MMPI Personality Psychopathology Five PSY-5 Scales Quiz 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many dimensions are measured by the PSY-5 scales on the MMPI-2-RF and MMPI-3?
- Three
- Five (Correct answer)
- Seven
- Ten
Correct answer: Five
The PSY-5 model measures five broad dimensions of personality and psychopathology derived from factor-analytic research on clinical and personality descriptors.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT one of the original PSY-5 dimensions?
- Aggressiveness
- Psychoticism
- Constraint
- Somatization (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Somatization
The original PSY-5 dimensions are Aggressiveness, Psychoticism, Disconstraint, Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, and Introversion/Low Positive Emotionality. Somatization is measured by other MMPI scales.
Question 3: The PSY-5 Aggressiveness scale primarily assesses which behavioral pattern?
- Physical violence only
- Instrumental and offensive aggression (Correct answer)
- Passive-aggressive tendencies
- Self-directed hostility
Correct answer: Instrumental and offensive aggression
The Aggressiveness scale measures instrumental and offensive aggression, including grandiosity and dominance-seeking, capturing proactive use of aggression for personal gain.
Question 4: What does the PSY-5 Disconstraint scale measure?
- Excessive behavioral rigidity
- Undercontrolled and impulsive behavior (Correct answer)
- Anxiety-related inhibition
- Social withdrawal patterns
Correct answer: Undercontrolled and impulsive behavior
Disconstraint reflects undercontrolled behavior, risk-taking, impulsivity, and acting without considering consequences. It is conceptually the opposite of constraint.
Question 5: The PSY-5 Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism scale maps most closely onto which Big Five factor?
- Conscientiousness
- Neuroticism (Correct answer)
- Openness to Experience
- Agreeableness
Correct answer: Neuroticism
Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism maps closely onto Big Five Neuroticism, both capturing the tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, worry, and emotional distress.
Question 6: High scores on PSY-5 Introversion/Low Positive Emotionality suggest which pattern?
- Excessive sociability
- Anhedonia and social disengagement (Correct answer)
- Paranoid ideation
- Compulsive patterns
Correct answer: Anhedonia and social disengagement
High scores indicate reduced capacity for positive emotional experiences, social withdrawal, and anhedonia, often associated with depressive features and schizoid characteristics.
How many dimensions are measured by the PSY-5 scales on the MMPI-2-RF and MMPI-3?