WHEN DOES A DIFFERENCE MAKE A DIFFERENCE - MMPI SCORES AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS

The group difference MMPI literature relevant to African‐Americans was reexamined for major methodological issues including the criteria used for ethnic/racial group membership and socioeconomic status. These issues are of sufficient magnitude to question the traditional scientific methods used in MMPI research and the current interpretations of African‐American MMPI profiles. This cultural variance can be identified in item content and consistent scale elevations for African‐American samples. The magnitude of cultural variance has been found to vary across samples. Recent empirical data indicate that such variance may be appreciable and significant for African‐Americans who are in process of realizing a distinct cultural identity as evidenced by racial consciousness and moderator variables. Copyright © 1991 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company