MMPI and MMPI-2 scores on the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale

Area of Science:

• Psychological assessment
• Personality psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a widely used psychological assessment tool.
• The revised MMPI-2 introduced normative changes that may affect scale scores.
• Understanding score differences between MMPI and MMPI-2 is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare raw and T scores of the Cook-Medley Hostility scale between the MMPI and MMPI-2 normative groups.
• To investigate the pattern of score differences for the Hostility scale in relation to other MMPI/MMPI-2 scales.
• To explore potential reasons for observed discrepancies in normative data.

Main Methods:

• Statistical comparison of mean raw scores for the Cook-Medley Hostility scale.
• Analysis of T score transformations based on different normative samples.
• Comparative analysis of score patterns across various MMPI and MMPI-2 scales.

Main Results:

• Raw-score means for the Cook-Medley Hostility scale were lower in the MMPI-2 normative group than in the MMPI normative group.
• T scores for the Hostility scale were higher in the MMPI-2 normative group compared to the MMPI normative group.
• This pattern contrasts with findings for MMPI-2 clinical scales but aligns with some other MMPI/MMPI-2 scales.

Conclusions:

• The MMPI-2 normative update yields distinct score profiles for the Cook-Medley Hostility scale.
• These differences necessitate careful consideration when interpreting MMPI and MMPI-2 Hostility scores.
• Further research may elucidate the underlying psychological and psychometric factors driving these score variations.