Question

What is the primary purpose of the Infrequency Psychopathology Scale [Fp] in psychological assessments?

A) To measure the frequency of common psychopathological symptoms in a population.

B) To assess the presence of rare or unusual symptoms that may indicate malingering or a non-genuine response.

C) To evaluate the severity of psychopathological symptoms in individuals diagnosed with mental disorders.

D) To identify psychopathological symptoms in children and adolescents.

Answer 1

The Infrequency Psychopathology Scale (Fp) within the MMPI is used to identify unusual response patterns, potentially indicating malingering or non-genuine answering.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary purpose of the Infrequency Psychopathology Scale (Fp) in psychological assessments is to assess the presence of rare or unusual symptoms that may indicate malingering or a non-genuine response. This scale is a part of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), a widely utilized personality test that helps create a clinical profile through a series of true/false questions.

The MMPI includes several other validity and clinical scales to assess various psychological traits and is used in various settings beyond clinical diagnosis, such as employment screening and counseling.