and competence in early childhood.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 22(6) of Developmental Psychology (see record 2008-10958-001). In the article, an incorrect copyright note has been given. The copyright note has been corrected and is included in the erratum.] 53 infants were observed at 6 and 12 mo of age during 2 24-min play sessions. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were given at 6 and 12 mo and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) at 30 mo of age. Results reveal that measures of competence in infancy (successful task completion during play and the BSID scores) were not strongly correlated with the 30-mo MSCA scores. In contrast, infant mastery behavior during play strongly predicted MSCA scores: The time spent investigating toys at 6 mo and persistence in solving tasks at 12 mo of age were behaviors significantly positively correlated with the MSCA scales. It is suggested that infant behaviors that predict later competence do not remain static but change with age and that infants' mastery behavior is a more effective predictor of later development than their competence with either toys or developmental tests. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical comparability of the standard MMPI and the MMPI-168.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 17(5) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2008-10955-002). In this article, the copyright information was incorrect. The corrected copyright information is included in the erratum.] Examined the clinical correspondence of the full-scale Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the MMPI-168 on a psychiatric screening sample of 210 men (mean age 43.27 yrs). The present results fail to replicate previous optimistic findings regarding the worth of the MMPI-168 and accent the need for caution in any further use of this abbreviated instrument. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incremental validity of the MMPI-2 content scales in an outpatient mental health setting.

The incremental validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 Content Scales (MMPI—2; J. N. Butcher, J. R. Graham, C. L. Williams, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1990) was examined using clinical and content scale scores to predict conceptually relevant symptoms and personality characteristics of 274 male and 425 female mental health center outpatients. Regression analyses were performed to determine if the content scales contributed significantly beyond the conceptually relevant clinical scales in predicting therapists' ratings. Of the 10 content scales analyzed, incremental validity was demonstrated for 7 scales for men and 3 scales for women. A 2nd set of analyses indicated that incremental validity was demonstrated for 4 clinical scales for men and 6 clinical scales for women. The findings provide further evidence that the content scales aid interpretation of MMPI—2 scores by contributing additional information beyond the clinical scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality characteristics of incarcerated speed abusers.

Compared the personality characteristics of 105 offenders, comprising 2 groups of speed users, a multidrug group and a nonuser group, on the MMPI. There were marked similarities in the MMPI profiles of these groups which did not support the claim that speed abusers have distinct personality traits. Also, the degree of drug use and situational-motivational variables were not related to MMPI profile elevation. Results are discussed in relation to other drug abuse personality research. Recommendations for future research are outlined. (French summary) (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why can't a man be more like a woman? Sex differences in Big Five personality traits across 55 cultures.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 96(1) of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (see record 2008-18683-004). Some of the sample sizes presented in Table 1 were incorrectly reported. The correct sample sizes are presented in the erratum.] Previous research suggested that sex differences in personality traits are larger in prosperous, healthy, and egalitarian cultures in which women have more opportunities equal with those of men. In this article, the authors report cross-cultural findings in which this unintuitive result was replicated across samples from 55 nations (N = 17,637). On responses to the Big Five Inventory, women reported higher levels of neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness than did men across most nations. These findings converge with previous studies in which different Big Five measures and more limited samples of nations were used. Overall, higher levels of human development--including long and healthy life, equal access to knowledge and education, and economic wealth--were the main nation-level predictors of larger sex differences in personality. Changes in men's personality traits appeared to be the primary cause of sex difference variation across cultures. It is proposed that heightened levels of sexual dimorphism result from personality traits of men and women being less constrained and more able to naturally diverge in developed nations. In less fortunate social and economic conditions, innate personality differences between men and women may be attenuated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Clinical comparability of the standard MMPI and the MMPI-168": Correction to Hart, McNeill, Lutz, and Adkins.

