No, it's not about substance abuse, even if it

(Hint: He who shall not be named is closer to the semantics and its etymological weaving. ... And I wonder if anyone can say the name. That's how the deepest meanings work. You all know it and yet you cannot produce it.)

MMPI - Take the test online, free!

 

MMPI IS AVAILABLE HERE!

• Also be sure to check out the new guides for Code Type interpretations
• Scales 3, 4 & 5
• Scales 6 & 7
• Scales 8, 9 & 0

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is the most used personality test in clinical settings in the United States; it is also the only personality test the results of which are recognized and used by that country's courts of law.  Published in 1940, the MMPI was the first comprehensive test that was data-driven, that largely did away with theory, and it was first calibrated by asking inpatient and outpatient individuals of psychiatric hospitals with well-known conditions to answer the test as they would if honest.  The MMPI-2 was published in 1989, with a larger and more diverse sample having been used as calibration, including not only individuals from the general population and individuals asked to pretend to be good or bad or to have a specific disorder but also taking into account the findings of many scientific studies that led to the inclusion of subscales and the supplementary scales.

The result was a test so long and so exhausting that virtually nobody is able to keep their answers coherent if an attempt at dishonesty was made.  The fact that it is so successful at detecting malingering, among other types of faking, is why this test is used in U.S. court cases of many kinds and why it is also used for employment hiring and promoting, from emergency services to police to military personnel, and in the private sector too.



Using 567 true or false questions,  rates the tester on 130 categories (validity scales included). Once validity of the answers (link goes to a search of scientific articles on the subject) is established, a profile is created employing the 10 Clinical Scales:

1. Hypochondriasis (Hs, a.ka. scale 1)
2. Depression (D or 2)
3. Hysteria (Hy or 3)
4. Psychopathic deviate (Pd or 4)
5. Masculinity/femininity (Mf or 5)
6. Paranoia (Pa or 6)
7. Psychasthenia (Pt or 7)
8. Schizophrenia (Sc or 8)
9. Hypomania (Ma or 9)
10. Social introversion (Si or 0)

Each of these is in itself composed of various other sub-scales and has a further Obvious / Subtle division that is important. The scales are typically referred to by their number, with Si being numbered as 0, as stated above and also shown in the image below.

The MMPI-2 produces T-Scores and Raw Scores. What you will be paying attention to are the T-Scores, not the Raw Scores, unless otherwise specified. T-Scores are not percentages, but may be translated into percentages. Usually, anything above a 75 T-Score denotes a very high ranking on that scale, that is, within the top 1% of the population. Likewise, anything above a T-Score of 65 falls outside the normal range (among the top 3 to 5% of the general population). On the lower bound, any T-Score below 35 would not be considered normal. This general guideline notwithstanding, keep in mind that these point ranges aren't rigid, that is, that some scales accept certain T-Scores as normal while other scales consider the very same scores abnormal.

If you are taking this for purely for yourself, then robust results on the validity scales allow you to push elevations even further, such that a 60 or 65 no longer seem important.  However, should you proceed in that way, the subscales and research scales become more important because a main scale may be low and still the patterns it approximates could be key in fueling the problems that have led to other high T-Scores.

How to interpret your own MMPI-2 results?

• Step 1:

  Verify that your results are valid, and identify what bias, if any, your profile displays.

• Step 2:

  Once determined to be valid, see how your profile compares to the rest of the population on the 10 Clinical Scales, and analyze your strengths and weaknesses on each scale by looking at its components.

• Step 3:

  Pinpoint your dominant Defense Mechanisms by probing your style.

• Step 4:

  Use the supplementary scales to better understand yourself and your current psychological tendencies.

Click here for instructions on how to do Step 1, Verifying Validity, which is indubitably the hardest and most technical part of interpreting your own MMPI-2 results.

Click to Enlarge.
This is the kind of graph that you would be given by a certified

psychologist in an official MMPI-2 interpretation report.

Seek the MMPI-2 at THIS ADDRESS.





The source code of the original script looks something like this.  You can download the .html file that you will find and take the test offline at any point in the future.

Click to Enlarge.
This is what you should see to create your MMPI-2 test file successfully.

The actual online test form appears as below:

This is what you when taking the MMPI -2. 

Answer all the questions and click 'Score' at the bottom. NOTE: If you want to make sure that your computer is properly set up, answer a few questions, click score to check if all the scales appear; then close the file, reopen it, and take the test! NEVER CLICK SCORE MORE THAN ONCE without reopening the file or you will get inaccurate results and also the results of some scales will come up as "undefined".

The score button at the end of the test makes your result 

appear immediately under the test on the very same URL!

Both the long and short forms of the MMPI-2 but not the MMPI-A commonly given to adolescents are available through this link.


Know yourself!


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Other psychological personality tests you may enjoy:

• Attachment Style Test (contains a link to a full version of the DSM V)
• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• The Enneagram Personality Test
• Lüscher Color Test
• The Defense Style Questionnaire

Related MMPI-2 information:

• MMPI-2 personality test free online
• MMPI-2 Validity Scales
• How to interpret MMPI-2 scores: Do it yourself
• 10 Clinical Scales of the MMPI-2: Definitions 
• Supplementary, Content, & Research Scales: Definitions 

• Clinical Scale 1 of the MMPI-2: Hypochondriasis
• Clinical Scale 2 of the MMPI-2: Depression
• Clinical Scale 3 of the MMPI-2: Hysteria
• Clinical Scale 4 of the MMPI-2: Psychopathic Deviate
• Clinical Scale 5 of the MMPI-2: Masculinity-Femininity
• Clinical Scale 6 of the MMPI-2: Paranoia 
• Clinical Scale 7 of the MMPI-2: Psychasthenia 
• Clinical Scale 8 of the MMPI-2: Schizophrenia 
• Clinical Scale 9 of the MMPI-2: Hypomania
• Clinical Scale 0 of the MMPI-2: Social Introversiol

And, always. the Free MMPI-2 link here.

Codetypes: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Analyzing Your Own MMPI-2 Results (All Scale 6 and 7 Codetypes)

 

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6–7 (Pa–Pt)

Snapshot. Mistrust fused with chronic tension/worry: vigilant, ruminative, threat-focused; prone to checking, reassurance-seeking, and adversarial interpretations.

Data & demographics.

• Anxiety disorders skew female; lifetime and past-year prevalence are reliably higher in women, so anxiety-tilted 6–7 profiles are more frequently encountered in female clinical caseloads. (PMC, SAGE Journals)

• In litigation/forensic contexts, Pa often elevates broadly (situational hypervigilance), so 6–7 appears more there than in community samples. (The Gitlin Law Firm, Frontiers)

• Inpatient base-rate work shows code-type frequencies and responding patterns differ by setting and by gender/race; use comparison groups when judging rarity. (PubMed)

Clinical prognosis. Good for anxiety/OCD-spectrum with CBT; weaker if fixed suspiciousness blocks alliance.

