Construct validation of the Sc scale of the MMPI

Abstract

Tested the hypothesis that Ss with elevated MMPI profiles would exhibit qualitatively different word associations from those with normal MMPI profiles. Ninety-two Ss drawn from introductory psychology classes were placed into one of three groups. The first group (N = 29) had T scores between 45 and 55 on all scales. Group two (N = 26) had T scores greater than 65 on the Sc scale and less than 65 on the PA scale. Group three (N = 37) had elevations on the SC and PA scales high enough to exceed a cut-off value of 5 on Sines and Silver's (1973) index of pathology formulation. All groups were administered a word association test that was scored according to Rapaport, Gill and Schafer's (1968) system. The groups were found to differ at the 0.01 level, which supports the hypothesis. Word associations also were examined for evidence of the paradigmatic/syntagmatic shift first reported by Tendler (1945). The results are interpreted as demonstrating the construct validity of SC scale in that the more pathological the profile, the greater degree of cognitive disturbance exhibited.

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