The MMPI Lie (L) Scale - Cross-Examining Psych Doctors, Tip #71

The major test in every medical-legal psychological evaluation test battery is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).  There are several different versions of the MMPI dating back to over 70 years ago.  The most frequently used version is the MMPI-2, which was published in 1989.  The MMPI-2, and all other versions of that test, contains validity scales and clinical scales.  Every validity and clinical scale performance on the MMPI-2 is described with a T-Score.  All T-Scores on the validity scales and the clinical scales on the MMPI-2 have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10.  In this regard, it should be noted that it is well known and universally accepted that T-Scores of 65 or larger are clinically significant or interpretable.  In this regard, the Lie (L) Scale is one of the validity scales of the MMPI.  Scores 65 or higher on the Lie Scale are characteristic of individuals who are not being honest and straightforward during the examination’s procedures.