What works. High-structure CBT (exposure + response prevention if compulsive features), motivational interviewing for distrust, clear informed-consent boundaries to reduce “hidden agenda” fears. (General MMPI-2 code-type guidance.) (Pearson Assessments)

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6–8 (Pa–Sc)

Snapshot. “Psychotic V”/paranoid valley when 6 & 8 are high with 7 relatively lower—ideas of reference, odd perceptions, guardedness, social detachment. (Pearson Assessments)

Data & demographics.

• 6–8/8–6 is common among schizophrenia-spectrum inpatients. (Wiley Online Library, openresearch.okstate.edu)

• Schizophrenia shows a male-skewed incidence (~1.4:1) and earlier onset in men (late teens/early 20s vs early 20s/30s in women), shaping the age/sex mix of 6–8 caseloads. (PMC, National Institute of Mental Health)

Clinical prognosis. Variable; improves with adherence to antipsychotics + skills work; relapse risk if substance use or poor insight.

What works. Coordinated specialty care, antipsychotics, family psychoeducation; keep sessions concrete and reality-anchored. (MMPI-2 training notes for V-pattern interpretation.) (Pearson Assessments)

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6–9 (Pa–Ma)

Snapshot. Suspicious + keyed-up/excitable: irritable reactivity, counter-phobic bravado, quick threat escalation; may read slights as persecution and retaliate. (Western Kentucky University)

Data & demographics.

• Hypomanic/mania phenomena (which can drive Scale 9) are roughly sex-neutral in prevalence, with earlier manic onset reported in males—expect more young adult men in acute settings. (National Institute of Mental Health, Psychiatry Online)

• Forensic/competency samples show elevated Pa patterns and modest frequency of Pa-anchored code types (e.g., 3–6/6–3 ≈6.1%); Pa high-points are common in inpatient charts. (mmpi.umn.edu)

Clinical prognosis. Fair if arousal is stabilized; riskier where impulsive anger + persecution themes meet substances or weapons access.

What works. Mood stabilization first; behavioral containment plans; brief, neutral, specific communication; avoid power struggles. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–0 (Pa–Si)

Snapshot. Guarded, withdrawn, socially avoidant; interprets ambiguity as hostile, then retreats—low disclosure, low help-seeking.

Data & demographics.

• Social anxiety/avoidance loads more heavily in youth and often (not always) in females; social-anxiety prevalence peaks by the early 20s and shows female>male rates in several large samples. (PLOS, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink)

• In contested legal settings, Pa inflation is common; an introverted stance can be defensive, cultural, or temperament—not necessarily pathology. (Frontiers)

Clinical prognosis. Good with exposure-based treatments if engagement can be secured; slower course if isolation is entrenched.

What works. Graduated social exposures, behavioral activation, collaborative agendas, and clear privacy boundaries to reduce suspicious construals. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–7–8 (Pa–Pt–Sc)

Snapshot. Paranoid–anxious–thought-disorganized triad: scanning for threat, high autonomic tension, cognitive slippage; classic high-severity inpatient mix.

Data & demographics.

• 6–8 patterns cluster in schizophrenia-spectrum; adding 7 often marks anxious/paranoid decompensation. (Wiley Online Library)

• Male>female incidence and earlier onset shift the age/sex distribution toward younger men in first-episode units. (PMC, National Institute of Mental Health)

Clinical prognosis. Moderate with coordinated treatment; watch for rapid regression under stress.

What works. Antipsychotics + CBT-p (normalizing, behavioral experiments), family work; simple language, here-and-now focus. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–7–9 (Pa–Pt–Ma)

Snapshot. Suspicious + tense + over-activated: restless vigilance, racing worry, irritable outbursts; sleep and substances often worsen volatility.

Data & demographics.

• Bipolar spectrum ≈ equal by sex overall; earlier manic onset in males increases the proportion of young men in acute 6–7–9 presentations. (National Institute of Mental Health, Psychiatry Online)

• In forensic settings, Pa elevation is environment-linked; anxious over-control (7) coexists with dyscontrol (9), producing stop–go behavior. (Frontiers)

Clinical prognosis. Good once arousal/wakefulness are stabilized; alliance can be fragile if mistrust is engaged head-on.

What works. Sleep/mood stabilization first; CBT for worry; behavioral contracts to prevent escalation; crisp limits + empathic validation. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–7–0 (Pa–Pt–Si)

Snapshot. Watchful, anxious, avoidant: ruminative threat appraisal + social retreat; high need for predictability, low tolerance for ambiguity.

Data & demographics.

• Social anxiety/avoidance and generalized anxiety skew female and younger adult; unemployment/lower education correlate with higher social-anxiety burden in population data. (PLOS)

• Base-rate studies warn that code-type rarity is setting-specific; in college counseling centers, anxious introverts are common even when code types are undefined (<T65). (Pearson Assessments)

Clinical prognosis. Good with graded exposure + intolerance-of-uncertainty modules.

What works. Exposure hierarchies, behavioral experiments, assertiveness skills; slow pace, explicit agendas, transparent note-sharing to lower suspicion. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–8–9 (Pa–Sc–Ma)

Snapshot. Paranoid–psychotic features with manic drive: pressured cognition, persecutory themes, behavioral over-activation; risk for agitation.

Data & demographics.

• Appears in manic psychosis/schizoaffective presentations; bipolar prevalence ≈ sex-neutral, but manic onset earlier in males. (National Institute of Mental Health, Psychiatry Online)

• “V-pattern” guidance: when 6 & 8 are both very high and >7, expect psychotic content; adding 9 increases activation and risk. (Pearson Assessments)

Clinical prognosis. Dependent on rapid stabilization; good recovery potential with adherence.

What works. Antipsychotic + mood stabilizer regimens, de-escalation protocols, short commands, minimal stimulation. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–8–0 (Pa–Sc–Si)

Snapshot. Paranoid–psychotic coloring with marked social withdrawal: impoverished affect, suspicion-based isolation.

Data & demographics.

• Common in chronic schizophrenia samples; male-skewed incidence and younger male onset shape unit demographics. (Wiley Online Library, PMC, National Institute of Mental Health)

Clinical prognosis. Fair if negative-symptom burden is modest; risk of long-term disability if amotivation dominates.

What works. Skills training (social cognition, role-plays), behavioral activation, family engagement; keep interventions concrete and cue-rich. (Pearson Assessments)

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6–9–0 (Pa–Ma–Si)

Snapshot. Suspicious, activated, but socially avoidant: edgy solitude, intermittent bursts of activity/anger, poor repair after conflicts.

Data & demographics.

• Bipolar spectrum ~ equal by sex; avoidant traits/withdrawal more visible in younger adults and in those with unemployment/role disruption. (National Institute of Mental Health, PLOS)

• Forensic/correctional samples often show Pa as high-point; Pa peaks occur in ~10% of normative men, but Pa ≥T65 spikes are much rarer (~2–3%). (pearsonclinical.com.au)

Clinical prognosis. Good if activation and sleep are managed and behavioral routines are rebuilt; otherwise recurrent crises.

