An MMPI-2 Study: PERSONALITY TRAITS of North AMERICAN Ayahuasca Drinkers
By
Kirby Surprise
A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the
California Institute of Integral Studies
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
in Clinical Psychology
San Francisco, California
2006
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
I certify that I have read AN MMPI-2 STUDY: PERSONALITY TRAITS OF NORTH AMERICAN AYAHUASCA DRINKERS, by Kirby Surprise, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria for approving a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
______
Esther Nzewi, Ph.D., Chair
Faculty, CIIS, Clinical Psychology
______
Allan Combs, Ph.D., Reviewer
© Kirby Surprise 2006
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Kirby Surprise
California Institute of Integral Studies, 2006
Esther Nzewi, Ph.D., Committee Chair
an MMPI-2 Study: PERSONALITY TRAITS of North AMERICAN Ayahuasca Drinkers
ABSTRACT
Thirty-four frequent North American drinkers of ayahuasca were administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2). Patterns of elevation above T=55 were found in both female and male groups for scales Hy. (Hysteria), RC4 (Antisocial Behavior), RC8. (Aberrant Experiences) BIZ (Bizarre mentation), R (Repression), O-H. (Overcontrolled Hostility), AAS (Addiction Admission) and PSYC. (Psychoticism). Personality descriptors from the MMPI-2 produced a code type of 5-6-3. This indicates personalities that may be overly sensitive, guarded or distrustful, possible angry or resentful. It implies some degree of somatic complaints, denial, and immaturity, self-centeredness, and that the personality may be demanding, suggestible, and prone to a need for affiliation. The MMPI personality description was within normal limits of personality. The responses of the ayahuasca drinkers were not found to have a high correlation with the scores of drug and alcohol abusers.
A high use and a low use group comparison was done based on number of uses above or below the mean. In the high ingestion group there was a decrease in the mean T score on scales 1 Hy (Hysteria), 7 Pt. (Psychasthenia), 8 Sc (Schizophrenia), 9 Ma (Hypomania), Si (Social Introversion), MDS (Marital Distress), and AAS (Addiction Admission Scale). There was an increase in the mean T scores on APS (Addiction Potential Scale), INTR (Introversion/low positive emotionality). All scores, with the exception of low AGGR are however within normal ranges of personality. No overall difference between the high and low use groups based on mean T scores for the scales and subscales was found.
The study found personality traits of North American ayahuasca drinkers to be within normal limits of personality and had no clinically significant findings. The small moderate findings that were made reflect the personality traits of the participants at the time of their MMPI-2 responses. ThusAs such it is not possible to determine if the obtained personality traits were influenced by the taking of ayahuasca, or if they led to ayahuasca use.
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The objectives of this study were to determine the mean pattern of personality traits of North American ayahuasca drinkers, determine if any of the groups mean MMPI-2 subscales scores for alcohol or substance abuse show elevations, and to determine if any significant differences exist in the patterns of response to the MMPI-2 between high and low ingestion drinkers of ayahuasca. Thirty-four frequent drinkers of ayahuasca were obtained from the General North American population. These volunteers were administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2), and a general demographics survey. The demographics survey contained questions about the frequency of use of ayahuasca, the participant’s ages, gender, and educational level. It also asked several questions eliciting the participant’s opinions on if ayahuasca had been beneficial for them. MMPI-2 profiles were produced for each participant which included the Validity and Clinical scales, as well as the Restructured Clinical Scales, Content and Content Component Scales, PSY-5 Scales, Supplementary Scales, and Harris-Lingoes subscales. From these profiles mean T scores for the scales were calculated for all scales and subscales. Separate profiles were created for mean T scores of females, males, and the collective group, these allowed for comparisons of female and male responses.
