Why are there high correlation between the clinical scales?
common factor - demoralization
Why were the RC scales developed?
factor out demoralization
leave the core construct of each scale
preserve descriptive correlates and enhance distinctiveness
RC scales
RCd - Demoralization RC1 - Somatic Complaints RC2 - Low Positive Emotions RC3 - Cynicism RC4 - Antisocial Behavior RC6 - Ideas of Persecution RC7 - Dysfunctional Negative Emotions RC8 - Aberrant Experiences RC9 - Hypomanic Activation
RCd
RCd (demoralization) is an indicator of the overall level of reported emotional discomfort.
T >75 suggests significant emotional discomfort and helplessness.
RC1
Closest of any RC scale to it’s counterpart Clinical Scale 1 (Hs)
May be less related to depression than Hs scale (factored out)
T >75 gives you the same interpretation of being concerned with their physical maladies, reporting a high number of symptoms, and rejecting efforts to attribute their problems to psychological factors
RC2
Correlates @ .8 with Scale 2 (D) although content has changed
Lack of positive emotional experiences and a core of depression. Expect RCd elevations also.
Suggests increased risk for depression.
RC3
- Took the somatic complaints from Scale 3 (Hy) and assigned them to RC1, which left a measure of cynicism
- “Non-self-referential beliefs expressing distrust and a generally low opinion of others” (Graham)
- When high suggests cynicism, sees others as untrustworthy, uncaring and lacking in concern for others
- When low (T<40) suggests naïveté or gullibility, overly trusting
- What does this have to do with conversion disorder????
- —Nothing at all
RC4
RC4 mostly focuses on antisocial acts (keep in mind when we get to the PAI)
- Elevated in persons with histories of antisocial attitudes and behaviors
- Considered more pure measure of antisocial characteristics than Scale 4
- Low scorers indicate persons who report higher than average levels of behavioral constraint
Could be antisocial and, if not demoralized, would not yield MMPI-2 scale 4 elevations.
RC6
- More pure measure of persecutory thinking than Pa Scale.
- T Scores >75 on RC6 suggest paranoid or delusional/psychotic thinking
- Elevations on scale 6 and not RC6 suggests that the parent elevation is more due to demoralization than paranoia
- Can think this way about all of the RC/parent scale relationships
- Low scores not interpreted
RC7
- High scorers are reporting negative emotional experiences, including anxiety, fear, and irritability
- Experience intruding ideation, are insecure and sensitive, self-critical, brooding, etc.
- Low scorers indicate below average levels of negative emotional experiences
RC8
- Variety of sensory, perceptual, motor, and cognitive disturbances that suggest impaired functioning of the self
- –Sensory, perceptual, cognitive and motor disturbances
- Presence of schizophrenia/psychotic disorder increases after T score > 75
- T score 65-74 indicator of schizotypal characteristics
- Low scores not interpreted
RC9
- Relatively close to the original scale
- –Person is reporting racing thoughts, high energy, heightened mood, irritability, behavioral activation, may have poor impulse control, etc.
- Similar interpretations once scales go beyond T score of 75
- Low scores indicate persons who have below average levels of activation and engagement with their environments
How do you interpret these scales?
compare with the clinical scales
both high
clinical scales high and rc low
rc high and clinical low
both high?
- inferences about the core construct of the Clinical Scale can be made with considerable confidence
- Inferences about the test taker in addition to those associated with core construct may be appropriate based on the high score on Clinical Scale
clinical high but rc low
Be cautious about making inferences that test taker has characteristics associated with core construct of Clinical Scale; may be demoralization factor causing elevation
rc high but clinical low
Can make inferences regarding characteristics of core construct measured by scale; lower Clinical Scale may result from absence of demoralization
what about the psychometrics?
authors say they’re good (used the MMPI-II normative sample and )
internal consistencies better than clinical scales
-normative .63.-89
-outpatient .77-.93
-inpatient .83-.95
improved discrim/converge validity
outside research (Simms et al.) - bascially confimrs what the authors say