What works. Mood stabilization, stimulus control for sleep, values-based activation, clear conflict-de-escalation scripts; keep communications brief, behaviorally specific. (Pearson Assessments)

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Codetypes: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Analyzing Your Own MMPI-2 Results (All Scale 8, 9 and 0 Codetypes)

 

8–9 (Sc–Ma)

Snapshot:
Thought disturbance and perceptual distortions (Scale 8) are paired with high activation and energy (Scale 9). This can result in pressured speech, rapid shifts in ideas, grandiose or paranoid themes, and impulsive action. Episodes often involve decreased need for sleep and accelerated goal pursuit, sometimes with poor judgment.

Data & demographics:

• Common in bipolar I disorder with psychotic features and schizoaffective disorder.

• Schizophrenia spectrum conditions skew male in incidence (~1.4:1), with earlier onset in men (late teens–early 20s) than women (20s–30s) — this male bias carries over to acute 8–9 inpatient populations.

• Bipolar prevalence is sex-neutral overall, but mania often begins earlier in males, affecting the demographic mix of 8–9 cases in emergency and forensic settings.

Clinical prognosis:
Good functional recovery is possible with treatment adherence, but risk of relapse is high if medication is discontinued or substance use is present.

What works:

• Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics as needed.

• Psychoeducation for insight and relapse prevention.

• Minimize overstimulation; use calm, direct communication.

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8–0 (Sc–Si)

Snapshot:
Social withdrawal is reinforced by unusual thoughts and perceptual distortions. Individuals may be isolated, suspicious, and disengaged from social/occupational roles. Affect is often flat or restricted.

Data & demographics:

• This profile is frequent in chronic schizophrenia and severe schizoid or schizotypal personality presentations.

• Higher prevalence in men in inpatient populations, but long-term outpatient maintenance groups tend to be more gender-balanced as female cases accumulate over time.

• Lower socioeconomic status is common due to vocational impairment.

Clinical prognosis:
Guarded; functional improvement is possible with sustained engagement in structured support and skills programs.

What works:

• Social skills training and cognitive remediation.

• Supported employment programs.

• Consistent, predictable environments to reduce anxiety.

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8–9–0 (Sc–Ma–Si)

Snapshot:
Unusual thought content, high activation, and social withdrawal produce a volatile mix—individuals may shift from social isolation to sudden, impulsive engagement, often in ways that others perceive as unpredictable or disorganized.

Data & demographics:

• Seen in schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type) and manic psychosis presentations.

• Male prevalence is slightly higher in acute care; chronic mixed presentations balance closer to even gender distribution.

• Age of onset is often early adulthood, with poorer occupational outcomes in untreated cases.

Clinical prognosis:
Variable; improvement depends on adherence to mood and psychosis management, plus re-establishing stable social rhythms.

What works:

• Combined mood stabilization and antipsychotic therapy.

• Gradual reintroduction to structured activities.

• Relapse prevention plans emphasizing early warning sign recognition.

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9–0 (Ma–Si)

Snapshot:
High energy and sociability (Scale 9) contrast sharply with withdrawal tendencies (Scale 0). Individuals may alternate between periods of hyper-engagement and abrupt retreat. This often reflects underlying cyclothymic patterns, social anxiety, or burnout cycles.

Data & demographics:

• Bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia are common correlates; sex distribution is roughly equal.

• In occupational settings, this profile may appear in high-performance individuals who experience “crash” periods after intensive output.

• College-age and young adult samples show higher frequency of 9–0 compared to older populations, likely due to lifestyle and role demands.

Clinical prognosis:
Good if pacing and self-monitoring strategies are in place; relapse risk rises if high-activation periods are unmanaged or social withdrawal becomes prolonged.

What works:

• Behavioral pacing and activity scheduling.

• Social re-engagement planning after withdrawal phases.

• CBT for perfectionism or avoidance patterns if present.

   

   

  NOTE that the lists are made with numbers ascending; to view the remainder of the codetypes associated with 8, 9 and 0, you must read the prior installment articles, all of which are much lengthier. 
  

Codetypes: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Analyzing Your Own MMPI-2 Results (All Scale 3, 4 and 5 Codetypes)

 

Code Types Beginning with Scale 3 (Hysteria)

Scale 3 elevations typically indicate a tendency toward somatic expression of distress, denial of emotional turmoil, and a socially agreeable persona that may mask deeper conflict. The profile often shows good short-term stress tolerance but poor long-term coping if avoidance is the main strategy.

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3-4 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate)

Description:
A pattern of emotional avoidance and symptom emphasis is combined with disregard for or resistance to conventional rules. The individual may appear charming and socially skilled while sidestepping accountability.

Clinical Prognosis:
Chronic conflict with authority and an unwillingness to face emotional issues slow progress. Prognosis improves when treatment emphasizes self-determined change and accountability.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships, avoidance may be paired with rebellion, creating instability. At work, disregard for protocol can erode trust. In legal matters, the avoidance strategy may be misinterpreted as deliberate deception. Coping focuses on structured accountability and gradual exposure to direct emotional work.

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3-5 (Hysteria–Masculinity/Femininity)

Description:
Somatic avoidance coexists with gender-role tension or nonconformity. The person may deflect discussion of identity stress through health complaints or an overemphasis on external roles.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves when identity issues are addressed openly and respectfully alongside physical and emotional concerns.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships, unspoken identity stress may hinder intimacy. At work, role expectations can exacerbate stress. In legal contexts, bias about gender identity can distort perceptions of credibility. Coping includes identity-affirming environments and linking physical symptoms with underlying stressors.

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3-6 (Hysteria–Paranoia)

Description:
Avoidance of emotional distress is paired with mistrust of others. Individuals may rely heavily on physical symptom reports while resisting personal disclosure due to suspicion.

Clinical Prognosis:
Trust-building is essential; without it, they may avoid care entirely.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Relationships may suffer from both guardedness and lack of direct communication. At work, perceived unfairness may lead to withdrawal or disputes. Legal outcomes hinge on careful rapport-building.

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3-7 (Hysteria–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Somatic avoidance is coupled with chronic anxiety and self-doubt. This often produces excessive reassurance-seeking while avoiding direct confrontation with core issues.

Clinical Prognosis:
With CBT, prognosis is good, though progress may be slow if avoidance remains strong.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships, reassurance needs can become exhausting for partners. At work, overthinking slows task completion. In court, hesitancy undermines confidence.

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3-8 (Hysteria–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Avoidance and symptom focus combine with thought disturbance or unusual perceptions, producing a profile where reality testing is fragile.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires integrated psychiatric and therapeutic care; without it, disorganization persists.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Relationships require tolerance for unconventional thinking. Work needs structure and low stress.