No high elevations were found on any of the scales or subscales for any of the groups. Patterns of elevation above T=55 were found in both female and male groups for scales Hy.( Hysteria) female scores ranged from T=39 to T=82 with a mean of T=54.93 and a standard deviation of 9.91. Male scores ranged from T=45 to T=66 with a mean of T=55.74 and a standard deviation of 6.13. Mean for both groups T=55.38. RC4. (Antisocial Behavior) female scores ranged from T=44 to T=69 with a mean of T=56.33 and a standard deviation of 6.91. Male scores ranged from T=44 to T=83 with a mean of T=55.74 ,and a standard deviation of 9.68. Mean for both groups T=56. RC8. (Aberrant Experiences) female scores ranged from T=38 to T=85 with a mean of T=55.53 and a standard deviation of 11.47. Male scores ranged from T=47 to T=80 with a mean of T=61.42 and a standard deviation of 7.73. Mean for both groups T=58.82. BIZ.( Bizarre mentation) female scores ranged from T=39 to T=76 with a mean of T=56.53 and a standard deviation of 8.24. Male scores ranged from T=51 to T=74 with a mean of T=58.42 and a standard deviation of 6.06. Mean for both groups T=57.59. R. (Repression) female scores ranged from T=46 to T=70 with a mean of T=59 and a standard deviation of 7.23. Male scores ranged from T=43 to T=72 with a mean of T=55 and a standard deviation of 9.07. Mean for both groups T=57. O-H. (Overcontrolled Hostility) female scores ranged from T=33 to T=76 with a mean of T=56 and a standard deviation of 11.18. Male scores ranged from T=38 to T=72 with a mean of T=57 and a standard deviation of 9.31. Mean for both groups T=56.5. AAS. (Addiction Admission) female scores ranged from T=41 to T=73 with a mean of T=57 and a standard deviation of 9.35. Male scores ranged from T=46 to T=80 with a mean of T=58 and a standard deviation of 8.13. Mean for both groups T=57.5, and PSYC. (Psychoticism) female scores ranged from T=35 to T=78 with a mean of T=55.2 and a standard deviation of 9.29. Male scores ranged from T=40 to T=68 with a mean of T=55.58 and a standard deviation of 8.13. Mean for both groups T=55.41. None of the scores were clinically significant. Personality descriptors from the MMPI-2 based on the moderate elevations that were found above T=55 found a code type of 5-6-3, with the difference between the mean T scores of scales 5, T=58.32 and 6, T=57.32 being T=1, and scale 3 having a mean T=54.93. This indicates personalities that may be overly sensitive, guarded or distrustful, possible angry or resentful. It implies some degree of somatic complaints, denial, and immaturity, self-centeredness, that the personality may be demanding, suggestible and prone to a need for affiliation.
The two point code of 6-6/6-5 from the MMPI personality description showed no available information for the group as a whole other than that they were within normal limits of personality. As separate groups males has a code of 5-6/6-5 and females of 3-6/6-3. Both male and female groups were described as having personalities within normal limits.
The scales Pd (Psychopathic deviate), D (Depression), Pt (Psychasthenia), MAC-R (MacAndrew Alcoholism-Revised), AAS (Addiction admission scale), and the APS (Addiction Potential Scale) were examined for elevations that might be correlated to substance abuse. No high scores, and one mean T score above 55, T=57.5 on the AAS scale were found, females T=57, males T=58 . The responses of the ayahuasca drinkers were not found to have a high correlation with the scores of drug and alcohol abusers.
To look for data that might suggest ayahuasca had some effect on traits measurable by the MMPI-2, individual respondent MMPI-2 profiles were then divided into two groups, a high user group and a low user group, using the mean number of ayahuasca uses for the entire sample. Mean T scores were calculated for all scales and subscales within the two groups. These mean T scores were then t-tested, high group mean T score-low group mean T score, for each scale and subscale. At a significance level of p=.05 two–tailed (statistically) significant differences were found between the mean T scores of the high and low use groups on twelve of the scales and subscales. In the high ingestion group there was a decrease in the mean T score on scale 1 Hy.(Hysteria) of T=3.32. t=2.082(df=1) Sig. .047. There was a decrease in the mean T score on scale 7 Pt.(Psychasthenia) of T=5.97. t=3.798(df=1) Sig. .001. There was a decrease in the mean T score on scale 8 Sc.(Schizophrenia) of T=3.26. t=2.131(df=1) Sig. .042. There was a decrease in the mean T score on scale 9 Ma.(Hypomania) of T=4.99. t=2.930(df=1) Sig. .007. There was a decrease in the mean T score on scale Si.(Social Introversion) of T=4.5. t=2.289(df=1) Sig. .030. There was a decrease in the mean T score on the MDS(Marital Distress) of T=4. t=3.125(df=1) Sig. .004. There was an increase in the mean T score on the AAS(Addiction Admission Scale) of T=4. t=-2.112(df=1) Sig. .043. There was an increase in the mean T score on APS(Addiction Potential Scale) of T=4. t=-2.126(df=1) Sig. .043. There was a decrease in the mean T score on scale GF(gender Role Female) of T=8. t=3.217(df=1) Sig. .003. There was a decrease in the mean T score on the AGGR(aggressiveness) Scale of T=4.29. t=2.902(df=1) Sig. .007. There was an increase in the mean T score on the NEGE(Negative emotionality/Neuroticism) Scale of T=3.54. t=-2.138(df=1) Sig. .042. There was an increase in the mean T score on the INTR(Introversion/low positive emotionality) Scale of T=3.79. t=-3.23(df=1) Sig. .028. All scores are however within normal ranges of personality indicating that although there may be some (statistical) differences in personality between high and low users; they are not interpretable as having clinical significance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
List of Figures
List of Tables
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
Ayahuasca and Its History
History and Purpose of the MMPI
The MMPI-2
CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature of Ayahuasca Research
Literature of Hallucinogens and Personality Testing with the MMPI
Literature of Ayahuasca and Neurochemistry
Rationale for the Current Research
Research Objectives of the Current Study
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY
Design, Participants, and Procedure
Design
MMPI-2 Scales Chosen
Non-K-corrected clinical scales.
