Validity of Harris and Lingoes MMPI subscale descriptors in an outpatient sample

The validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) subscales described by Lingoes (1960) along with his predicted correlates was investigated using clinicians' ratings of 85 outpatient therapy clients. Of the 68 predicted correlates, 30 were significant and supported the description of 16 of the subscales, but not necessarily their ability to discriminate nuances of pathology. The most significant correlations were obtained by the D, Pd and Sc subscales, the fewest by the Hy, Pa and Ma subscales. The lack of significant results for 12 subscales is discussed in terms of subscale unreliability, subscale length, or insufficiencies in the criteria or sample tested. The possibility that several of the unsupported subscales may function in the detection of defensiveness was considered.