| Abstract: | Indicates distinctive differences between the MMPI scores of blacks and whites. Differences in social desirability ratings of items and disproportionate representation of black-favored items on the key scales partially account for these findings. Education, residence, and cultural separation influence the degree of difference found. However, whether normal or institutionalized, blacks generally obtain higher scores than whites on the Validity, Schizophrenia, and Hypomania scales. Item and factor analyses reveal that these differences represent differences between blacks and whites in values, perceptions, and expectations, rather than differences in level of adjustment. The principal value exhibited by blacks has been labeled distrust of society or social cynicism. Preliminary data is presented from the author's study of white (n = 300) and black (n = 487) job applicants and psychiatric patients. Results suggest that (a) prospective black policemen and hospital attendents are disadvantaged when the MMPI is used for screening and (b) black psychiatric patients are less likely than whites to be diagnosed accurately by the MMPI. Various solutions to this problem are discussed; the most satisfactory approach appears to be construction of an MMPI based on black norms. (35 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