Restructured clinical scales (RC).
The Butcher Item Content scales.
The Supplemental scales.
MMPI-2 Validity
Participants
Gender, Age, and Education
Ayahuasca Use
Procedure
Data Collection
Validity Measures and Validity Checks
Mean Validity Scores—Female
Mean Validity Scores—Male
Data Analysis
CHAPTER IV: RESULTS
The Use of T Scores and the MMPI-2
Clinical Scale Results
Female
Male
Non-K-Corrected Clinical Scales
Female
Male
The Restructured Clinical Scales
Female
Female RC4 Individual Profile Scores
Female RC6 Individual Profile Scores
Female RC8 Individual Profile Scores
Male
Male RC4 Individual Profile Scores
Male RC8 Individual Profile Scores
The Content Scales
Female
Female Biz Scale Individual Profile Scores
Male
Male Biz Scale Individual Profile Scores
The Supplementary Scales
Female
Female R Scale Individual Profile Scores
Female O-H Scale Individual Profile Scores
Female AAS Scale Individual Profile Scores
Female GM Scale Individual Profile Scores
Male
Male R Scale Individual Profile Scores
Male O-H Scale Individual Profile Scores
Male AAS Individual Profile Scores
The PSY-5 (Personal Psychopathology Five) Scales
Female
The PSYC Individual Scale Score Profiles
The DISC Individual Scale Score Profiles
The INTR Individual Scale Score Profiles
Male
The PSYC Individual Scale Score Profiles
The Clinical Subscales (Harris-Lingoes Subscales)
Female
Male
The Content Component Scales
Female
Data Analysis
Descriptors from the MMPI-2 Manual Clinical Scales
Mean T Scores Spikes on Cinical Scales
Mode T Scores Spikes on Clinical Scales
Restructured Clinical Scales (RCS)
Content Scales
Supplementary Scales
Harris-Lingoes Subscales...... 69
PSY-5 Scales
Results for MMPI-2 Personality Characteristics Descriptors Profile
MMPI Personality Description
Addiction Sensitive Scales Scores
High Ayahuasca Use Profiles Compared to Low Ayahuasca Use Profiles
Summary of Results
CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION
Evaluation of MMPI/MMPI-2 Results
Differences between High and Low Ingestion Drinkers
Limitations of Current Study
Conclusion
Suggestions for Further Research
REFERENCES
APPENDIX: FIGURES...... 101
List of Figures
Figure 1. Ages of female ayahuasca drinkers.
Figure 2. Ages of male ayahuasca drinkers.
Figure 3. Educational levels—female.
Figure 4. Educational levels—male.
Figure 5. Ayahuasca use—female.
Figure 6. Ayahuasca use—male.
Figure 7. Mean Validity T scores for the female ayahuasca drinkers.
Figure 8. Mean validity T scores for male ayahuasca drinkers.
Figure 9. Mean T scores for clinical scales—female.
Figure 10. Individual profiles for females on scale 3.
Figure 11. Mean T scores for the clinical scales—male.
Figure 12. Individual profiles for males on scale 3.
Figure 13. Individual profiles for males on scale 4.
Figure 14. Individual profiles for males on scale 6.
Figure 15. Non-K-corrected mean T score profiles for females.
Figure 16. Non-K-corrected mean T score profiles for males.
Figure 17. Mean T scores of the female profiles on the RC scales.
Figure 18. Individual T scores for female profiles on the RC4 scale.
Figure 19. Individual profile T scores for female profiles on the RC6.
Figure 20. Individual profile T scores for female profiles on the RC8.
Figure 21. Mean T scores of the male profiles on the RC scales.
Figure 22. Individual T score profiles for RC4 for males.
Figure 23. Individual T score profiles for RC8 for males.
Figure 24. Mean T scores of the female profiles on the Content scales.
Figure 25. Individual T score profiles for the female BIZ profiles.
Figure 26. Mean T scores of the male profiles on the content scales.
Figure 27. Individual T score profiles for the male BIZ scale.
