An introduction to rorschach assessment1 the university of toledo. What rorschach inkblot test tells you about your personality. Rorschach test theory the most widely used method in the united states is based on the work of john e. In the test, the participant is shown a series of ten ink blot cards and directed to respond to each with what they see in the inkblot. The inkblot test also called the rorschach test is a method of psychological evaluation. But the test still divides psychologists, writes dr mike drayton. Ink blots provide ambiguous stimuli much like life. Testing on the spots inkblots of incomprehensible shape causes different associations, on the basis of which the persons mental state is. In fact, the contents of the response are only a comparatively small portion of a broader cluster of variables that are used to interpret the rorschach data. The two most widely known and used projective tests are the rorschach inkblot and the thematic apperception test, or.
Rorschach interpretation assistance program client report. Used appropriately, the rorschach uniquely reveals a persons level of energy, control of emotions, and thought processes something that other tests are unable to do. Established in 1996, as the original rorschach website, was founded by mark w. A common misconception of the rorschach test is that its interpretation is based primarily on the contents of the response what the examinee sees in the inkblot. Significance on six cf, pairs, rtotal, zf, ag, and t of the rorschach variables investigated was found for the 9yearold study group. The interpretation of rorschach responses sometimes involves the content of those responses. Although a few rorschach scoring scales have shown moderate validity in predicting thought. Kerner believed that responses to interpretation of ink blots could reveal important individual meanings.
There are ten distinctive inkblots in the rorschach test, and 45 in the holtzman test, a secondgeneration inkblot test designed to fix the errors in rorschachs. Blend responses, therefore indicates the presence of psychological complexity within. Primarily a diagnostic tool, the rorschach, or inkblot, test has been widely uti. About the series t american psychological association. A psychologist at a mental hospital in 1955 discusses a patients interpretation of an inkblot in the rorschach test. It requires taking all of the text transcribed during the test administration qualitative material and turning it into numeric scores quantitative information that will later be used in the structural summary, and ultimately, for interpretation.
During the 1940s and 1950s, the test was synonymous with clinical psychology. Originally developed by hermann rorschach as means of detecting schizophrenia, this little known and abstract test went on to become a pop culture staple featured in. Herman rorschach received his inspiration for the ink blot test by j. The rorschach inkblot test oax is a method of psychological evaluation.
The test was designed by a swiss psychiatrist and artist in the early 1920s. Rorschach inkblot test synonyms, rorschach inkblot test pronunciation, rorschach inkblot test translation, english dictionary definition of rorschach inkblot test. Psychologists use this test to try to probe the unconscious minds of their patients. Used appropriately, the rorschach uniquely reveals a persons level of energy, control of emotions, and thought processessomething that other tests are unable to do. Integrative rorschach interpretation article pdf available in journal of personality assessment 642. Cf, pairs, zf, and t were all found in significantly lower amounts for the study group. This was one of the earliest versions of a type of psychological tool known as the projective technique. The rorschach test is a psychological test consisting of ten inkblots that a test taker is asked to interpret. Matthews, phd and aims to continue providing an online resource for information about the ethical and professional use of rorschach inkblot test. The results took into account the age of patient at the time of abuse. This test is also known as the rorschach inkblot test. Established in 1996, as the original rorschach website, rorschach. Pdf interpreting discrepancies between the mmpi2 and the. A psychological test in which a subjects interpretations of a series of standard inkblots are.
This test is often employed in diagnosing underlying thought disorders and differentiating psychotic from nonpsychotic. Michael on the hunt jagten lieve s on the hunt jagten edward iii on the hunt jagten steven w. Then, the entry discusses the coding, interpretation, and analysis quantitative. After being brought to chicago, they spread quickly across the united states as a popular personality test. Abel on the hunt jagten anonymous on the hunt jagten aequus on rorschach ink blot test. Rorschachs original 10 images were published in 1921, the year before his death. Few devices from the world of psychology have entered popular culture quite so much as hermann rorschachs famous inkblot test.
