Assessment Using the Mmpi?f

The MMPI-2-RF represents a paradigm shift in psychology. What was once a black-and-white approach to diagnosis—you either had a disorder or you didn’t -- has given way today to a more flexible and more realistic system that recognizes a continuum of functioning. This modern way of thinking is reflected in David McCord’s approach to interpreting the MMPI-2-RF, which he presents in this handy introductory guide.

McCord offers a thorough overview of the MMPI-2-RF and each of its 51 scales, along with practical considerations for administration and scoring. Building on this foundational material, he then lays out a step-by-step framework for interpreting test results using a two-pass approach. In the first pass, the examiner quickly scans the results to get a broad sense of the client’s personality and psychopathology. The second pass entails a more methodical analysis that focuses on specific domains, such as somatic/cognitive dysfunction and interpersonal functioning. A rich case example brings this process to life by showing readers how to evaluate an actual score report and communicate their interpretations in narrative format.

David M. McCord, PhD, is a professor of clinical psychology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He received a BA in psychology from Duke University in 1972, an MA in clinical psychology from Western Carolina University in 1979, and a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama in 1984, where he studied with Dr. Ray Fowler. He completed his predoctoral internship year in the School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in 1984, mentored by Dr. Charles S. Newmark. His publications and professional presentations focus generally on personality assessment and personality theory, with primary focus on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2—Restructured Clinical Scales and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2—Restructured Format. He serves on the editorial board of Psychological Assessment and is a frequent ad hoc reviewer for other journals.