Skip to main content
Log in

Screening law enforcement cadets with the MMPI: An analysis of adverse impact

  • Published:
Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The MMPI was investigated for adverse impact against Blacks and Hispanics in a simulated employment selection procedure. Law enforcement academy cadets, who had received no preemployment psychological screening, took the MMPI on their first training day. The sample consisted of 184 males and 87 females with a mean age of 25.8 years. Twenty-five subjects were Black; 35 were Hispanic; and the remainder were white. Two clinical psychologists conducted a blind sort of the profiles, judging each as “acceptable” or “unacceptable” for employment as a law enforcement officer. Significant agreement was found for clinicians' judgments of suitablitity with no significant difference being found for either their overall acceptance rates or their acceptance rates for the different racial/ethnic groups. Also, there was no violation of the four-fifths rule. Analysis of variance found significant variability between groups on scales L and 6 (Pa) of the MMPI.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benner, A. (1982). Unpublished survey of California law enforcement agencies; psychological screening procedures.

  • Butcher, J.N. (1979). “Use of the MMPI in personnel selection.” In J.N. Butcher (Ed.),New Developments in the use of the MMPI (pp. 165–201). Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargrave, G.E. (1985). “Using the MMPI and CPI to screen law enforcement applicants: A study of reliability of clinicians' decisions”.Journal of Police Science and Administration, 13, 221–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargrave, G.E. &Berner, J.G.; (1984).Post Psychological Screening Manual. Sacramento, CA: Department of Justice (Peace Officer Standards and Training).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargrave, G.E. & Hiatt, D. (1986) Unpublished survey of racial/ethnic differences in psychological screening of law enforcement officers.

  • Hibbs, B.J., Kobos, J.D., &Gonzales, J. (1979). “Effects of ethnicity, sex, and age on MMPI profiles.”Psychological Reports,45, 591–597.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • King, H.F., Carroll, J.L., &Fuller, G.B. (1977). “Comparison of nonpsychiatric blacks and whites on the MMPI.Journal of Clinical Psychology,33, 725–728.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCreary, C. &Padilla, E. (1977). “MMPI differences among black, Mexican-American, and White male offenders”.Journal of Clinical Psychology,33, 171–177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGill, J.C. (1980). “MMPI score differences among Anglo, Black, and Mexican-American welfare recipients.Journal of Clinical Psychology,36, 147–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penk, W.E., Robinowitz, R., Roberts, W.R., Dolan, M.P. &Atkins, H.G. (1981). “MMPI differences of male Hispanic-American, Black, and White heroin addicts”.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,49, 488–490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plemons, G. (1977). “A comparison of MMPI scores of Anglo- and Mexican-American patients.Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology,45, 149–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, D.A. &Rosenblatt, A. (1980a). “Racial bias in the MMPI: A methodological review”.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,48(2), 263–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, D.A. andRosenblatt, A. (1980b). “Reply to Gynther and Green”.Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology,48(2), 273–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt, A.J. andPritchard, D.A. (1978). “Moderators of racial differences on the MMPI”.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,46(6), 1572–1573.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Civil Service Commiccsion, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Justice. “Uniform guidelines on employee selection Procedures”. (1978).Federal Register,43 (No. 166), 38295–38309.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hargrave, G.E. Screening law enforcement cadets with the MMPI: An analysis of adverse impact. JPCP 3, 14–20 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806513

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806513

Keywords

Navigation