Reports an error in "Clinical comparability of the standard MMPI and the MMPI-168" by Ronald R. Hart, John W. McNeill, David J. Lutz and Thomas G. Adkins (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1986[Jun], Vol 17[3], 269-272). In this article, the copyright information was incorrect. The corrected copyright information is included in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1986-26219-001.) Examined the clinical correspondence of the full-scale Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the MMPI-168 on a psychiatric screening sample of 210 men (mean age 43.27 yrs). The present results fail to replicate previous optimistic findings regarding the worth of the MMPI-168 and accent the need for caution in any further use of this abbreviated instrument. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Uniform versus linear T scores on the MMPI2/MMPI in an outpatient psychiatric sample: Differential contributions.

Hypothesized that the uniform T-score procedure was one possible source of observed differences between the MMPI-2 T scores and the MMPI T scores. MMPI-2 linear T scores were computed for a sample of 200 psychiatric outpatients (mean age 38.1 yrs) whose MMPI-2 and MMPI T scores had been determined at the same point in time. Differences created by the uniform technique were slight and did not exceed 1.2 T-score points. Contrary to hypothesis, the uniform T-score procedure reduced the differences between mean MMPI-2 T-scores and the MMPI T scores on 12 of the 16 scales. These data suggest that the differences between the MMPI and MMPI-2 T scores are mainly due to differences between the normative samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Normal and psychopathological personality characteristics of individuals in alcohol rehabilitation.

Relations between normal and psychopathological personality characteristics were investigated in 72 inpatient male alcoholics, who were administered the Personal Styles Inventory (PSI) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Results support the PSI circumplex model for normal personality traits. All PSI scales correlated significantly with one or more MMPI scales, including the basic MMPI orthogonal factors Anxiety (r?=?.55) and Repression (r?=?-.47), showing a relation between normal and pathological personality attributes. The mean MMPI profiles for subjects categorized by normal (PSI) personality traits corresponded significantly to basic MMPI profile types identified in previous research. Implications for counseling alcoholics and developing treatment programs using information from a broader based personality assessment approach are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detection of overreported psychopathology with the MMPI-2 RF form validity scales.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 23(1) of Psychological Assessment (see record 2011-01446-001). There was an error in the title. The title should have read “Detection of Overreported Psychopathology With the MMPI-2-RF Validity Scales.”] [Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Psychological Assessment (see record 2011-01446-001). There was an error in the title. The title should have read “Detection of Overreported Psychopathology With the MMPI-2-RF Validity Scales.”] We examined the utility of the validity scales on the recently released Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2 RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008) to detect overreported psychopathology. This set of validity scales includes a newly developed scale and revised versions of the original MMPI-2 validity scales. We used an analogue, experimental simulation in which MMPI-2 RF responses (derived from archived MMPI-2 protocols) of undergraduate students instructed to overreport psychopathology (in either a coached or noncoached condition) were compared with those of psychiatric inpatients who completed the MMPI-2 under standardized instructions. The MMPI-2 RF validity scale Infrequent Psychopathology Responses best differentiated the simulation groups from the sample of patients, regardless of experimental condition. No other validity scale added consistent incremental predictive utility to Infrequent Psychopathology Responses in distinguishing the simulation groups from the sample of patients. Classification accuracy statistics confirmed the recommended cut scores in the MMPI-2 RF manual (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bobo revisited: What the research says.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 17(2) of International Journal of Play Therapy (see record 2008-14897-001). A reference was incomplete. The correct reference is Trotter, K., Eshelman, D., & Landreth, G. (2003). A place for Bobo in play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 12, 117-139.] There has been some discussion in the play therapy literature regarding whether to use a Bobo doll (bop bag) in the play therapy room. The following article reviews research studies from the fields of personality, learning, and social psychology, and underlying theories to help inform and assist play therapists in their decision-making regarding Bobo. Suggestions are offered regarding future empirical research in play therapy outcomes and the choices of play materials in the playroom. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An item response theory integration of normal and abnormal personality scales.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 1(3) of Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment (see record 2010-17135-005). In the acknowledgments, Douglas Samuel was incorrectly listed as the author of the DAPP-BQ instrument. John Livesley is the correct author of the DAPP-BQ instrument.] The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV–TR) currently conceptualizes personality disorders (PDs) as categorical syndromes that are distinct from normal personality. However, an alternative dimensional viewpoint is that PDs are maladaptive expressions of general personality traits. The dimensional perspective postulates that personality pathology exists at a more extreme level of the latent trait than does general personality. This hypothesis was examined using item response theory analyses comparing scales from two personality pathology instruments—the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology-Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ; Livesley & Jackson, in press) and the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP; Clark, 1993; Clark, Simms, Wu, & Casillas, in press)—with scales from an instrument designed to assess normal range personality, the NEO Personality Inventory–Revised (NEO PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992). The results indicate that respective scales from these instruments assess shared latent constructs, with the NEO PI-R providing more information at the lower (normal) range and the DAPP-BQ and SNAP providing more information at the higher (abnormal) range. Nevertheless, the results also demonstrated substantial overlap in coverage. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to the study and development of items that would provide specific discriminations along underlying trait continua. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The violent 4-3 MMPI personality type.