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3-9 (Hysteria–Hypomania)

Description:
Avoidance strategies are paired with high energy and sociability, which can mask underlying emotional instability until stress overwhelms coping.

Clinical Prognosis:
Prognosis is better when mood regulation and emotional processing are addressed simultaneously.

Practical Implications & Coping:
At work and socially, this code often appears high-functioning until burnout hits. Scheduling rest and honest emotional check-ins is essential.

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3-0 (Hysteria–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance of distress through somatic channels is paired with withdrawal, reducing opportunities for social support.

Clinical Prognosis:
Reintegration into social contexts is vital; without it, symptoms often persist.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Work and personal relationships are narrowed, sometimes to near isolation.

 

 

3-4-5 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity)

Description:
Emotional avoidance and somatic focus mix with resistance to conventional rules and gender-role tension. Individuals may resist authority while also avoiding direct confrontation with identity-related stressors, masking these issues behind health or situational complaints.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves when therapy blends autonomy-respecting strategies with identity-affirming support. Without that, entrenched avoidance persists.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships, identity discussions may surface only in moments of defiance. At work, rule-bending can clash with organizational expectations. In legal contexts, bias toward gender identity can compound perceptions of noncompliance.

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3-4-6 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate–Paranoia)

Description:
Avoidance, defiance, and mistrust form a triad that resists outside influence. Individuals may challenge authority while holding strong suspicions about others’ motives, particularly in health or interpersonal matters.

Clinical Prognosis:
Slow progress unless trust is cultivated; adversarial approaches fail.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Relationships can feel adversarial. At work, frequent disputes with supervisors occur. In legal contexts, mistrust may be read as obstruction.

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3-4-7 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Avoidance and defiance coexist with chronic self-doubt, leading to ambivalence about both following and resisting rules.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves when self-efficacy is built and anxiety is reduced through structured challenges.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Relationships may be marked by indecision during conflicts. At work, task completion is inconsistent.

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3-4-8 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Avoidance and nonconformity combine with disorganized thinking or detachment from reality, complicating adherence to expectations.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires coordinated psychiatric and behavioral support.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Structured, low-demand environments are essential for stability.

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3-4-9 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate–Hypomania)

Description:
Avoidance, defiance, and high energy produce bursts of activity followed by avoidance cycles.

Clinical Prognosis:
Stabilization of energy and gradual emotional engagement improve outcomes.

Practical Implications & Coping:
At work, performance swings widely. In relationships, avoidance undermines consistency.

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3-4-0 (Hysteria–Psychopathic Deviate–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance and nonconformity mix with social withdrawal, producing a self-contained and resistant stance.

Clinical Prognosis:
Social reintegration and structured accountability are key.

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3-5-6 (Hysteria–Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia)

Description:
Avoidance and identity tension meet suspicion, leading to guardedness about both emotions and personal identity.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves when identity and trust concerns are addressed together.

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3-5-7 (Hysteria–Masculinity/Femininity–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Avoidance of distress, identity stress, and anxiety combine to limit direct confrontation of emotional needs.

Clinical Prognosis:
Good if identity affirmation and anxiety management are integrated.

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3-5-8 (Hysteria–Masculinity/Femininity–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Avoidance and identity stress are complicated by thought disorder, making direct engagement challenging.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires long-term, coordinated psychiatric and supportive identity care.

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3-5-9 (Hysteria–Masculinity/Femininity–Hypomania)

Description:
Avoidance and identity tension pair with high activity and sociability, sometimes masking deep conflict.

Clinical Prognosis:
Best when mood regulation and identity work are balanced.

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3-5-0 (Hysteria–Masculinity/Femininity–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance, identity tension, and withdrawal reinforce social isolation.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires both social re-engagement and identity support to shift patterns.

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3-6-7 (Hysteria–Paranoia–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Avoidance, mistrust, and anxiety produce a guarded, hypervigilant profile.

Clinical Prognosis:
Progress depends on gradual trust-building and anxiety reduction.

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3-6-8 (Hysteria–Paranoia–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Avoidance and mistrust are complicated by thought disturbance, making collaborative treatment more difficult.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires highly consistent and transparent care.

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3-6-9 (Hysteria–Paranoia–Hypomania)

Description:
Avoidance, suspicion, and elevated energy lead to volatile interpersonal patterns.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves with mood regulation and trust-focused interventions.

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3-6-0 (Hysteria–Paranoia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance, suspicion, and withdrawal combine into a closed-off stance.

Clinical Prognosis:
Gradual reintroduction to trusted social contexts is essential.

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3-7-8 (Hysteria–Psychasthenia–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Avoidance and anxiety coexist with thought disturbance, intensifying functional impairment.

Clinical Prognosis:
Integrated treatment addressing all components is essential.

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3-7-9 (Hysteria–Psychasthenia–Hypomania)

Description:
Avoidance and anxiety alternate with bursts of energy, creating unstable patterns of engagement.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood stabilization plus anxiety work improves function.

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3-7-0 (Hysteria–Psychasthenia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance and anxiety are compounded by withdrawal, reinforcing isolation.

Clinical Prognosis:
Gradual, supported re-entry into social contexts is key.

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3-8-9 (Hysteria–Schizophrenia–Hypomania)

Description:
Avoidance and thought disturbance mix with high energy, producing unpredictable behavior.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires stabilizing both thought processes and energy levels.

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3-8-0 (Hysteria–Schizophrenia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance and thought disturbance are paired with withdrawal, often leading to severe isolation.

Clinical Prognosis:
Best addressed with structured, supportive environments.

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3-9-0 (Hysteria–Hypomania–Social Introversion)

Description:
Avoidance and high energy alternate with social withdrawal, creating a cycle of outward charm and retreat.

Clinical Prognosis:
Balanced activity pacing and deliberate social connection reduce instability.

Code Types Beginning with Scale 4 (Psychopathic Deviate)

Scale 4 elevations typically indicate difficulty conforming to rules, a tendency toward authority conflict, and a need for autonomy that can overshadow collaborative problem-solving. This can range from mild rule-bending to open defiance, depending on severity and the presence of co-elevations.

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4-5 (Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity)

Description:
Rebelliousness is combined with gender-role tension or nonconformity. This can create additional stress in environments with rigid social norms, often amplifying the drive to reject imposed expectations.

Clinical Prognosis:
Prognosis improves when autonomy is respected and identity is affirmed, reducing the need for oppositional stances.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships, rule-defying tendencies and identity stress can produce conflict over lifestyle choices. At work, pushing back against norms may hinder advancement. In legal settings, bias regarding identity can combine with perceived noncompliance to worsen outcomes.

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4-6 (Psychopathic Deviate–Paranoia)

Description:
Defiance is paired with mistrust, leading to strong resistance against authority and skepticism toward others’ intentions.

Clinical Prognosis:
Progress depends on trust-building; without it, oppositional behavior becomes entrenched.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Relationships may be marked by control battles. At work, frequent disputes with supervisors are common. In legal contexts, this combination can appear as calculated noncooperation.

