Attributive and Contrast Projection: A Cognitive Approach

Abstract

Summary It was hypothesized that more intelligent and less psychologically differentiated Ss would be less likely to use attributive and contrast projection. The Otis Self-Administering Tests of Mental Ability were used as the measure of intelligence, and the Group Embedded Figures Test was used to measure psychological differentiation. Nineteen female and 11 male college students described Favorable and Unfavorable target photographs and themselves on a list of trait-rating scales. Possible accuracy of ratings was controlled. Attributive projection and contrast projection were demonstrated and found to be related to each other (r = .44, p<.01). There was no relationship between cognitive ability and the measures of projection. The correlation between attributive projection and psychological differentiation was r = .345 (p<.05); the correlation between contrast projection and psychological differentiation was r = -.51 (p<.01), indicating that more differentiated Ss projected more. The results are consistent with Witkin's position that more differentiated Ss are more likely to project, since projection is a relatively sophisticated mechanism. They also support Witkin's premise that intelligence and psychological differentiation are separable.