A PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUE TO ASSESS PERSONALITY

SABA SHABIR

THE ISLAMIA UNIVERSITY, PAKISTAN

An inexplicit construct which is invoked to explain behavioral consistency within persons and behavioral distinctiveness between persons.(Gregory, 2004)

Assessment of personality traits

Dynamic motivation

Personal adjustment

Psychiatric symptomatology

Social skills

Attitudinal characteristics

A projective test, in which subjects responses to inkblots are recorded and analyzed, using psychological interpretation.

A Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922) devised the inkblot test in 1921.

He wrote a book Psychodiagnostics, in 1921

Test was relied on psychoanalytical theory

Basic purpose is to assess unconscious, as subject project inner feelings towards inkblot

Test can provide insight into thought process

First formulated to diagnose Schizophrenia

In 1939, it was included in Projective Techniques

Interpretation: Perception with consciousness of assimilative efforts

Perception: Assimilation without consciousness of assimilative efforts

Number of responses (average 15 to 30 responses)

Reaction time ( average 20 to 30 minutes)

Failure to answer

frequently recurring themes are termed as F+

less clear are called F-

F% indicates:

the acute perception

sharp visualization

associative factors and

some aspects of intelligence

Also divided into M+ and M- as good and poor movement respectively, depending upon their correspondence to the considered figure

High M= introvert

Low M= extrovert

Primary M: F and M are perceived at the same time

Secondary M: first F and then M is perceived

Extension movements= self-assertion

Flexion movements= passive and resigned

Primary color answers (C) :

Interpretation is determined by the color of the figure alone without any significant consideration of the form.

It indicates impulsiveness

Color-form answers (CF) :

The interpretation is primarily determined by the color of the blot, but the form in not entirely disregarded.

Representative of emotional instability, irritability, sensitivity and suggestibility

Form-color response (FC):

The interpretation is based primarily on the form but is also influenced significantly by the color

Indicates emotional instability, but also desire to adapt

capability for formation of rapport

M balances the unit C:

M > color : means affective tone is stable

M < color : more impulsiveness and affective

Color-shock:

Response of emotion suppressors

Emotion controllers: prefer blue and green, and avoid red

Whole answers (W): primary or secondary

Detail answer (D): most striking detail of figure

Small detail answer (Dd): unusual detail

Intermediate Form (S): white area on card is perceived

Oligophrenic detail (do): based on only a minute and single detail

Rigid

Orderly

Loose succession

Scattered

Animal forms (A) or animal part (Ad)

25% to 50% normally

Imaginative person gives less than 35%

50% and above indicates stereotyped behavior

Human form (H) or human part (Hd)

Inanimate objects

Landscapes (Ldscp.)

Original responses (creative)

Popular responses ( response of many subjects in population or a common response)

Testing atmosphere and seating arrangements

Materials (stop-watch, location chart, pencil and Rorschach inkblot cards)

Procedure:

Free-association phase

Inquiry phase

Scoring:

1. Responses on each card and position of card

2. Reaction time

3. Location (W, D, Dd, S)

4. Determinant (M, F, FC, CF, C)

5. Content (H, Hd, A, Ad, Obj.)

6. Popular/original

7. Psychograph

8. F% and A%

9. Qualitative analysis

Many studies point to low reliability and a general lack of predictive validity (Carslon, Kaula, & St. Laurent, 1997; Peterson, 1978; Lanyon, 1984).

Rorschach explained a dismal 8 to 13 percent of variance in client characteristics, as compared to the MMPI, which explained 23 to 30 percent of variance. (Grab, Florio, and Grove, 1998.)

Improvements in scoring offered by Exner are more optimistic in outcome (Exner, 1995).

Question session…

Thank you…