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4-7 (Psychopathic Deviate–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Rule resistance mixes with anxiety and self-doubt, creating inner conflict between wanting independence and fearing mistakes.

Clinical Prognosis:
Best outcomes occur when therapy builds both confidence and responsible independence.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Partners may see alternating rebellion and dependence. At work, this profile may resist oversight yet struggle without guidance.

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4-8 (Psychopathic Deviate–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Defiance toward norms coexists with thought disturbance or social alienation, making adherence to structured expectations difficult.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves with integrated psychiatric care and a focus on cooperative goal-setting.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Highly structured, low-conflict environments work best.

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4-9 (Psychopathic Deviate–Hypomania)

Description:
Defiance is paired with high energy, often leading to impulsive, risk-taking behavior.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood regulation reduces impulsivity and conflict.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships and work, bursts of productivity may be offset by sudden conflicts with authority.

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4-0 (Psychopathic Deviate–Social Introversion)

Description:
Rebelliousness is paired with withdrawal, producing a detached but noncompliant stance.

Clinical Prognosis:
Engagement in selective, trust-based activities is key to improvement.

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4-5-6 (Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia)

Description:
Defiance, identity tension, and mistrust create a strong oppositional stance, often with limited openness to collaboration.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires affirming, trust-based approaches.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In legal and workplace settings, bias plus mistrust can create entrenched disputes.

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4-5-7 (Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Rebellion, identity stress, and anxiety produce a push–pull between wanting independence and fearing failure.

Clinical Prognosis:
Structured, affirming guidance works best.

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4-5-8 (Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Defiance and identity stress are complicated by thought disturbance, making integration into structured roles challenging.

Clinical Prognosis:
Needs long-term, coordinated support.

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4-5-9 (Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity–Hypomania)

Description:
Rebellion and identity tension combine with high energy, driving bursts of unconventional action.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood and impulse regulation reduce instability.

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4-5-0 (Psychopathic Deviate–Masculinity/Femininity–Social Introversion)

Description:
Nonconformity and identity stress are reinforced by withdrawal, limiting opportunities to challenge prejudice constructively.

Clinical Prognosis:
Social re-engagement and identity affirmation are essential.

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4-6-7 (Psychopathic Deviate–Paranoia–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Defiance, mistrust, and anxiety combine to create chronic interpersonal friction and self-doubt.

Clinical Prognosis:
Trust-building and confidence training are critical.

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4-6-8 (Psychopathic Deviate–Paranoia–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Suspicion and defiance meet thought disturbance, making adherence to rules and cooperation challenging.

Clinical Prognosis:
Stable, transparent environments are crucial.

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4-6-9 (Psychopathic Deviate–Paranoia–Hypomania)

Description:
Suspicion and defiance are amplified by high energy, often producing confrontational impulsivity.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood regulation and structured trust-building help mitigate risks.

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4-6-0 (Psychopathic Deviate–Paranoia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Defiance and mistrust are paired with social withdrawal, reducing chances for collaborative resolution.

Clinical Prognosis:
Selective, low-pressure social engagement improves outcomes.

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4-7-8 (Psychopathic Deviate–Psychasthenia–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Rebellion and anxiety are compounded by thought disturbance, producing unpredictable reactions to rules and guidance.

Clinical Prognosis:
Integrated psychiatric and skills-based therapy is best.

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4-7-9 (Psychopathic Deviate–Psychasthenia–Hypomania)

Description:
Rebellion and anxiety combine with bursts of high energy, producing inconsistent follow-through.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood and anxiety management improve stability.

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4-7-0 (Psychopathic Deviate–Psychasthenia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Defiance and anxiety mix with withdrawal, resulting in minimal engagement with group norms.

Clinical Prognosis:
Re-engagement and confidence-building are essential.

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4-8-9 (Psychopathic Deviate–Schizophrenia–Hypomania)

Description:
Defiance and thought disturbance pair with high energy, creating unpredictable behavior and unstable relationships.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood stabilization plus structured psychiatric care are vital.

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4-8-0 (Psychopathic Deviate–Schizophrenia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Nonconformity and thought disturbance are reinforced by withdrawal, limiting functional roles.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires sustained support in low-demand environments.

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4-9-0 (Psychopathic Deviate–Hypomania–Social Introversion)

Description:
Rebelliousness and high energy alternate with social withdrawal, creating cycles of action and retreat.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves with pacing and gradual social re-entry.

Code Types Beginning with Scale 5 (Masculinity/Femininity)

Scale 5 elevations often indicate a departure from traditional gender-role identification, which may reflect genuine identity expression, a rejection of rigid social expectations, or both. Interpretation is highly context-dependent and must account for cultural and generational factors.

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5-6 (Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia)

Description:
Gender-role nonconformity combines with mistrust and suspicion, often leading to guardedness about personal identity and selective disclosure.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves when identity is affirmed in a safe, respectful environment that reduces defensive postures.

Practical Implications & Coping:
In relationships, trust issues may prevent deeper intimacy. At work, concerns over judgment can lead to reduced collaboration. In legal matters, prejudice can compound the effects of mistrust.

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5-7 (Masculinity/Femininity–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Identity stress coexists with anxiety and self-doubt, producing hesitancy in self-expression and decision-making.

Clinical Prognosis:
Best when identity affirmation is paired with confidence-building and anxiety reduction.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Relationships may be hampered by fear of disapproval. At work, hesitation can limit advancement.

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5-8 (Masculinity/Femininity–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Nontraditional gender identity is accompanied by thought disturbance or detachment from conventional reality frameworks.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves with integrated psychiatric support that affirms identity.

Practical Implications & Coping:
At work and in legal contexts, managing both prejudice and cognitive challenges requires strong advocacy.

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5-9 (Masculinity/Femininity–Hypomania)

Description:
Gender-role flexibility is paired with high energy and sociability, often creating an engaging but sometimes impulsive public presence.

Clinical Prognosis:
Improves with pacing strategies and impulse control, while maintaining authenticity.

Practical Implications & Coping:
Can thrive in creative or socially dynamic environments, but may overextend.

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5-0 (Masculinity/Femininity–Social Introversion)

Description:
Nontraditional identity is paired with withdrawal, reducing access to supportive social networks.

Clinical Prognosis:
Progress depends on carefully expanding trusted connections.

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5-6-7 (Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia–Psychasthenia)

Description:
Identity stress is compounded by mistrust and anxiety, creating persistent caution in social interactions.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires slow, trust-based identity affirmation alongside anxiety reduction.

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5-6-8 (Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Suspicion and thought disturbance complicate identity-related stress, limiting openness and stability.

Clinical Prognosis:
Best with coordinated psychiatric and identity-affirming care.

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5-6-9 (Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia–Hypomania)

Description:
Suspicion and high energy combine with identity stress, producing intense but sometimes volatile expressions of self.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood stabilization and trust-building improve consistency.

