The validity of the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Symptom Validity Scale (FBS/FBS-r) is established: reply to Nichols (2017)

Abstract

We reply to Nichols’ (2017) critique of our commentary on the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF Symptom Validity Scale (FBS/FBS-r) as a measure of symptom exaggeration versus a measure of litigation response syndrome (LRS). Nichols claims that we misrepresented the thrust of the original paper he co-authored with Gass; namely, that they did not represent that the FBS/FBS-r were measures of LRS but rather, intended to convey that the FBS/RBS-r were indeterminate as to whether the scales measured LRS or measured symptom exaggeration. Our original commentary offered statistical support from published literature that (1) FBS/FBS-r were associated with performance validity test (PVT) failure, establishing the scales as measures of symptom exaggeration, and (2) persons in litigation who passed PVTs did not produce clinically significant elevations on the scales, contradicting that FBS/FBS-r were measures of LRS. In the present commentary, we draw a distinction between the psychometric data we present supporting the validity of FBS/FBS-r, and the conceptual, non-statistical arguments presented by Nichols, who does not refute our original empirically based conclusions.

Keywords:

• FBS/FBS-r
• symptom exaggeration
• malingering
• litigation response syndrome