The result is that in a forensic setting answers may be skewed to present oneself in the best possible light and seeking to minimize or deny any flaws.Īlthough the MMPI-2 has “validity” tests to attempt to determine the reliability and accuracy of test results, the Manual for Administration specifically warns about the “Idealized Personality” – that is, subjects who may “systematically describe someone whom they envision as having a perfect personality or an ideal adjustment. Parents who may be required to submit to an MMPI-2 test as part of a risk assessment are likely to be acutely aware of the fact that their ability to have custody or visitation of their children may be dependent upon how they answer questions and the test results. Inmates taking the MMPI-2 test are likely to be acutely aware to the fact that they are being evaluated for potential release from prison. Persons being evaluated in the court or correctional systems will not answer questions as would a member of the general population. MMPI-2, Manual for Administration and Scoring, S.R. The MMPI-2 was not specifically designed for the purpose of evaluating individuals in the context of custodial parental risk assessments, suitability for parole, nor to assess whether someone will succeed in a community supervised release program, nor for a determination whether the individual will commit a crime if released. Without a proper and fair clinical evaluation, the use of MMPI-2 by itself is an unreliable tool for forensic evaluations that present serious legal consequences. It is based upon test results taken from populations of individuals with already determined psychiatric diagnoses and personality traits to enable psychologists to test a subject and assist in rendering a diagnosis. The MMPI-2 is what is called “broad-band test.” That means it is a tool for general diagnosis.
The use of the MMPI-2 is not designed for specific forensic evaluations (i.e. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ("MMPI-2)- Challenging the MMPI-2