School Psychologist-Based Personality Assessment

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School Psychologist-Based Personality and Behavior Assessment Scenario According to Camara, Nathan and Puente (2000), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, commonly refered to as MMPI, is the most used researched and standardized psychometric for test for psychopathology and personality among adults. The MMPI-A is the version that was specifically designed to take on a different approach to personality test that targets adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years (Asendorpf, 2003). Using the approach among adolescents, psychologists can help in differential diagnosis, answer legal questions, formulate treatment plans and participate in therapeutic evaluation (Gass & Odland, 2014). From the perspective of a school psychologist, this Since it was designed as a self-report tool that assesses a broad scope of clinical conditions, its reliability and validity can be considered as strong. In its 478 items, the MMPI-A covers the 10 original scales of MPPI, six validity scales, PSY-5 scales, and 15 content component scales. Then there are also three social introversion sub-scales, the 31 Harris Lingoes sub-scales and six supplementary scales. More importantly, studies of the MMPI-A have shown high test and retest consistency through which reliability and validity can be guaranteed (Gass & Odland, 2012). With the exception of the MF scale that is part of the four factor model, the remaining three which are General Maladjustment, Social Introversion and Over-Control, relevantly address the behavioral problems exhibited by Jane. Hence, it is imperative that the racial disparity of the MF scale be considered from a cultural perspective because studies have shown that there is a tendency of non-Whites scoring higher than other races (Gass & Odland, 2014). Ideally, the variations in cultural values must be considered when applying the test on Whites and non-Whites since the differences reflect socio-economic factors rather than racial (2003). Head-to-head comparison of the predictive validity of personality types and dimensions. European Journal of Personality, 17(1), 327-346. Camara, W., Nathan, J., & Puente, A. (2000). Psychological test usage: Implications in professional psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(2), 141- 154. Gass, C., & Odland, A. (2012). MMPI-2 revised form symptom validity scale-revised: Psychometric characteristics in a nonlitigation neuropsychological setting. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 34(1), 561-570. Gass, C., & Odland, A. (2014). MMPI-2 symptom validity scale: Psychometric characteristics and limitations in a Veterans Affairs neuropsychological setting. Applied Neuropsychology: Adult, 21(2), 1-8. Paunonen, S., & Ashton, M. (2001). Big-five factors and facets and the prediction of behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(1), 524-539. Pittenger, D. (2005). Cautionary comments regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 57(3), 210-221. University of Minnesota. (2016). MMPI-A overview. Retrieved from

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