PSY 753.03 PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT III: MMPI-2

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

SPRING 2001

Instructor's Information:

        Dr. Jose M. Arcaya, Ph.D.

        Office: 2133 North Mall

        Phone: (212) 237-8786

        Email: jarcaya@erols.com

        Office Hours: Tues 8:25-9:25 PM, Thurs 4:00-5:00PM  

Course Syllabus:

Note on Phone Calls: While I welcome phone calls to discuss academic problems, questions about assignments, and other matters of substance, I would appreciate if you did not call me regarding absences, tardiness, or other matters which could be dealt with before or after the following class period. Also please do not call me about make-up exams, late papers, or incompletes. These matters can be handled during class time or, if not, please refer to the relevant sections below. Indeed, I prefer if you contact me through my email where I can read your questions with leisure and respond at length to your inquiries.

Texts:

Groth-Marnat, G. (1999). Handbook of psychological assessment,3^rd Ed.  New York: Wiley

Graham, John. R. (2000). MMPI-2:Assessing personality and psychopathology (3^rd Ed.). New York: Oxford

MMPI-2 mail-in scoring sheet (booklet provided) = $15.00 (available from instructor)

MCMI-III scoring sheet (booklet provided) = $15.00 (available from instructor)

Aim of course: To teach the theory and use of the MMPI, MMPI-2, MMPI-A. MCMI-III within standard clinical settings as well as forensic situations.

Grading:

1) Two, closed book, multiple-choice examination (30% each)

2)    One MMPI-2 assessement write-up on an individual NOT discusses or presented in class (30%); this report should follow the format indicated in chapter 7, pg 664 (Psychological Clinic format); however, you should provide numerical justification for your clinical remarks, using MMPI-2 T scores.  Consult Butcher chapter 8 for other writing considerations.  Also some brief writing guidelines:

a)    double space paper

b)    use standard English (no slang)

c)    check over spelling

d)    no incomplete sentences

e)    avoid passive voice

f)    be selective and organized in what you choose to report and dwell upon (no shot-gun type reports; see Marnat)

3)    Two reaction papers upon receiving test results of MMPI-2 and MCMI-III (5% each).  The second paper should compare and contrast results obtained on the MMPI with those gotten on the MCMI.

Course Outline:

G= Graham  Book

M= Groth-Marnat                                                             Chapters

1/30 History, uses, and scoring of MMPI;                                    G=1, 2

2/6 In-class assessment; Validity Scales;                                   G=3    

2/13 No class

2/20 Clinical Scales;                                                       G=4

2/27 Profile Interpretation;G=5

3/6 Content Interpretation;                                                 G=6, 7, in-class scoring

3/13 Reaction paper due;                                                    G=8, M=6, in-class presentation

3/20 EXAM #1. In-class assessment using MCMI-III, In-class scoring

3/27 Special groups;                                                         G=9

4/3. MMPI in court; TBA, In-class presentation

4/10 Spring Break

4/17 General MMPI Interpretation;Handout

4/24 MCMI-III;                                                               M=7

5/1 MCMI-III (cont);                                                         M=7 

5/8 MCMI-III (cont),In-class presentation

5/15 Report Writing;                                                      M=14, MMPI-2  Clinical Assessment due

Exam #2:       Finals week 5/22    6:20-8:20PM