Difference Between MMPI and MMPI 2

Posted on December 9, 2015 by admin

Key Difference MMPI vs MMPI 2

MMPI and MMPI 2 refer to two psychological tests used in mental health to assess the
personality of individuals. However, there is a key difference between these two tests.
MMPI 2 or else the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 can be considered as
the revised version of the original Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).
In the psychological field, MMPI 2 is the most widely used psychological test by
professional to assess the condition of individual who suffer from mental health issues.
The key difference between the two psychological tests is that MMPI was designed
specifically for clinical purposes, but MMPI 2 can be used in other fields as well.
Through this article, let us examine the differences that exist between these two tests in
depth. First let us begin with the MMPI.

What is MMPI?
MMPI refers to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. This was published
in 1942 by Starke R. Hathaway and John C. McKinley as Medical and Psychiatric
Inventory. MMPI is a psychometric test that assists the psychologist to comprehend the
varied social, personal and behavioral issues experienced by mental health patients.
There is another test known as MMPI-A, which is specifically used for adolescents.

The original MMPI consisted of ten clinical scales. They are

hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic, deviate, masculinity/feminity,
paranoia, psychiasthenias, schizophrenia, mania, and social introversion. Also, there
were the validity scales as well which allowed the psychologist to assess the
truthfulness and responsiveness of the client.
What is MMPI 2?
The MMPI 2 or else the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 came in the
form of a revised version of the original MMPI as experts began to realize that it
consisted of certain flaws. The MMPI 2 was published in 1989. This consists of 567
questions and it takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

The MMPI 2 also consists of ten subscales that are almost identical to the subscales of
MMPI. They are hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate,
masculinity/femininity, paranoia, psychasthenias, schizophrenia, hypomania, and social
introversion. Also, it consists of seven validity scales as well. Some examples for this
are the L Scale, the F-Scale, the K Scale, etc.

The specialty of MMPI 2 is that it is not only used in clinical psychology but other fields
as well. For example, in the industrial context the MMPI 2 is used as a tool for screening
in certain high-risk professions. Also, in the legal setting, it is used for criminal and
custodial care cases as well. Experts highlight that the usage of MMPI 2 in such
contexts is questionable.
What is the difference between MMPI and MMPI 2?
Definitions of MMPI and MMPI 2:
MMPI: MMPI refers to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

MMPI 2: The MMPI 2 refers to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 which
is a revised version of the original MMPI.

Characteristics of MMPI and MMPI 2:

Publication:
MMPI: This was published in 1942.

MMPI 2: This was published in 1989.

Test:
MMPI: MMPI was initially introduced as a psychological test, but this was revised later
on as MMPI 2.

MMPI 2: MMPI 2 is the most widely used psychological test to assess mental health.

Subscales:
MMPI: Hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate,
masculinity/femininity, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, mania and social
introversion are the ten subscales of MMPI.

MMPI 2: Hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, psychopathic deviate,

masculinity/femininity, paranoia, psychasthenia, schizophrenia, hypomania and social
introversion are the ten subscales of MMPI 2.

Usage:
MMPI: MMPI was used specifically as a psychological test for clinical purposes.

MMPI 2: MMPI 2 is used in psychological contexts as well as in legal and industrial

contexts as well.

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1. Physiognomy by Tom Ordelman (User:Thor_NL) Own reproduction. [Public

Domain] via Commons

2. Employees discuss in office by Hillebrand Steve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service [Public Domain] via Commons