Attempted to replicate and extend the study of K. R. Davis and J. O. Sines (see PA, Vol. 46:Issue 2) which found the MMPI high point pattern of 4-3 to be associated with commission of violent acts. 48 4-3 male inmates were compared with the 3 most frequently occurring other MMPI code types in a prison and with the institutional base rate for commission of violent criminal offenses. 4-3 Ss committed significantly more violent acts than any of the other personality groups and significantly more violence than the base rates of inmates in general. The other 3 personality groups did not differ from the base rate. Of the 4-3 Ss, 85% had a history of violence. Personality variables, e.g., guilt and anxiety, and race of the offender, are discussed. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of defining features on inhibition in a spatial localization task.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 24(6) of Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance (see record 2008-09897-001). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) main effects and interactions reported in the article were incorrect owing to an error in programming. Electronic mail requests for a table of corrected ANOVAs may be sent to psimone@scu.edu. Planned comparisons altered by the corrected analyses occur in the results of Experiments 2 and 4. The corrected results are presented in the erratum.] In selective attention tasks, inhibition appears to be limited to the reported feature of a stimulus, suggesting that reported features determine inhibition (S. P. Tipper, B. Weaver, & G. Houghton, see record 1995-20194-001). This article examines whether defining features can also determine inhibition when participants are required to make a cognitive search on the basis of a target feature (color or shape). In 2 spatial localization experiments in which a touch-sensitive monitor was used, results indicated that distractor inhibition depended on both defining and reported stimulus features. Two additional experiments examined the locus of discrepancy between these results and other findings (e.g., B. Milliken, S. R Tipper, & B. Weaver, see record 1994-35938-001). The researchers concluded that defining features can determine inhibition in a selective attention task involving spatial localization. However, defining-feature inhibition may depend on level of analysis of the stimuli. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Axis I and Axis II disorders as predictors of prospective suicide attempts: Findings from the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 113(2) of Journal of Abnormal Psychology (see record 2007-16710-001). On p. 378, the values in the "95% CI" column of Table 1 are incorrect. The correct values are given in the far right column of the table provided in the erratum.] This study examined diagnostic predictors of prospectively observed suicide attempts in a personality disorder (PD) sample. During 2 years of follow-up, 58 participants (9%) reported at least 1 definitive suicide attempt. Predictors that were examined include 4 PD diagnoses and selected Axis I diagnoses (baseline and course). Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that baseline borderline personality disorder (BPD) and drug use disorders significantly predicted prospective suicide attempts. Controlling for baseline BPD diagnosis, proportional hazards analyses showed that worsening in the course of major depressive disorder (MDD) and of substance use disorders in the month preceding the attempt were also significant predictors. Therefore, among individuals diagnosed with PDs, exacerbation of Axis I conditions, particularly MDD and substance use, heightens risk for a suicide attempt. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More or less "me" in past, present, and future: Perceived lifetime personality during adulthood.

This article examines whether adults perceive different levels of their own personality traits at different target ages, and what the differences are. Using abbreviated versions of assessments of the 5-factor model of personality (NEO-FFI, P. T. Costa & R. R. McCrae, 1989) and of well-being (C. D. Ryff, 1989), 398 heterogeneous participants (age 26–64) described their own personality (a) in the present, (b) when they were 20–25 years old, (c) when they will be 65–70 years old, and (d) in the ideal. Participants' responses across the 3 target ages indicated moderate change across adulthood and more variability than is typically observed in longitudinal studies of adult personality development. Anticipated late adulthood personality contained more losses than gains, although all target ages showed some gains. Participants' perceptions were characterized by early adulthood exploration, middle adulthood productivity, and later adulthood comfortableness. Additionally, older adults reported slightly lower ideals but in other ways responded very similarly to younger and middle-aged adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of the MMPI-2-RF in a college setting.

