The prediction of paranoid behavior: comparative validities of obvious vs. subtle MMPI Paranoia (Pa) items

Assessed the relations among the obvious, neutral, and subtle MMPI Paranoia (PA) subscale scores and criteria that consisted of Mehrabian's Stimulus Screening Scale, Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale, a Paranoia Questionnaire, the Einstellung Test, and an unobtrusive measure of personalization. Male college students served as Ss (N = 100). The obvious PA subscale was found to be correlated significantly with Mehrabian's Stimulus Screening Scale, Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale (in a negative direction), and the Paranoia Questionnaire. The neutral PA subscale was related significantly to Mehrabian's Stimulus Screening Scale, Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale (also in a negative direction), and, at a trend level, the Einstellung Test. The subtle subscale correlated with Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale (in a positive direction) and an unobtrusive measure of personalization. Correlations among the criteria themselves were generally insignificant, but the relationships found supported the use of the paranoia criteria as measures of the intended construct.