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5-6-0 (Masculinity/Femininity–Paranoia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Suspicion and withdrawal reduce opportunities for identity expression and social support.

Clinical Prognosis:
Small, safe-group integration works best.

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5-7-8 (Masculinity/Femininity–Psychasthenia–Schizophrenia)

Description:
Anxiety and thought disturbance complicate identity stress, producing heightened self-consciousness and disorganization.

Clinical Prognosis:
Requires careful psychiatric and supportive identity-focused care.

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5-7-9 (Masculinity/Femininity–Psychasthenia–Hypomania)

Description:
Anxiety, high energy, and identity stress lead to alternating periods of enthusiastic engagement and withdrawal.

Clinical Prognosis:
Energy pacing and anxiety control improve balance.

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5-7-0 (Masculinity/Femininity–Psychasthenia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Anxiety and withdrawal hinder identity expression, leading to isolation.

Clinical Prognosis:
Progress requires gradual, affirming social exposure.

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5-8-9 (Masculinity/Femininity–Schizophrenia–Hypomania)

Description:
Identity stress, thought disturbance, and high energy create unpredictable patterns of expression.

Clinical Prognosis:
Mood and thought stabilization paired with affirming care is key.

---

5-8-0 (Masculinity/Femininity–Schizophrenia–Social Introversion)

Description:
Identity stress and thought disturbance are compounded by withdrawal, producing chronic isolation.

Clinical Prognosis:
Structured support is essential for re-engagement.

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5-9-0 (Masculinity/Femininity–Hypomania–Social Introversion)

Description:
High energy alternates with social withdrawal, making identity expression inconsistent.

Clinical Prognosis:
Pacing activity and building stable support networks improve outcomes.

 

10 Clinical Scales of the MMPI-2: Definitions

MMPI-2 Scoring Chart with Clinical Scales, Lie,
Infrequency, and K correction, similar to
what appears on the report a test-taker keeps.

The main Clinical Scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory are almost always referred to via the numbers assigned to each (i.e., the numbers provided below to the right of the abbreviated lettering that appears on the free, online version linked to on this site). The following are succinct descriptions of what each scale attempts to approximate:

(1) Hs —  Hypochondriasis

Though hypochondriasis is nowadays synonymous with a constant psychosomatic generation of physical illness, the term hypochondriasis comes from the Ancient Greek "ὑποχόνδριος" (hypokhondrios), which denotes "the soft parts between the ribs and navel".  The gut, in fact, carries out a large amount of our emotional processes, containing the vast majority of our serotonin neurotransmitters, which play a big role in mood regulation.  Most people feel excessive preocupation, anxiety, or multiple low-intensity fears in their bellies, as a queazy feeling or unnerving nausea.  It is precisely this preocupation that the Hs scale intends to measure.

Scale 1 gets a K-correction applied to it during computation, with only the most exceedingly expensive versions of the test giving the evaluator both a K-corrected and a non-K corrected score, the reason being that peer-reviewed articles have accumulated that conclude that more often than not the non-K corrected scores are more accurate. This embarrassing tidbit (one that applies to all dimensions explicitly marked below as K-corrected) is still a subject of debate, but the fact that Pearson is charging extra for a result more basic than the one it always includes ought to provide a hint as to which side of the debate is likely to persevere ultimately.

Personally, I've noticed in my very limited experience that the higher a person scores on a K-corrected scale, the more necessary and accurate said alteration becomes; and the reason for this is simple: the more a personality uses these traits involved in the K validity scale, the more likely they are to attempt hiding them, which is why the K-correction validity scale exists to begin with.

It needs to be noted, however, that, even though the Hs scale seeks to indicate preoccupation with physical illnesses, it more broadly records a person's perception and recognition of their body's illnesses; because of this, someone suffering from many medical conditions will score highly on this scale even if they aren't very preoccupied about these.   Therefore, medical histories need to be considered when interpreting this scale.

(2) D — Depression

No definition necessary.  Click on the link above for further information about the scale and the several subscales that directly influence its interpretation.

No K-correction is applied to D.

It is only worth noting here that the majority of the people that take the MMPI-2 produce D as the highest T-score among the 10 clinical scales. With few exceptions, when scale 2 (D) displays the highest score, this ought not to lead to an interpretation where depression is deemed to be the leading driver of the rest of the elevated scores. To the contrary, depression ought to be seen as both an effect of the dynamics of other factors and as a cause of certain other features, usually leading to a vicious cycle that, if unattended, may cripple the mind-body and, generally, damage the quality of life of the test subject, sometimes over the long-term or even permanently. If the person carrying out the interpretation has a solid grasp of how human minds function, it ought to be an easy task figuring out which are the causes and which are the effects from the scores of all of the scales (subscales and research scales included).  The test itself, however, won't provide such a level of understanding.

(3) Hy — Hysteria

 Hysteria refers to the general malaise that arises from a persistent state of nausea, usually caused by stress or internal strife.

Scale 1 (Hs) takes both the bodily dysfunction and the resulting general malaise into its computation.  Unlike Hs, clinical scale 3 (Hy) attempts to ascertain is the tendency of the people who live with this general state of physical discomfort to use their complaints as a way to obtain affection and attention from those around them.  It is this opportunistic attention seeking that defines the hypochondriac, but in the MMPI-2 terminology, this is what is meant by hysteria.

The reason for this behavior to be the core of the concept is that, whenever their malaise-driven complaints, it rewards the entire functional chain (nausea --> malaise --> complaining to seek affection) such that, with each successful iteration, the individual becomes more prone to belly pains and these provoke even stronger feelings of internal weakness, and therefore trigger even more powerful attention-seeking wailing that carries, usually, a more compelling delivery, as would be predicted from the practice of any form of acting.

The word hysteria comes from the ancient Greek word for uterus [hystera (ὑστέρα)], but the word hysteria itself wasn't used in ancient times.  Despite the fact that it's modern appearance and usage is clearly marked by extremely sexist overtones and, adding insult to injury, strikingly demeaning intent, neither the developers nor the distributors (i.e., Pearson) of the MMPI family of tests have moved to replace the term, a change that would require no recalibration as it is just a lable that can be readily overwritten with a more accurate and appropriate nomenclature that actually refers to what the scale measures.

No K-correction is applied to the Hy scale.

(4) Pd — Psychopathic Deviate

A high score on the "Psychopathic Deviant" scale does not mean you are a psychopath or would even fit that sort of profile. All it means is that you are fighting something external that is attempting to regulate your behavior or that you are not willing to conform to societal rules or traditional ways of thinking.  Individuals with undergraduate degrees tend to show elevated scores, and those that attempted or completed graduate degrees average even higher scores.  The same applies to some minority groups having experienced systematic oppression, but that is too complex a matter to explain here; the sheer number of ethnic backgrounds proves forbidding.