The current study examined empirical correlates of scores on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2–Restructured Form (MMPI–2–RF; A. Tellegen & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 2008; Y. S. Ben-Porath & A. Tellegen, 2008) scales in a college setting. The MMPI–2–RF and six criterion measures (assessing anger, assertiveness, sex roles, cognitive failures, social avoidance, and social fear) were administered to 846 college students (nmen = 264, nwomen = 582) to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of scores on the MMPI–2–RF Specific Problems and Interest scales. Results demonstrated evidence of generally good convergent score validity for the selected MMPI–2–RF scales, reflected in large effect size correlations with criterion measure scores. Further, MMPI–2–RF scale scores demonstrated adequate discriminant validity, reflected in relatively low comparative median correlations between scores on MMPI–2–RF substantive scale sets and criterion measures. Limitations and future directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Relation between mastery behavior in infancy and competence in early childhood": Correction to Messer et al.

Reports an error in "Relation between mastery behavior in infancy and competence in early childhood" by David J. Messer, Mary E. McCarthy, Susan McQuiston, Robert H. MacTurk, Leon J. Yarrow and Peter M. Vietze (Developmental Psychology, 1986[May], Vol 22[3], 366-372). In the article, an incorrect copyright note has been given. The copyright note has been corrected and is included in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1986-24138-001.) 53 infants were observed at 6 and 12 mo of age during 2 24-min play sessions. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were given at 6 and 12 mo and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) at 30 mo of age. Results reveal that measures of competence in infancy (successful task completion during play and the BSID scores) were not strongly correlated with the 30-mo MSCA scores. In contrast, infant mastery behavior during play strongly predicted MSCA scores: The time spent investigating toys at 6 mo and persistence in solving tasks at 12 mo of age were behaviors significantly positively correlated with the MSCA scales. It is suggested that infant behaviors that predict later competence do not remain static but change with age and that infants' mastery behavior is a more effective predictor of later development than their competence with either toys or developmental tests. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing the Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) in adolescents: New MMPI–A Scales.

The Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5; A. R. Harkness & J. L. McNulty, 1994) is a dimensional model of personality. Scales to measure the PSY-5 in adolescents were constructed from Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—Adolescents (MMPI–A) items. From the MMPI-2-based PSY-5 scales (A. R. Harkness, J. L. McNulty, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1995), 104 items are found in the MMPI–A booklet. Replicated rational selection (A. R. Harkness, J. L. McNulty, & Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1994) was used to identify additional items from questions unique to the MMPI–A. Preliminary scales were refined with internal psychometric analyses using the MMPI–A normative (N?=?1,620; J. N. Butcher, C. L. Williams, J. R. Graham, R. P. Archer, A. Tellegen, Y. S. Ben-Porath, & B. Kaemmer, 1992) and clinical (N?=?713; C. L. Williams & J. N. Butcher, 1989) samples. The median coefficient alpha for the 5 scales was .76 in both samples; the mean absolute scale intercorrelation was .32 in the normative sample and .30 in the clinical sample. Correlations with collateral data supported the construct validity of the scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality characteristics of the mothers of children with disruptive behavior disorders.

The biological mothers of 100 outpatient children aged 6–13 years completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Mothers of children given DSM-III diagnoses of conduct disorder (CD; n?=?13) had significantly higher scores on MMPI scales associated with antisocial behavior (Psychopathic Deviate and Hypomania), histrionic behavior (Hypochondriasis and Hysteria), and disturbed adjustment (Schizophrenia). In contrast, the children"s diagnosis of attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H; n?=?22) was not significantly associated with any maternal MMPI elevations, and the CD?×?ADD/H interactions were not significant for any MMPI scale. These results indicate that CD is linked to maternal personality disorder, but ADD/H is not. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)