This study reports that 100% of 52 untrained volunteers were able to fake psychopathology on the SCL-90-R at a level comparable to the average range for psychiatric patients. Although not questioning the nonforensic clinical usefulness of the instrument, the author cautions SCL-90-R users to employ the instrument with care in contexts in which deception is an issue. Data on efforts to fake cancerphobia and emotional distress secondary to toxic exposure are presented.
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