MCMI-II predictors of judgmental tendencies as measured by the first impression interaction procedure

The present study investigates the validity of the MCMI-II personality disorder scales to predict judgmental tendencies as measured by ([King and Pate, in press]. A total of 137 women and 48 men completed two separate 25-min uncontrolled interaction sessions as specified by the FIIP. Scores on the 14-item FIIP rating form were then combined to quantify first impression central tendency (Judgment Index), variability (Judgment Variability Index), and the degree to which participants judged others more harshly than self (Judgment Ratio). Judgmental tendencies as measured by the FIIP were associated with DSM-IV cluster B (“dramatic, emotional, or erratic”) features among women and cluster A (“odd or eccentric”) qualities among men. These gender by personality interactions were particularly evident for the histrionic and narcissistic scales. Personality features such as social alienation and insecurity provided the best predictors of judgmental tendencies among men, while harsh FIIP judgment ratings were more common among self-confident women who sought attention and affirmation from others. It was speculated that initial social appraisals might be differentially coarsened by personality traits of insecurity in men and grandiosity in women.