MMPI response sets among adolescents: An evaluation of the limitations of the subtle-obvious susbscales

Examined the relative efficacy of the Wiener-Harmon subtle–obvious subscales in identifying fake-bad and fake-good response sets among adolescents. 402 adolescents (aged 12–18 yrs) composed the following 4 assessment groups: (1) nonpatient adolescents; (2) psychiatric inpatients; (3) nonpatients instructed to fake bad; and (4) psychiatric inpatients instructed to fake good. The classification accuracy rates for identification of response sets for the subtle–obvious subscales were compared with findings obtained through the use of the traditional validity scales. The subtle–obvious subscales did not contribute to the detection of response sets beyond levels obtainable through the use of the standard validity scales, L, F, and K. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)