THE MAUDSLEY PERSONALITY INVENTORY USED WITH PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS

Abstract

The Maudsley Personality Inventory was given to an unselected group of psychiatric inpatients. All diagnostic groups were differentiated from normals on the Neuroticism scale but neither this nor the Extraversion scale distinguished between diagnostic groups. Contrary to Eysenck's claim, hysterics and dysthymics were not distinguished on the Extraversion scale. The negative correlation between Extraversion and Neuroticism in neurotic groups and the use of the short form of the scales are discussed. Because Eysenck's original report is not readily available, some general comments are offered about the methods used to devise and standardize the test. The results suggest that the test is unlikely to be of value in the individual case.