A comparison of traditional and computer-generated psychological reports in an adolescent inpatient setting

Although individual personality tests and occasionally test batteries have been the focus of considerable research, the psychological report itself has largely escaped direct scrutiny. This study examined the perceived accuracy, utility, and specificity of traditional psychological reports and compared these values with those obtained for the computer-generated report for the Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory (MAPI). Analyses indicated no difference in rated accuracy by either therapists or nursing staff. Both reports were judged as mediocre in accuracy and usefulness. The MAPI was judged to offer more specific interpretations than was the traditional psychological report and to be superior in quality of writing. A variety of substantive and extraneous variables were examined and found not to alter these results.