A cross-validation of MMPI scales of aggression on male criminal criterion groups.

Abstract

The 13 basic Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales, 21 experimental scales of hostility and control, and 4 response-bias scales were cross-validated on 168 male criminals assigned to four aggressive criterion groups (nonviolent, threat, battery, and homicide). All but 1 of the 17 hostility scales showing group differences confirmed Megargee's prediction of lower scores on hostility measures and higher on control for aggressive individuals. However, a more parsimonious interpretation in terms of a naysaying response style in the aggressive groups accounted for all group differences. Balancing of item scoring on experimental MMPI scales was suggested until such time as the issue of acquiescence response style on true/false tests is resolved.

Personality Correlates of Extent versus Type of Antisocial Behavior among Adult Offenders: A Mulitvariate Analysis

“…The degree of group discrimination is statistically significant along a single dimension, A = .730, R,, = .363, X2 (52) = 75.86, p < .05, and it is of comparable mcagnitude to the multiple regression results. The pattern of MMPI scores for offense-type groups (not shown) is similar to that reported by Megargee and Mendelsohn (19621, and replicated by Blackburn (1968) and Deiker (1974), in demonstrating an inverse relationship between degree of assaultiveness and elevation on certain MMPI scales, especially Pd. This pattern has most often been explained by reference to the concept of overcontrolled hostility (Megargee, 1966).…”

“…Concomitantly, numerous studies have been clonducted in which there has been an attempt to identify associaltions between personality patterns and criminological variables. Especially frequent have been efforts to differentiate among offenders who have been classified according to the type or seriousness of their most recent antisocial behavior (Blackburn, 1968 ;Ruck & Graham, 1978;Carroll & Fuller, 1971;Davis C Sines, 1971;Deiker, 1974;Holland & Holt, 1975 ;McCreary, 1976 ;Megargee & Meindelsohn, 1962;Panton, 1958;Persons & Narks, 1971;Rader, 1977), although studies of first offenders versus recidivists (Bauer & Clark, 1976;Christensen & LeUnes, 1974;Clark, 1948;Dunhxm, 1954;Flanagan & Lewis, 1974;Panton, 1959Panton, , 1962a and probationparole violators versus nonviolators (Gough, Wenk, & Rozynko, 1965;Jacobson & Wirt, 1969;Mack, 1969;Mandel & Barron, 1966;Panton, 1962b ;Smith & Lanyon, 1968) have also often been reported.…”

An Examination of Mental Health, Hostility, and Typology in Homicide Offenders

“…As in past research (Deiker, 1974;Quinsey et al, 1980), the three violent offender groups did not differ on O-H scale scores. The results may cast some doubt on the O-H construct as originally conceived, or alternatively, the O-H scale itself may only be capable of distinguishing between violent and nonviolent offenders (Deiker, 1974) rather than gradations of violence severity.…”

Use Of The MMPI And Its Derived Scales With Sex Offenders: I. Reliability and Validity Studies

“…Deiker, 1974;and Lane & Kling, 1979) but negative findings have also questioned its value. Quinsey et al (1980), for example, failed to find a difference between OH scores of violent and nonviolent offenders.…”