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We examined the utility of the validity scales on the recently released Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2 RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008) to detect overreported psychopathology. This set of validity scales includes a newly developed scale and revised versions of the original MMPI-2 validity scales. We used an analogue, experimental simulation in which MMPI-2 RF responses (derived from archived MMPI-2 protocols) of undergraduate students instructed to overreport psychopathology (in either a coached or noncoached condition) were compared with those of psychiatric inpatients who completed the MMPI-2 under standardized instructions. The MMPI-2 RF validity scale Infrequent Psychopathology Responses best differentiated the simulation groups from the sample of patients, regardless of experimental condition. No other validity scale added consistent incremental predictive utility to Infrequent Psychopathology Responses in distinguishing the simulation groups from the sample of patients. Classification accuracy statistics confirmed the recommended cut scores in the MMPI-2 RF manual (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008).

Accurate assessment of personality and psychopathology on multiscale inventories (e.g., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory [MMPI; Hathaway & McKinley, 1940] and its revised version, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 [MMPI-2; Butcher et al., 2001]) relies on the test taker's capacity, willingness, and motivation to respond to the test items in a straightforward manner. In many assessment contexts and situations, however, some individuals may have an incentive to exaggerate or even fabricate their psychological problems and psychiatric symptoms. Such a response style is a particular concern in civil and criminal forensic contexts in which test takers may be motivated to feign the severity or presence of psychopathology. For instance, individuals who have applied for financial compensation on the basis of a disability related to a mental disorder due to a workplace accident/trauma or other types of civil personal injury typically have a monetary incentive to appear mentally disordered. Similarly, in the criminal forensic context, those charged with a criminal offense or offenses may be highly motivated to appear mentally...