Inconsistency Scale Research Articles

An Evaluation of the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A True Response Inconsistency (TRIN) Scales

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) True Response Inconsistency (TRIN) scales are measures of acquiescence and non-acquiescence included among the standard validity scales on these instruments. The goals of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of these scales in detecting varying degrees of acquiescence and non-acquiescence and to evaluate cutoff scores for clinical use. After the removal of invalid protocols from the MMPI-2 and MMPI-A normative samples, each normative sample was randomly divided in half. For each measure, one half of the normative sample served as a comparison group and the other half was modified with increasing degrees (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) of randomly inserted true or false responses. The results for a 9.1% base rate of acquiescence or non-acquiescence provide support for TRIN cutoff scores at or near those presented in the MMPI-A and MMPI-2 manuals.

Erratum: “Optical Variability of Narrow‐Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies” (ApJ, 609, 69 [2004

Due to various plotting errors, Figure 19 did not correctly represent the seasonal variability data presented in Tables 10 and 11. Incorrect binning by the plotting software and inconsistent horizontal and vertical scaling did not make a comparison between the various histograms possible. The histogram representing Table 10 presented the unscaled instead of the scaled NLS1 variability averages and also mistakenly included an object in the 0.01–0.02 bin that did not belong to the NLS1 sample. Here we give a corrected version of Figure 19with correct bin sizes and horizontal scaling. The erroneous data point has been removed, and the scaled NLS1 averages have been plotted. The errors in the original figure do not affect any conclusions made in this paper.

Detecting random, partially random, and nonrandom Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--Adolescent Protocols.

The ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A; J. N. Butcher et al., 1992) validity scales to detect random, partially random, and nonrandom MMPI-A protocols was investigated. Investigations included the Variable Response Inconsistency scale (VRIN), F, several potentially useful new F and VRIN subscales, and formulas F-sub-2 - F-sub-1 and F + F-sub-2 + |F - F-sub-2|. Protocols completed by 150 adolescents at a juvenile court setting, screened for randomness with a matched-pair Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI) or Jesness Inventory, were compared with 100 computer-generated, all-random protocols, and with 5 levels of partially random protocols. VRIN was the most effective scale in detecting all-random protocols; however, the optimum cutoff of >or= 75 failed to identify 1/3 of them. Using the new scales, a decision algorithm was described that correctly classified 94%-95% of protocols as interpretable, partially interpretable, or uninterpretable.

Individual differences in eyewitness memory and suggestibility: examining relations between acquiescence, dissociation and resistance to misleading information

The purpose of this study was to investigate relations between acquiescence, dissociation, and resistance to misleading information. A total of 111 participants took part in a series of staged events and then completed both the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). The participants returned to the lab 1 week later and were questioned about the details of their experiences during the previous session. As predicted, acquiescence as measured by the True Response Inconsistency Scale (TRIN scale) of the MMPI-2 was found to be significantly related to errors on misleading questions and repeated questions, but was not related to errors on non-suggestive specific and open questions. Scoring on the DES was found not to be related to acquiescence as measured by the TRIN scale, or errors on misleading, specific, or repeated questions. However, pathological dissociation was found to be related to both errors on misleading questions and indiscriminant variable responding as measured by the Variable Response Inconsistency Scale (VRIN scale) of the MMPI-2. These findings add to our developing understanding of factors that contribute to suggestibility in the interrogative context.

Relationships of personality disorders with MMPI-2 malingering, defensiveness, and inconsistent response scales among forensic examinees.

