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Value of the MMPI in Deciding Forensic Issues in Accused Sexual Offenders

NCJ Number
156387
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1995) Pages: 205-219
Author(s)
W L Marshall; G C N Hall
Date Published
1995
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Research on responses of various types of sex offenders in to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) indicates that MMPI responses do not satisfactorily distinguish a particular type of sex offender from other subjects, including nonoffenders.
Abstract
Research evidence generally shows inconsistency across studies, but two common features are heterogeneity of responses among each sex offender type and considerable overlap in response profiles between sex offenders and other subjects. Nonoffenders may display MMPI profiles that look either deviant or normal, and the same is true for sex offenders. Further, men who are accused of sexually offending but deny those charges may attempt to present themselves in a favorable light such that their MMPI profiles should be considered suspect. The authors conclude that there is no apparent way for the courts to tell from MMPI responses whether an individual is guilty or innocent of a sexual offense. The use of the MMPI to specifically study rapists and child molesters is discussed. 50 references

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