The use of standardized and objective instruments constitutes a support to the clinical observation in order to evaluate particular and general aspects of an individual's psychic life, and it can represent a valid aid in the evaluation and prediction of aggressivity. Our aim is the assessment of the MMPI-2 ‘s predictive capacity, a self-report personality test, constituted of 567 items, evaluating possible aggressive acts.

20 subjects with a history of aggressivity, in the absence of major psychiatric disorders, were examined. The MMPI-2 test was administered to them, so as to assess their profile with reference to the aggressivity's indicators. It was also administered to a control group of subjects without a history of aggressivity.

In all the examined offenders, unlike the control group, were observed low T values in the K scale (< 40), an increase in the Pd base scale (>65) and supplemental scale O-H (>65); with respect to the derivative indexes, it was noticed a scarce adaptive capacity (Hy< Pa), a low tendency to the tolerance of frustrations and a negative value at T points in the PAI (Hy+100)-(Pd+2Pa).

In concordance with the literature data, the MMPI-2 can be a useful support in evaluating the risk of aggressivity. Subjects at risk of acting out show low values in the K scale (< 40), high values in the Pd scale (>65). Other particularly important risk indicators are: code types 4/6, 4/8, 468, a scarce adaptive capacity (Hy< Pa) and a scarce tolerance to frustrations.