If you graduated from a ranked [first tier, second tier, or third tier] four year college, your t-score for Pd is expected to be in the 60s.  If you carried out further graduate scores, a t-score of 65 is no longer considered elevated.  In those cases, you need a 70 or 75 t-score to reach any significance.  Note that a t-score of 75 is usually considered quite high.

In fact, the profile for a psychopath is typically articulated by sets of other scales, not Pd itself.  However, the Pd subscales can do a fine job of indicating potential problematic dynamics that are best interpretated in conjuction with the content, supplemental, and reseach scales.  Stated another way, even if a high Pd is very often not a matter of concern (in opposition to what the scale's name might prima facie bias one to believe), this is not to say that a high score on this scale cannot be approximating a very dangerous underlying dynamic.

The K-correction applied to Pd can be very useful in a careful analysis.

(5) Mf—  Masculinity-Femininity - Male / Mf Masculinity-Femininity - Female

Mf is not a K-corrected scale.

In the free, online version of the test, this clinical test appears twice.  One of the two appearances will always show the result UNDEFINED because the form requires you to place your sex as male or female and the result is computed factoring in that datum.

This scale computes against a strong gender stereotype.  A low score indicates adherence to traditional gender roles and their stereotypical functions; a high scores marks a rejection of such roles.

The results I have had the pleasure of looking at in the past have more or less shown that I have little interest in what relates to this scale.  However, I do understand why this scale exists to begin with, even if it's very existence can seem disconcerting nowadays, so many decades later.  Anyone who has had any experience as to what goes on within the populations inside mental hospitals is well aware of the large proportions of individuals therein who have sexual and gender dilemmas as central factors of the psychopathologies that have brought—or otherwise keep them—there.  Since the MMPI-2 was originally developed based on the input of psychiatric inpatient populations, the aforementioned fact, in and of itself, accounts for the existence of this scale.  There is also the added fact that gender-based problems frequently serve to trigger or accelate certain forms of psychopathologies, a topic the complexities of which far exceeds the matters of concern here.  Understand also that, when the MMPI-2 was developed, homosexuality was a diagnosable psychological disorder, and at present transgender frames of mind are diagnosable as gender dysphoria.




(6) Pa — Paranoia

The Pa scale is not K-corrected.

There isn't much to define when it comes to this scale.  It is perhaps the most straighforward measure among the clinical scales.  It simply approximates suspiciousness and distrust, and also sensitivity in relation to these.

There is a twist to the interpretation of this scale that I will not state here because it would damage the validity of the test.  Also, I am not a fan of helping people try to cheat the MMPI-2, which is a pretty pointless endeavour anyway as almost everyone that tries it fails miserably in their attempts and comes across worse than they would have otherwise.  However, it is such an obvious dynamic inasmuch as it is a direct effect of paranoia that anyone with any common sense can readily spot it if they ever came across it.  So... why ruin the fun?

(7) Pt — Psychasthenia

The psychasthenia scale is a K-corrected measure that, in the most precise sense, targets the subject's tendency toward the use of compulsion.  Understanding this, please do not confuse psychasthenia with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and not just because the MMPI-2 doesn't straighforwardly provide clinical diagnosis, though it is often use in conjunction with other methods to arrive at diagnoses.  If nothing else, note that most elevated Pt scores, including extreme elevations, aren't produced by people suffering OCD.

In a more lax sense, especially when the subscales and the supplemental scales are taken into account, beyond the mere tendency towards compulsion the Pt scale attempts to approximate anxiety, preoccupations, doubts, and as a result also graze at the trait of obsessiveness.  But this is only because compulsion carries some degree of obsessiveness by definition.  The MMPI-2 has a separate scale for obsessiveness (Obs) among its supplemental scales.  High Pt scores occur all the time alongside average and even low Obs scores.

The Pt scale is perhaps the most perilous of those included in this personality inventory.  Obviously, it isn't as dangerous or as detrimental to someone's wellbeing as the schizophrenia scale, even not as much as paranoia, hypomania, hysteria, or hypochondria, under most conditions of extreme elevation.  However, psychasthenia is usually accompanied by two features that, in my opinion, lead this scale to be often the most damaging of the bunch.

The first of the two features is that what is targetted by Pt operates as a catalyst: psychasthenia has a way of catapulting other clinical scales farther along their scales, so to speak.  I have personally found it useful to read this scale as more causal than the rest.  If associated supplementary scales suggest it, I find that it is useful to treat a very high elevation of Pt as being more prominent than other clinical scales that show even higher elevations when deciphering the codetype to be used to frame a particular set of results.  I am sure, however, that this is my preference and not likely to be part of the rules used by the interpretative software or of the dogma underlying a psychologist "official" interpretation.  I mention it here, like I do many of my personal observations, because it may prove useful to you as you analyze your own scores.  This is a do-it-yourself article after all.  [In the interest of full disclosure, prior to Google deleting the hundreds of comments in all the articles here, many people used to request that I help them interpret their own results, which I would do publicly (mainly out of a combination of curiosity, desire to help, and boredom), and my observations come from that limited experience in combination with my own extensive research into the human mind, research carried out with ZERO any relation to the MMPI-2 test itself.  I am not and have never been in the business of unethically charging copious sums of money to interpret MMPI-2 results and provide what typically read as pages of unfettered insults.]

Second, high psychasthenia levels typically lead to a poor prognosis, that is, people scoring highly on this measure are usually categorized as lacking susceptibility to treatment.  Stated differently, a psychologist that has a workload that is is sufficient might come to the conclusion that treatment would be a waste of his or her time.  This, in turn, may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Though I am not usually sympathetic to the plight of the psychologist, this is one of the rare occassions where I can hardly blame them.  Working with someone with compulsion at the center of their pathology is not only exhausing to put it mildly but also often pointless.  There are many reasons why this is so.  Chief among these is the fact that compulsions are extremely repetitive behaviors; therefore, the reinforcing nature of compulsions is so strong that it can barely be influenced in the format of hourly sessions, whether once a month or five times a week.  Additionally, at this point in human history anxiety disorders are the most common family of conditions perhaps because there aren't any treatment protocols that have been proven to have any significant efficacy over and above a person's willingness to be in treatment for them, which is why medication is usually the route taken, and comparison's between drug effectiveness and placebo effects are not very inspiring either (a fact that takes us back to the bit about a person's willingness to treat the issues).

Anxiety is the product of multiple fears that have lost their triggers and has generalized, that is, spread across the brain, permeating most of a subjects functional chains.  As such, the elimination of anxiety is a Gestalt-type transmutation that will alter a person to their very core.

(8) Sc —  Schizophrenia

Sc is a K-corrected scale.  The K-correction might be very important if the subject has very strong spiritual beliefs.  Oddly enough, if a person's spiritual beliefs are very strong AND they accord to a set of beliefs regarded as valid by their culture or subculture, this fact serves to shield them from a damaging interpretation of this scale.  That is to say that religious folk are more often than not forgiven, pun intended, moderate or even high elevations on this scale.

