Examined clinical usefulness of the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) diagnostic interview in evaluations of criminal responsibility. Findings, based on 78 evaluations from a forensic clinic, indicated that SADS successfully differentiated between sane and insane evaluatees. Differences were primarily in severity of symptoms…

Studied exhibitionistic and nonexhibitionistic criminal offenses as they relate to severity of psychopathology as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in 84 exhibitionists. An increase in psychopathology was not associated with an increase in chronicity of exhibitionistic activity in exhibitionists. (JAC)

Examined differences between offenders (N=240) by referral source, completion of referral, and recommendation for further services. The most substantial relationship was between source and outcome of referral, with probationers referred by probation officers more likely to be recommended for mental health services. (JAC)

Investigated racial differences in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory by comparing samples of Black and White men charged with murder (N=160). Results indicated Black murderers tend to deny symptoms of pathology and are more socially outgoing. The confounding effects of intelligence suggested separate Black and White norms are…

Tested the discrimination of the MMPI Beall-Panton escape index by applying it to a sample of minimum security incarcerated female felons. The index did not differentiate significantly between escapees and nonescapees. Differentiation between the groups did occur when MMPI clinical and validity scales were considered separately. (Author)

Investigated the use of the Revised Beta for predicting Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) scores of low functioning minority group criminal offenders (N=90). Results showed that offenders scored significantly lower on the Beta than on the WAIS-R. (LLL)

Gathered MMPI and demographic data on six groups, each of 25 men who required psychological pretrial assessment. The groups differed according to offense type. The remand's age on admission and whether he had been in corrections before the current offense were the best discriminators among the groups. (Author)

Prior theory and research have suggested that self-disclosure may have a curvilinear relationship with psychological disturbance. The present study investigated this hypothesis. Results offer partial support for the hypothesis and add substantially to the external validity of prior research. (Author)

Tested the validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) with accused murderers (N=96) undergoing pre-trial evaluations. Results indicated four predictors of MMPI elevated scores: low intelligence, history of drug abuse, suspiciousness observed on the ward, and the fact that the accused was a stranger to the victim. (LLL)

Explores the hypothesis that in simulated situations, mock judges (N=644) will be influenced by a defendant's previous mental hospitalization history. Results confirmed that dispositions of persons with a mental health history tended to be more restrictive and to involve mandatory health treatment. (JAC)

Attempted to identify differences between human figure drawings of adult and juvenile child molesters and adult and juvenile control groups, based on ratings obtained for psychodiagnostic signs. Results revealed, for the molesters, factors of overall quality with a component of gender identity confusion, figure-size only, fingers only, and hidden…

Compared MMPI profiles and two-point code types of criminal defendants (N=50) pleading a defense of "not responsible due to mental disease or defect." A sign test was computed, treating the clinical scales as matched pairs, and a significant difference was found; the nonresponsible group profile was more elevated. (Author)

Identified five types of violent criminals (N=110) using cluster analysis of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scores, and compared them on 24 sociological and behavioral variables. Results showed differences on 16 items including family history, drug and alcohol use, events preceding the crime, and relationship between offender and…

Investigated the utility of the Revised Beta as a screening device for low-functioning minority-group criminal offenders. Mean scores for this sample were correlated only mildly. This finding contradicts prior research and creates the need for caution in using the Beta as a screening device with this population. (Author)

Examines the differences between first and multiple criminal offenders as measured by personality testing. Uses one regular scale of the MMPI and five additional scales determined to be useful in correctional classification and diagnostic services. (Author/RK)