Effects of instructions for visual imagery on Rorschach responses.

Abstract

The Rorschach was administered to two groups of 12 subjects under two conditions. The first group was classified as imagery Reactors based upon their prior responsivity to imagery instructions during therapy. The second group was labelled Nonreactors using the same clinical criteria. The condition administered first utilized the standard Rorschach; in the second, subjects were asked to produce sequences of visual imagery using Rorschach cards as stimuli. Both groups received both Rorschach administrations. Responses were scored without knowledge of the two classifications of subjects. Instructions for imagery appeared to have a disinhibiting effect and led to significant changes in several major Rorschach scoring categories and in a specially derived index of the amount of clinically relevant conflictual and affective material manifested. There were a number of significant differences between Reactors and Nonreactors in Rorschach response levels under the imagery condition, among other changes. Reactors yielded significantly more complex and clinically revealing material under imagery than did Nonreactors. The findings were considered to be particularly useful for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions with certain types of patients. The results also suggest the possibility of differences in personality structure between imagery Reactors and Nonreactors which warrant further investigation.