MMPI-2 validity scales were correlated with MCMI-II personality disorder scales to examine relationships between response styles and personality disorders in a sample of 84 criminal defendants. 14 MMPI-2 validity scales were significantly correlated with 13 personality disorders. All of the personality disorder scales were significantly correlated with at least one validity measure and 11 of 13 personality disorder scales were significantly correlated with two or more MMPI-2 validity scales. While a personality disorder diagnosis may have a general effect on validity scales, relationships theoretically consistent with a given personality disorder were also found. This means that response set appears to be a manifestation of personality, and as such, examiners should expect symptom amplification or minimization or inconsistent responses, based on an individual's personality. Subsequently, forensic examiners are encouraged to evaluate the relationships between MCMI-II personality disorders and MMPI-2 validity scales to avoid misjudging MMPI-2 profiles as invalid when they accurately reflect manifestations of personality.

A variable response inconsistency scale and a true response inconsistency scale for the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory.

A variable response inconsistency scale and a true response inconsistency scale for the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory.

Limitations and perspectives about scaling ozone impacts in trees

We review the need for scaling effects of ozone (O 3) from juvenile to mature forest trees, identify the knowledge presently available, and discuss limitations in scaling efforts. Recent findings on O 3/soil nutrient and O 3/CO 2 interactions from controlled experiments suggest consistent scaling patterns for physiological responses of individual leaves to whole-plant growth, carbon allocation, and water use efficiency of juvenile trees. These findings on juvenile trees are used to develop hypotheses that are relevant to scaling O 3 effects to mature trees, and these hypotheses are examined with respect to existing research on differences in response to O 3 between juvenile and mature trees. Scaling patterns of leaf-level physiological response to O 3 have not been consistent in previous comparisons between juvenile and mature trees. We review and synthesize current understanding of factors that may cause such inconsistent scaling patterns, including tree-size related changes in environment, stomatal conductance, O 3 uptake and exposure, carbon allocation to defense, repair, and compensation mechanisms, and leaf production phenology. These factors should be considered in efforts to scale O 3 responses during tree ontogeny. Free-air O 3 fumigation experiments of forest canopies allow direct assessments of O 3 impacts on physiological processes of mature trees, and provide the opportunity to test current hypotheses about ontogenetic variation in O 3 sensitivity by comparing O 3 responses across tree-internal scales and ontogeny.

Semantic Response Consistency and Protocol Validity in Structured Personality Assessment: The Case of the NEO-PI-R

In this study we tested the hypothesis that groups of NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992a) protocols identified as potentially invalid by an inconsistency scale (INC; Schinka, Kinder, & Kremer, 1997) would show reduced reliability and validity according to a series of psychometric tests. Data were obtained from 2 undergraduate student samples, a self-report group (n = 132) who provided NEO-PI-R self-ratings on 2 occasions separated by a 7- to 14-day interval and an informant group (n = 109) who provided ratings of well-known friends or relatives on 2 occasions separated by a 6 month interval. INC scores from the Time 1 protocols were used to divide these samples into low, moderate, and elevated inconsistency groups. In both samples, these 3 groups showed equivalent levels of reliability and validity as measured by: contingency coefficients for the 20 INC item responses across occasions; test-retest intraclass correlations of NEO-PI-R domain scores; convergent correlations with Goldberg's (1992) Bipolar Adjective Scale scores; and discriminant correlations between the 5 NEO-PI-R domain scores. The similarity of results across self-report and informant assessment contexts provides additional evidence that semantic consistency approaches to assessing protocol validity may overestimate the prevalence of random or careless response behavior in standard administration conditions. Several theories are discussed that accommodate the existence of valid inconsistency in structured personality assessment.

Efficacy of the Three Randomness Validity Scales for the Jesness Inventory

Efficacies of the three randomness validity scales for the Jesness Inventory were investigated: the Jesness Variable Response Inconsistency scale (J-VRIN), the Variable Response scale (VR), and the Randomness scale (RD). Effectiveness was assessed by comparing the protocols of 93 male and 45 female delinquents ages 14 to 18 years screened for probable randomness, with a matched-pair MMPI-Adolescent with 500 computer-generated all- and half-random protocols. With the all-random set, for specificities of .90 or higher, scales showed sensitivities as high as .95 (VR), .90 (J-VRIN), and .14 (RD). With the half-random protocol, set sensitivities were .74 (VR), .70 (J-VRIN), and .07 (RD). Predictive power and overall effectiveness are reported for base rates of .20, .10, .067, and .05.

