Codetype-Based Interpretation of the MMPI–2 in an Outpatient Psychotherapy Sample

Abstract

In an evaluation of the codetype-based interpretation of the MMPI–2, 48 doctoral student psychotherapists rated their clients’ (N = 120) standardized interpretations as more accurate when based on the profile's codetype, in comparison with ratings for interpretations based on alternate codetypes. Effect sizes ranged from nonsignificant to large, depending on the degree of proximity between the profile's codetype and the alternate codetype. There was weak evidence to suggest that well-defined profiles yielded more accurate interpretations than undefined profiles. It appears that codetype-based interpretation of the MMPI–2 is generally valid, but there might be little difference in the accuracy of interpretations based on nearby codetypes.