Chapter 11 - Culture and Methodology in Personality Assessment

Abstract

Evidence-based bias reduction in low-inference and high-inference personality assessment instruments is now consensually recognized. Bias in standard psychological tests such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2), Rorschach (RCS), and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) has been dramatically reduced. MMPI-2 deficiencies in items, norms, flawed psychometric properties, and construct meanings have been minimized in a restructured MMPI-2-RF. The Rorschach Comprehensive System (RCS) recently incorporated revised diagnostic constructs and a theoretical model of affect contributing to therapeutic feedback. In addition, the new Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) is an evidence-based internationally focused and culturally relevant system using externally accessed behavioral criteria. The TAT now has a reference compendium of objective scores representing a number of systems for both high-inference and low-inference interpretation of this test. The Tell-Me-A-Story test (TEMAS) provides scores and interpretations for cross-cultural and multicultural groups.