Figure 28. Mean T scores of the female profiles on the Supplementary Scales.
Figure 29. Individual T score profiles for the female R scale.
Figure 30. Individual T score profiles for the female O-H scale.
Figure 31. Individual T score profiles for the female AAS scale.
Figure 32. Individual T score profiles for the female GM scale.
Figure 33. Mean T scores of the male profiles on the Supplementary Scales.
Figure 34. Individual T score profiles for the male R scale.
Figure 35. Individual T score profiles for the male O-H scale.
Figure 36. Individual T score profiles for the male AAS scale.
Figure 37. Mean T scores of the female profiles on the PSY-5 Scales.
Figure 38. T score profiles for the female PSYC scale.
Figure 39. T score profiles for the female DISC scale.
Figure 40. T score profiles for the female INTR scale.
Figure 41. Mean T scores of the male profiles on the PSY-5 Scales.
Figure 42. T score profiles for the male PSYC scale.
Figure 43. Mean T scores of the female profiles Harris-Lingoes scales.
Figure 44. Mean T scores of the male profiles Harris-Lingoes scales.
Figure 45. Mean T scores of the female profiles Content Component Scales.
Figure 47. Mean T scores for the entire group Clinical Scales.
Figure 48. Mode of the T scores of the clinical scales.
Figure 49. Female modal T scores.
Figure 50. Male modal T scores.
Figure 51. Restructured Clinical Scales.
Figure 52. Mean T scores for the Content scales.
Figure 53. Mean T scores of the Content Component scales.
Figure 54. Mean T scores for the Supplementary scales.
Figure 55. Mean T scores for the PSY-5 Scales.
Figure 56. Mean T scores of the Harris-Lingoes scales.
Figure 57. Mean T scores of addiction sensitive scales.
Figure 58. Differences between ayahuasca consumption groups.
List of Tables
Table 1: High-low Use T-test Scale 1.Hs
Table 2: High-low Use T-test Scale 7.Pt
Table 3: High-low Use T-test Scale 8.Sc
Table 4: High-low Use T-test Scale 9.Ma
Table 5: High-low Use T-test Scale 0.Si
Table 6: High-low Use T-test MDS
Table 7: High-low Use T-test AAS
Table 8: High-low Use T-test APS
Table 9: High-low Use T-test GF Scale
Table 10: High-low Use T-test AGGR Scale
Table 11: High-low Use T-test NEGE Scale
Table 12: High-low Use T-test INTR Scale
Table 13: High-low Use Groups T-test of Mean T Scores
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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
Ayahuasca and Its History
Ayahuasca is a tea with psychoactive properties that originated in the Amazon basinAmazon basin in pre-Columbian times.The exact time of the beginning of human use of the tea in its present form is unknown, but remnants of psychoactive substances UNCLEAR: with uses similar to ayahuasca, or that were ayahuasca, , have been found on artifacts such as preserved mummies of human sacrifices, implying that the substance was taken prior to sacrifice in some religious context. In one case, remnants were found on a stone ceremonial cup, which also implyiesimplies sacred use.The traces of psychotropic plants may have been from as early as 500 B.C. (Naranjo, 1979, 1986).
I believe it likely that ayahuasca use could be almost as old as human habitation in the Amazon basinAmazon basin.People tend to search for medicinal plants in whatever environment they are in, and any plants that have the immediate effect of altering consciousness and are not apparently detrimental to health would be easily noticed.
The most traditional form of ayahuasca is an infusion of the Banistiriopsis vine.The ayahuasca vine is a common plant in the Amazon bbasin asin rain forests and has many varieties with the same basic psychoactive properties; however, various varieties were recognized by native peoples to have differing spiritual and healing tendencies.By itself, the ayahuasca vine has consciousness altering effects and has been the subject of claims of opening the spirit world to the user, producing telepathy as well as cures for physical, mental, and social problems.The vine is traditionally said to possess its own highly benevolent, but unpredictable spirit that “speaks” to the drinker.As powerful an alteration of the drinker’s consciousness as this appears to be, the experience is much less powerful than the most commonly used preparations that include a second plant in the infusion that contains the hallucinogen dimetheltryptamine (DMT).The inclusion of the leaves of the psychotria viridis produce profound visionary experiences of overwhelming intensity that are often described as of literally cosmic and transpersonal proportions.Drinkers report visions of the meaning and form of the universe, speaking with spirits and the dead, and journey to realms beyond the physical.The experience is said to be intense, uncontrollable, both hellish and ecstatic, and is often reported as profoundly meaningful and healing.Ayahuasca has also traditionally been used to seek power to harm one’s enemies through magic, by warriors in preparation for battle, and to bind people emotionally in marriage.