Multiphasic Personality Test

Masculine Identity measures how rigidly a person conforms to stereotypical masculine gender roles.

Feminine Identity measures how rigidly a person conforms to stereotypical feminine gender roles.

Hypochondriasis measures a wide variety of vague and nonspecific complaints about bodily functioning that are likely to persist in the face of repeated medical tests that come out negative. Many complaints related to hypochondriasis pertain to the abdomen and back, as well as to gastrointestinal difficulties.

Depression measures clinical depression, which is characterized by poor morale, lack of hope in the future, and a general dissatisfaction with life. This scale also taps into Depressive Personality Disorder, which is a psychiatric diagnosis that denotes a personality structure with persistent depressive features.

Hysteria measures a mélange of traits related to the classic definition of hysteria, such as poor physical health, shyness, cynicism, headaches, and general neuroticism.

Psychopathic Deviate measures general social maladjustment, lack of ethics or morality, and the absence of strongly pleasant experiences. The scale also taps into complaints about other people, life in general, self-alienation, social alienation, and boredom.

Paranoia measures interpersonal sensitivity, moral self-righteousness and suspiciousness, as well as the tendency to be doubtful of others’ loyalty, and the tendency to persistently bear grudges. At higher levels, paranoia may also be accompanied by delusional thoughts and perceptions.

Psychasthenia measures a person’s inability to resist specific actions or thoughts, regardless of their maladaptive nature. This scale also taps into abnormal fears, self-criticisms, and guilt feelings. Psychasthenia may be thought of as broadly synonymous with what we now call Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Schizophrenia measures bizarre thoughts, peculiar perceptions, social alienation, poor relationships, difficulties with concentration and controlling one’s impulses, as well as a lack of normal interests and repeated disturbing thoughts, along with possible sexual difficulties.

Hypomania measures one’s degree of excitability as well as propensity to experience elated but unstable moods, the “flight of ideas,” and behavioral overactivity accompanied by grandiosity, irritability, and egocentricity.

Social Introversion measures the sensation of being uncomfortable in social interactions, along with the tendency to withdraw from others whenever possible. High scorers may have limited social skills, or they may simply prefer to be alone or confide only in a small group of friends.