Is the Truth Visible? Study Along the L Scale

Abstract

This study addresses the problem of ”faking bad“ (malingering) of abnormal types (non paranoid schizophrenia, paranoid schizophrenia, and psychopathy) when answering the EPQ-R-S personality questionnaire and clinical scales. We tested 180 students under two conditions: ”fake bad“ and ”sincerity“. We demonstrated that although answers to EPQ-R-S may be deliberately and specifically modified, this will be identified in the questionnaire's scales scoring profile and the reaction times. When ”faking“, P scores were elevated and the results of the other dimensions were also ”negatively“ irregular. However their L scores were very low. This low L score should be interpreted as a warning sign of an attempt to present oneself in a negative light.