Limitations of empirical approaches in psychological assessment with MMPI-2

Deconstructing an Empirical Approach

There are a number of eminent strengths about utilizing an empirical approach as the underlying structure of a particular assessment. However, it also leads to some problems and points of oversimplification in assessments which may very well prove counterproductive. These issues can actually exacerbate the efficacy of the results of assessments when applying them to others, such as if one were to apply the results of the MMPI-2 to diagnoses related to DSM-IV-TR/DSM-5 measures.

The fundamental strength of utilizing such an approach is that it does indicate a direct correlation between observable phenomenon (or at least that which is empirical), and the psychological principle that the researcher is attempting to study. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the sort of correlations it demonstrates functions at a relatively high level. There is certainly a fair amount of utility researchers can gain from such an approach. It is valuable when sifting through numerous factors and large amounts of data to help a researcher develop a premise, or to even refine one. It helps researchers to understand the basic points of commonality between different phenomena and the tenet to which they are trying to link it. Again, when attempting such an undertaking with copious data quantities or in aspects of research that one has no true premise for, such an approach is fairly pragmatic. It is perhaps less so in fields in which exactitude and precision are required, such as "in a forensic setting" (Ben-Porath and Tellegen, 2008, p. 119).

However, the point of difficulty in utilizing this approach arises when one attempts to explicate the relationships between the external criteria and the psychological concept to which it appears linked. In fact, it may result in researchers actually inferring or even assuming what that relationship is. This fact stems from the reality that the sort of understanding as to how the criteria pertains to a psychological tenet is secondary to the empirical evidence; in some instances, that understanding is irrelevant to this methodology. At some point, it will behoove researchers to understand -- at a rudimentary or even granular level -- just how, exactly, the underlying constructs of the criteria produce or simply pertain to the notion that one is studying. In this regard, the empirical approach is largely insufficient. It can perhaps yield some degree of insight into such a matter. Nonetheless, it is not focused on this aspect of research which is one of the core points of elucidation of erudition -- particularly as it applies to the field of psychology. The MMPI's application to "differential diagnosis" is questionable due to these facts (Senior and Douglas, 2001, p. 203). This problem, then, is either non-existent or marginalized if one chooses a different approach to gleaning "the underlying constructs" (Hornick et al., 2008, p. 489) of an assessment such as the MMPI-2.