The relation of the MMPI-2 Pd Harris-Lingoes subscales to psychopathy, psychopathy facets, and antisocial behavior: implications for clinical practice.

Little is known concerning the correlates of the MMPI-2 Psychopathic deviate (Pd) Harris-Lingoes subscales. In four studies with undergraduates, Pd2 (Authority Problems) emerged as the most consistent marker of psychopathy and antisocial behavior and was the only Pd subscale to assess the callousness traditionally associated with psychopathy. Pd3 (Social Imperturbability) correlated highly with social potency and was the only Pd subscale to consistently assess low anxiety proneness. Pd1, Pd4, and Pd5 (Familial Discord, Social Alienation, and Self-Alienation, respectively) correlated highly with externalization of blame but exhibited few differential correlates. Pd2 exhibited statistically significant levels of incremental validity above and beyond all other Pd subscales in the prediction of global psychopathy and antisocial behavior. These findings indicate that several Pd subscales assess markedly different facets of psychopathy and suggest that consideration of different Pd subscale elevations may hold important implications for clinical practice and assessment.