Item Reversals and Response Validity in the Job Diagnostic Survey

Experts disagree on whether questionnaires should have items worded in both positive and negative directions or items all worded in the same direction. This study examined this controversy in a sample of 921 employees of a state agency who completed two versions of a widely used questionnaire, Hackman and Oldham's Job Diagnostic Survey. One version had both positively and negatively worded items, and the other version had only positively worded items. Subsamples of respondents high and low on inconsistency and inaccuracy scales (response validity scales developed by the author) were studied to determine whether invalid responding might account for problems with item wording. Correlations between job characteristics (skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback) and work outcomes (general job satisfaction, internal motivation, and growth satisfaction) were compared between subsamples using the Fisher r to z transformation. Out of 18 comparisons, only 3 correlations were significantly different for the subsamples of respondents. The conclusion was that results were similar regardless of item wording and regardless of invalid responding. However, further research may be warranted to assess whether inflated correlations for respondents high on the inaccuracy scale suggests that they are prone to common method variance.

A design approach to the multi-objective facility layout problem

A new multi-objective heuristic algorithm for resolving the facility layout problem is presented in this paper. It incorporates qualitative and quantitative objectives and resolves the problem of inconsistent scales and different measurement units. We consider suboptimal solutions since optimal methods are computationally unfeasible to large layout problems. In this paper, we develop the dominant index (DI) and incorporate it in our heuristic algorithm to guarantee the quality of proposed solutions. Moreover, a new measure of solution quality, dominant probability ( D p), is offered to determine the probability that one layout is better than the others. Computational results show that our proposed heuristic algorithm is an efficient method for obtaining good-quality solutions.

A Variable Response Inconsistency Scale and a True Response Inconsistency Scale for the Jesness Inventory.

Inconsistent item pair Variable Response Inconsistency (J-VRIN) and True Response Inconsistency (J-TRIN) scales were developed for the Jesness Inventory using 250 male and 250 female delinquents, ages 14-18, to detect the random and acquiescent sets. J-VRIN utility was assessed by comparing protocols of 262 male delinquents, ages 14-18, screened for probable randomness with matched-pair Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent, with 500 all and part random computer-generated protocols. J-TRIN utility was assessed by comparing these protocols with 500 simulated acquiescent and nonacquiescent protocols. Specificities above .90 showed sensitivities up to .89 for J-VRIN and .85 and .62 for J-TRIN. Predictive power and overall effectiveness are reported for base rates of.20, .10, .067, and .05. Scales' relations to gender, race, age, and verbal fluency were investigated using an overlapping sample of 1,085 male and 356 female delinquents. Verbal fluency was the most salient.

A Variable Response Inconsistency Scale and a True Response Inconsistency Scale for the Jesness Inventory.

A Variable Response Inconsistency Scale and a True Response Inconsistency Scale for the Jesness Inventory.

Stability and Change in Personality Assessment: The Revised NEO Personality Inventory in the Year 2000

The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) consists of 30 facet scales that define the broad domains of the Five-Factor Model of personality. No major revisions of the basic model are anticipated in the near future. Despite their popularity, social desirability and inconsistency scales will not be added to the NEO-PI-R because their validity and utility have not yet been demonstrated. Among possible changes are, minor modifications in wording and more extensive adaptations for adolescents and for populations with low reading levels. Contextualized (eg., work-related) versions of the instrument will be further explored. Many changes are more easily implemented on the computer than the print version of the instrument.

