Detection of Minimization of Psychopathology on the Rorschach in Cleric and Noncleric Alleged Sex Offenders

Abstract

The assessment of response-bias is critical in forensic psychological evaluations of alleged sex offenders because sex offenders frequently minimize psychopathology or personal limitations. This study tested predictions based on prior research that minimization on the Rorschach would be reflected by higher P, D, A, Lambda, and PER, and lower R, Blends, and Zf. We divided a sample of cleric and noncleric alleged sex offenders according to (a) whether they showed minimization on the MMPI, and (b) whether they admitted to their charges. We then compared these groups on the purported Rorschach validity indices. Our results do not support the use of any of these Rorschach scores in the assessment of minimization. We recommend that in forensic psychological evaluations, the Rorschach should not be used to assess defensiveness and is best used in combination with other psychometric instruments more sensitive to response-bias.