This paper describes how, in the process of evaluating referrals, the psychiatrist and his agents develop a conception of normal situations and those too difficult to endure. Because of their decision-making authority, they enforce a definition of the reality of the combat experience for those forced to encounter it. (Author/DB)

Reprints from: J.W. Giebink, Psycho-Educational Clinic, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706.

Compared three instruments assessing depression in alcoholics: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Depression scale (MMPI D), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The number of subjects who were diagnosed as "depressed" varied considerably according to the…

Investigated the possible use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-168 as a screening instrument for identifying individuals (N=27) with borderline personality disorders. Results demonstrated that the MMPI-168 response pattern of borderline patients was clearly distinguishable from the great majority of college graduates. (WAS)

Attempted to cross-validate the Verbal Concept Attainment Test as a measure of potential value in neuropsychological assessment and to validate a booklet form of this test. Data provided evidence of the stability of this test across samples and the booklet form appeared to be an equally valid measure. (WAS)

Profiled adult first offender Texas shoplifters (N=94). Results indicated that the modal shoplifter is female, Hispanic, and has a poor self-concept. Males tend to act more impulsively than females in shoplifting style, and shoplifters tend to be anxious, depressed, and self-doubting. (WAS)

The use of the diagnosis "borderline" was evaluated with 16 children (6 to 13 years old) who were referred for comprehensive evaluation. None met DSM III criteria for borderline personality disorder. The borderline label had a negative impact on some children and was not helpful for treatment planning or disposition. (Author/SEW)

Sixty-three special education teachers in Ohio were surveyed to describe reports (received from school psychologists) on the basis of types of information provided and to rate the usefulness of the reports. Areas for self-assessment and development by psychologists to improve their report-writing are suggested. (Author/CM)

Tested diagnostic classifications of child psychopathology produced by a computerized technique known as multidimensional actuarial classification (MAC), against the criterion of expert psychological opinion. Experts' agreement with MAC was significant for all classification areas, as was MAC's agreement with the experts held as a conjoint…

Assessed and compared the interpretive accuracy of the standard Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and two MMPI short forms with a sample of geriatric psychiatric inpatients. Psychiatric teams evaluated the accuracy of the interpretation. Standard form interpretations were rated significantly greater than the interpretations…

Showed that Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scores for adolescent and adult victims of rheumatic fever (N=162) were generally lower than Mayo Clinic norms. Significant age effects confirm findings that adolescents score higher on the MMPI. Found patients without carditis scored higher than carditis patients, contrary to…

Three studies examined change dimensions in self-reported anxiety among college students. Studies 1 and 2 (N=86, N=91) focused on interindividual change patterns as obtained in state- and trait-anxiety scales respectively. Study 3 (N=2) dealt with intraindividual change patterns. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory A-Scale was used in all three…

Contains four articles focusing on the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and Themes Concerning Blacks (TCB). Compared use of the TAT and TCB with Black children. Used the TCB and oral history to identify values of older Black adults. Compared TCB and TAT response characteristics in Black males and females. (RC)