The schizophrenia main scale attempts to approximate odd perceptual experiences, odd perceptual processes, odd thinking, defectively odd behaviors, and to gage damage to the individual's wellbeing—a necessary condition needing to by satisfied by any diagnosis under the DSM-5 (click this link for an article where you may find a complete Diagnostic and Statistic Manual, Fifth Version)—it also includes a strong social alienation component.

Because it targets what is probably the most damaging of the families of psychological pathology, out of all the clinical scales the Sc score is computed using the most questionnaire items, with a total of 78 items.  To put that into perspective, hypochondriasis uses the least items of all, 30 in total, and paranoia computes 40 items.  The second top clinical scale when it comes to total of items used is, not coincidentally associated, social introversion with 69 questionnaire items, followed in third place by hysteria using 60 answers.

Keep in mind that very high elevations on this scale do not mean that the subject is suffering from schizophrenia.  A diagnosis of schizophrenia or any other form of disorder within the very large psychosis family of DSM-5 codetypes can only be arrived at if the requisites for any of these are known to be met.  This scale, like all other clinical scales in the MMPI-2, seeks to ascertain tendencies in an individual's personality, not clinical diagnoses.

(9) Ma — Hypomania

Ma is among the scales subjected to a K-correction.

Hypomania is by far the most fun of the states of mind targetted by the MMPI's clinical scales; nevertheless, it is also the potentially the most dangerous.  Do not conflate hypomania with mania as these are two distincts animic processes.  Hypomania is dangerous because it can suddenly and without warning transform into a manic episode.  This jump is likely among the quickest and largest leaps any human mind is capable of, and also one of the hardest to revert, be it immediately by the individual in minimal seconds during which takes hold or by professionals in the weeks, months, or years that follow the moment after a manic state occurs.  The potential damage of such a transformation is compounded by the fact that most people that live a mania and manage to come down from it end up in mania once again within the following two years.  Furthermore, often enough someone that went through a mania or psychosis will actually long for its reocurrence.

Someone in a hypomanic state can literally just snap from one minute to the next.  Psychosis and mania can take many forms and most of them aren't pretty, be it for any outside observer or for the person living it.  The gama of possibilities for what can occur is so wide that I cannot even begin to describe it here, not least of all because it can bring positive symptoms (i.e., things added to perception [not positive as in good, mind you], like sensory hypersensitivity, superhuman strength, etc.) and negative symptoms (things removed from mental functioning; e.g., loss of ability to speak, loss of memory, etc.), and any combination of positive and negative symptoms imaginable.

When a state of hypomania leads into a mania or psychosis the former is referred to as a prodrome to the ladder.  If you have any reason to suspect that you are currently in a prodrome, SEEK OUT HELP IMMEDIATELY wherever you may find it, be it in the form of seeking professional attention or by reaching out to friends or family or to whatever support system is at your disposal.  The rapid nature of the potential outcome and the risks associated with it are too large to warrant hesitation.

Well, it now may seem strange that I began this section stating that the mental state targetted by this scale is the most fun out of all the clinical states.  Just because it is the most fun doesn't mean that it can't also be the riskiest.  Skydiving is more fun that diving off a high board into an olympic swimming pool.  Hypomania, by itself, is not problematic.  In fact, living in hypomania, constantly or intermittently, can be quite conducive to a productive life if the energy is channeled properly into healthy efforts or into an individual's field of employ.

Have you ever had a long period in your live (say, several days or a few weeks) when you were brimming with energy, you felt that you didn't need to sleep so much in order to feel rested, your reasoning and memory were sharp, you were happy and euphoric, and your could see, hear, smell, taste, and touch with more detail and precision?  That's hypomania.

(0) Si — Social Introversion

The Si measurement tries to quantify orientation away from or towards social interactions at the time of testing.  It does this by inquiring into the person's beliefs about interpersonal relations, their willingness to engage in these, what the person feels after a social situation, and whether these seldom occur or are numerous.  It isn't, therefore, merely a measure of introversion as a matter of preference because it also factors in whether social alienation occurs as a matter of fact.

The real value of this clinical scale lies in its relation to the other clinical scales.  Social introversion is obviously not problematic in and of itself.  Although social introversion isn't as valued in the cultures where the MMPI-2 is used as it is in many other parts of the world, it is still a considered a personality trait with value in and of itself.  But introversion, particularly in the extremes, can become—and play a major role as—a cause of, a catalyst to, and an effect of psychopathologies.

Social introversion may become a causal component of a pathology if it serves to remove an individuals social support or safety net.  When an individual finds that there is nowhere to turn to, this readily becomes a major stressor that serves to precipitate the occurrance of new psychopathology as well as the exascerbation of any existing ones.

Social introversion can be a powerful catalyst to psychopathology when the scarcity of interpersonal interaction leads to a lack of perspective or an absence access to the experience of others against which to compare one's own experience.  For example, such a scenario is greatly problematic when schizophrenic tendencies cement themselves as perceptual process or cognitive functions.  Without others around to confirm or disprove one's own experience, delusions go mostly unchecked and hallucinations cannot be understood as being such.

Additionally, pathological processes can readily drive an individual towards introversion, be it for fear of the very real consequences society exacts or as a herculean (yet nonetheless futile) effort by the mind as it strives for self-preservation.

The three functional pathways delineated above almost always operate in tandem, such that what functioned as a cause renders an introversion operating as a catalyst and/or an effect in such a way that it alters or fortifies it's role as a cause, and so on.  The analytic distinction made herein quickly becomes important only for the purpose of analysis, the phenomena being much more functionally intertwined as a matter of fact in the life of an individual.  Thus, it is these relations as they refer to the other scales that you ought to consider as you interpret your own MMPI-2 results.


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Other psychological personality tests you may enjoy:

• Attachment Style Test (contains a link to a full version of the DSM V)
• The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• The Enneagram Personality Test
• Lüscher Color Test
• The Defense Style Questionnaire

Related MMPI-2 information:

• MMPI-2 personality test free online
• MMPI-2 Validity Scales
• How to interpret MMPI-2 scores: Do it yourself
• 10 Clinical Scales of the MMPI-2: Definitions 
• Supplementary, Content, & Research Scales: Definitions 

• Clinical Scale 1 of the MMPI-2: Hypochondriasis
• Clinical Scale 2 of the MMPI-2: Depression
• Clinical Scale 3 of the MMPI-2: Hysteria
• Clinical Scale 4 of the MMPI-2: Psychopathic Deviate
• Clinical Scale 5 of the MMPI-2: Masculinity-Femininity
• Clinical Scale 6 of the MMPI-2: Paranoia 
• Clinical Scale 7 of the MMPI-2: Psychasthenia 
• Clinical Scale 8 of the MMPI-2: Schizophrenia 
• Clinical Scale 9 of the MMPI-2: Hypomania
• Clinical Scale 0 of the MMPI-2: Social Introversion

And the Free MMPI-2 link.