Effects of Computerized Administration on Scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of administer ing a personality inventory by computer. Both the results of the initial study and a replication suggest that significant differences exist between paper-pen cil and computer administrations of the MMPI on the cannot say (?) scale and scale 6 (Paranoia). However, there appears to be no set of items that would account for these scale differences. Dif ferences on the ? scale were explained in terms of the different methods used to omit items in each condition. Differences on scale 6 were small, and the clinical significance of that difference needs to be investigated further. Implications for future re search on computer-administered personality in struments are discussed.