NCJ Number
105065
Journal
Security Management Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 79-87
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A study was conducted to determine whether three standardized psychological screening measures could provide an alternative to the polygraph for use in employee screening.
Abstract
Participants were 86 individuals applying for a security officer position with a large security firm. All applicants completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI), the Stanton Survey Phase II (SS), and a polygraph examination. The IPI showed significant relationships with polygraph results on five scales: Drugs, Job Difficulties, Treatment Programs, Trouble with the Law, and Personal Integrity. Two MMPI scales, Psychopathic Deviance and Paranoia, showed significant correlations with the polygraph driving record scale. No significant correlations were found between SS and polygraph scales. The strong relationships on the psychological screening measures indicate that the MMPI and the IPI are measuring personality traits that are related to the behavioral variables measured by the polygraph. Thus, they can provide a useful supplement to polygraph screening and may provide an alternative where the polygraph is financially unfeasible or legally banned. 6 exhibits and footnotes.