Detection of Random Responding in MMPI-2 Protocols

The present report represents a replication and extension of the Berry et al. (1991) study examining the utility of the standard second edition of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) validity indices for detecting random responding. Specifically, relative to Berry et al., this study employs methodological improvements and investigates recently proposed alternative indices for detecting random responding. Another improvement includes the use of Bayesian statistics, including positive predictive power, negative predictive power, and hit rates, to select various cutting scores across three base rates of random responding. Results suggested that all validity indices studied differed significantly between random and valid protocols, although certain indices provided for more optimal hit rates in terms of classification. It is concluded that the alternative index, Variable Response Inconsistency ( VRIN) scale plus the Infrequency ( F) scale minus the Infrequency Back ( FB) scale ( VRIN + | F - FB|) provided for the highest hit rate across all examined base rates of random responding. However, VRIN also provided for highly accurate classification rates and has specific advantages including the scale's repeated validation in the literature, its ease of use, and empirical findings suggesting that the scale is insensitive to overreporting.

Parental Attitudes and Students' Misbehavior in the Intermediate School in Kuwait

This study investigates the differences between behaving and misbehaving students in their perception of parents' attitudes. The Parental Attitude Scale (PAS: Sobhi, 1975) was administered to 90 behaving and misbehaving Kuwaiti intermediate school students, of whom 40 were boys and 50 were girls. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between misbehaving and behaving boys in their perception of parents' attitudes. Misbehaving girls in comparison with behaving girls perceived their fathers' attitudes to be higher in negligence and inconsistency, while they perceived their mothers to be higher in negligence, psychological punishment, inconsistency and discrimination attitude scales. These differences were significant at the .01 level. Results are discussed in the light of theoretical and environmental considerations.

Fire Severity, Changing Scales, and How Things Hang Together

The paper describes attributes of space, time, and process in terms of their relations to wildland fire. It then presents a generic framework, based on eight interrelated scale classes for space, time, and process. The effects of changing scales are discussed in a wildland fire context. A five-layered (society, management, systems, fire, and weather), three-dimensional structure for wildland fire is presented. The paper also discusses inefficiencies and inadequacies inherent in systems with inconsistent scales. It then focuses on the effects of scale differences between fire behavior and fire danger and on an acceptable scale range suggested by the natural evolution of these two systems. The paper then defines fire severity and proposes two types of severity models — situation and extended. Finally, it discusses fundamental differences between situational and extended severity and appropriate space, time, and process attributes for both types of severity models.

Inconsistent response patterns and the prediction of child maltreatment

Inconsistent response patterns have been used with other measures to screen for child maltreatment. To date the inconsistency (IC) scale, a validity scale on the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory, has not been used as a screening criterion for physical child abuse. The present study examined the responses of 89 physical child abusers and 108 comparison subjects to determine if the CAP Inventory IC scale has any utility in the screening for physical child abuse. While results indicated the CAP Inventory IC scale scores were significantly higher for the physical child abuse group, a series of discriminant analyses indicated that the IC scale did not account for any meaningful variance after variance related to child abuse factors was removed. Further, the results indicated that dependence on the IC scale alone for physical child abuse screening purposes could be expected to produce excessive false positive and false negative classifications.

Assortative mating for IQ and personality due to propinquity and personal preference.

The role of personal preference as an active process in mate selection is contrasted with the more passive results of limitations of available mates due to social, educational, and geographical propinquity. The role of personal preference estimated after removing the effects of variables representing propinquity was still significant for IQ and Eysenck's extraversion-introversion and inconsistency (lie) scales, even though small.

An inconsistency scale for the child abuse potential inventory.

Three studies describe the development and initial validation of an inconsistency scale for the Child Abuse Potential Inventory. Study 1 ( N = 100) describes the construction of an inconsistency scale and provides preliminary norm values. Study 2 ( N = 133) provides replication of the results reported in Study 1, while Study 3 ( N = 32) provides data on construct validity indicating the inconsistency scale can discriminate between individuals instructed to respond honestly and those instructed to respond in an inconsistent, incongruous manner.