Advantages and Disadvantages in using Projective Techniques

Definition, Nature and Brief History of the Development of Projective Tests

Prepared by:Aaron Cynl AgliamMA in Clinical Psychology

Projective TestsThese are personality tests designed to let a person respond to ambiguous stimuli, presumably revealing hidden emotions and internal conflicts.

Responses are content-analyzed for meaningOne criticism is that it relies heavily on clinical judgement, lacks validity and reliability, and may have no standardized criteria to which results may be compared. But despite this flaw, projective tests are still used frequently

Brief History on its DevelopmentIt had its origins in psychoanalytic theory. It states that humans have conscious and unconscious attitudes that are beyond or hidden from conscious awareness.

A general theory behind projective tests is that whenever a specific question is asked, the response is consciously-formulated and socially determined. Ambiguity of projective tests allows subjects to express thoughts that originate on a deeper level, which is sometimes not tapped by explicit questions.

Proponents of Projective TestsFrancis Galton a British psychologist who conceptualized projective techniques in 1897. He chose a number of words and allowed himself to associate as many as words to each of them within four seconds. He categorized these associations in a number of categories and started to believe that a person's mental operations are wholly conducted in your sub-consciousness.

Sigmund Freud his dream analysis and free association contributed to how one may discover a person's unconscious state.

Carl Jung along with Wundt and Emil Kraeplin, expounded on the word association tests made by Francis Galton. Jung finalized 100 stimulus words in 1910 to be used in different kinds of projective personality tests.

Clinical Difference Between Projective Tests and Psychometrics

Prepared by:Juvilee Anne RavaneraMA in Clinical Psychology

Advantages and Disadvantages in using Projective TechniquesPrepared by: Joseph MarquezMA PSY CPAdvantagesMost projective techniques are largely nonreading and nonwriting exercises

Less in faking responses

Most frequently used in therapeutic settings

therapists use these tests to learn qualitative information about a client

may use projective tests as a sort of icebreaker

It can help resolve pre-occupations

DisadvantagesIt is highly subjective, so interpretations may vary

It is hard to score because of different responses

Lack validity and reliabilitythe respondent's answers can be heavily influenced by the examiner's attitudes or the test setting