MMPI - Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory MMPI-3 Specific Scales Questions and Answers

Question 1

A clinical psychologist reviews an MMPI-3 profile for a client mandated to treatment for narcissistic personality disorder.
The client's report highlights a grandiose sense of self, a belief in being superior to others, and a strong sense of entitlement.
Which MMPI-3 Specific Problems scale would be most expected to be significantly elevated for this client?

Accepted Answer

Self-Importance (SFI)

Answer

Aggression (AGG)

Answer

Dominance (DOM)

Answer

Cynicism (CYN)

Question 2

A client's MMPI-3 results show a significant T-score elevation on the Compulsivity (CMP) scale. According to research on the structure of this new scale, an elevation suggests the client is likely experiencing a combination of which two psychological phenomena?

Accepted Answer

Fear and thought dysfunction

Answer

Impulsivity and behavioral dyscontrol

Answer

Somatic complaints and cognitive fog

Answer

Low positive emotions and social avoidance

Question 3

Which of the following MMPI-3 Specific Problems scales was newly created to assess non-planful behavior and poor impulse control, key components of the externalizing spectrum?

Accepted Answer

Impulsivity (IMP)

Answer

Activation (ACT)

Answer

Antisocial Behavior (RC4)

Answer

Behavior-Restricting Fears (BRF)

Question 4

A therapist is working with a client who survived a significant traumatic event. The client reports intrusive memories, nightmares, and a heightened startle response. The therapist administers the MMPI-3 to get a comprehensive view of the client's symptoms. Which Specific Problems scale is considered the premiere measure of trauma-related symptoms on the MMPI-3?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety-Related Experiences (ARX)

Answer

Stress (STR)

Answer

Worry (WRY)

Answer

Helplessness/Hopelessness (HLP)

Question 5

An MMPI-3 profile shows marked elevations on both the Social Avoidance (SAV) and Interpersonal Passivity (IPP) scales. Which interpretation best differentiates the primary meaning of these two elevations?

Accepted Answer

SAV reflects a fear-based avoidance of social interactions, while IPP (now DOM-reversed) reflects submissiveness and an inability to assert oneself in relationships.

Answer

SAV reflects active avoidance of social situations due to disinterest, while IPP (now DOM-reversed) reflects a desire for social connection that is hampered by fear.

Answer

SAV reflects a lack of social skills, while IPP (now DOM-reversed) reflects a preference for solitary activities.

Answer

SAV reflects cynical mistrust of others, while IPP (now DOM-reversed) reflects a general lack of emotional expression.

Question 6

A college counseling center administers an MMPI-3 to a student who reports significant body image distress, a history of restrictive dieting, and occasional binge eating. Which new Somatic/Cognitive scale in the Specific Problems set would be most critical to examine for this student?

Accepted Answer

Eating Concerns (EAT)

Answer

Malaise (MLS)

Answer

Neurological Complaints (NUC)

Answer

Cognitive Complaints (COG)