MMPI

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a standardized self-report questionnaire used to assess adult personality and major patterns of subjective experience linked to mental disorders. Developed in the 1940s by Starke R. Hathaway and J. C. McKinley at the University of Minnesota, it has become one of the most widely used psychological assessment tools in clinical, forensic, and research settings. The MMPI has undergone revisions to improve reliability, validity, and clinical utility, including the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF, with further updates in the MMPI-3.

The MMPI consists of true/false items accompanied by validity indicators that screen for response biases and test-taking style. Core scales originally measured clinical dimensions of psychopathology, such as depression, hypochondriasis, hysteria, and paranoia; validity scales (L, F, K) detect underreporting, exaggeration, or inconsistent responding. Later versions added reorganized or supplementary scales to refine interpretation. A profile is interpreted as a pattern across scales, with clinicians noting high elevations, code types, and clinically meaningful configurations.

Administration typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes and is often computer-scored today. Interpretation requires trained professionals who integrate test results with clinical interview data. The MMPI is used for diagnosis, treatment planning, and risk assessment in various settings; it has numerous language translations and normative samples. Despite widespread use, the instrument faces criticism for cultural and linguistic biases, reliance on self-report, potential for response bias, and the need for careful, contextually informed interpretation.