Validity of a critical-item scale for schizophrenia on the MMPI.

1 January 1954

journal article
Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Consulting Psychology

Vol. 18 (3) , 219-220
https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055317

Abstract

Describes the development and validation of a critical-item scale as an aid in differentiating psychotics from nonpsychotics. The scale is composed of 11 items from the Sc scale of the MMPI and scored in the Sc-plus direction. Using a cutting score of 4, it was found that the scale correctly identified 59% of the psychotics, while 31% of the nonpsychotics yielded false positives. Value and limitations of the scale are pointed out. The study also shows "the difficulty of constructing a meaningful scale based on psychiatric diagnoses which are themselves of questionable value." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

DIAGNOSIS &
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
CRITICAL ITEM SCALE
SCHIZOPHRENIA/DIAGNOSIS
SCHIZOPHRENIA CRITICAL ITEM SCALE
SCHIZOPHRENIA
MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY
EVALUATION
MMPI
PSYCHOSES
FALSE POSITIVE

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