In this highly readable interpretive guide to the rorschach inkblot test, james choca describes the uses to which it is best suited. Although the rorschach inkblot test is still widely used by some clinical. The merger between clinical psychology and behavioral neurology can be said to have occurred when the. Some psychologists use this test to examine a persons personality characteristics and emotional functioning. How to code the rorschach theoretical goals underlying the. Ashton, in individual differences and personality second edition, 20. Sage reference rorschach inkblot test sage knowledge. About promoting the ethical use of the rorschach inkblot test.
Interpreting discrepancies between the mmpi2 and the rorschach inkblot test. Rorschach test definition is a projective psychological test that uses a subjects interpretation of 10 standard black or colored inkblot designs to assess personality traits and emotional tendencies. Rorschach test rorshahk, a projective psychological test in which the subject reveals his or her attitudes, emotions, and personality by reporting what is seen in. In 1921, herman rorschach published psychodiagnostik. Roberts apperception test for children, 2nd edition roberts2. Choca describes the uses to which it is best suited. How does the rorschach inkblot test attempt to determine. Some attempt to justify the use of the rorschach and similar tests as good way to prompt interviewing, thus allowing the application of clinical judgment and the psychologists impressions about the person being interviewed.
Rorschach test definition of rorschach test by merriam. Hermann rorschach trained with influential psychiatrist carl jung, but he also had a strong artistic background. The rorschach inkblot test is one of several inkblotbased personality assessment instruments, though it is by far the most well known, commonly used, and frequently researched. The rorschach inkblot test is a popular performancebased personality test developed by hermann rorschach 18841922. Psychologists use this test to try to examine the personality characteristics and emotional functioning of their patients. The rorschach test is a psychological test in which subjects perceptions of inkblots are recorded and then analyzed using psychological interpretation, complex algorithms, or both. The first 10 cards in the rorschach inkblot test 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 test. The rorschach inkblot test is a method of psychological evaluation. In this highly readable interpretive guide to the rorschach inkblot test, james p. In the exner system, responses are scored with reference to their level of vagueness or synthesis of multiple images in the blot, the location of the response, which of a variety of determinants is used to produce the response i. Psychologists use this test in an attempt to examine the personality characteristics and emotional functioning of their patients.
An introduction to rorschach assessment 285 relationships with a criterion regardless of whether they make conceptual sense, to fully rational, in which items are selected based on logic and a theoretical understanding of the construct to be measured regardless of whether there is statistical evidence to support that belief. The rorschach contains a series of inkblot patterns. The rorschach is one of the most commonly used tests in forensic assessment, and has been employed in diagnosing underlying thought disorder and. Rorschach inkblot test definition of rorschach inkblot. In this lesson, we will discuss the tests history and how exners comprehensive.
His education in art helped to spur the development of a set of inkblots that were used experimentally to measure various unconscious parts of the subjects personality. The merger between clinical psychology and behavioral neurology can be said to. One wellknown projective test is the rorschach inkblot test rorschach, 1921. Pdf understanding and using the rorschach inkblot test. It is a projective test associated with the freudian school of thought. How to code the rorschach tara rose c oding rorschach responses is an involved process.
During an ink blot test, usually called a rorschach test, you are asked to make sense out of nonsense by explaining what forms and figures you see in the designs. Rorschach interpretation assistance program client report by irving b. Because completing the rorschach test is time intensive and requires and psychologist trained in its usage, there have been many attempts to convert the rorschach into an objective test for ease of use. The rorschach inkblot test is a projective psychological test consisting of 10 inkblots printed on cards five in black and white, five in color created in 1921 with the publication of psychodiagnostik by hermann rorschach.
Rapaport influence on clinical practitioners who use r. It has been employed to detect underlying thought disorder, especially in cases where patients are. Hermann rorschach test is a psyhological test allows investigate personality in detail and determine the disorder of the persons psychological state. Understanding and using the rorschach inkblot test to assess posttraumatic conditions article pdf available in psychological injury and law 52 june 2012 with 3,024 reads how we measure reads. Assessment using the rorschach inkblot test american.