Level of self-esteem and size of human figure drawing as a function of group vs individual administration.

Abstract

Since the publication of Karen Machover's book ( 3 ) , considerable data relating level of self-esteem and size of human figure drawings has been amassed. Machover proposed that large figures were related high self-esteem, whereas small figures were indicative of low self-esteem. This relationship has been studied in a variety of settings using various subjects (4, 5 ) . Even a cursory glimpse of this literature indicates inconsistency. One interesting aspect of this inconsistency was brought out by Hollings ( 2 ) who found significantly more significant results, i.e., results supportive of the relationship proposed by Machover ( 3 ) , were obtained in studies that utilized individual, rather [han group, administration of the figure-drawing task. The present study directly invesc~gared this. A total of 212 undergraduate college students were initially admin~srcrccl [he Texas Social Behavior Inventory ( 1 ) ascertain level of self-esteem. The mean and standard deviation was computed and a cut-off point of +/one standard deviation was used determine subjects of high and low self-esteem. These subjects were randomly assigned individualor group-administration (Phase Two) of the Draw-a-Person task. Both tests were administered in the regular classroom. For the drawing task subjects were given, face down, three sheets of 8%x 11-in. white paper stapled together, with one of the three words, MAN, WOMAN, MYSELF, on each sheet, and a No. 2 pencil with an eraser. The sheets were randomly arranged. both between and within subjects. The subjects were instructed to draw the picture that should go on eachgage, lfot draw stick figures or profiles. N o time limit was imposed. Subjects in the in lv~dual admlnlstratron condition were seated alone in the testing room. Subjects in the group-administration condition were tested in groups that ranged from 3 12 and were seated at small tables formed into a circle. Using an 8Yzx 11-in. cm grid each of the three figures drawn by each subject was scored on three indicators, body height (excluding artifacts), body width (excluding artifacts), and area (height X width). Each indicator was subjected analysis of variance. Under individual administration subjects high in self-esteem drew significantly taller (Ms = 18.37 cm vs 15.03 cm) and larger-area (Ms = 140.54 un vs 118.09 cm) figures than did subjects low in self-esteem. These significant, positive relationships support Machover's contention that the size of the figure drawn reflects level of self-esteem. Results of data from group administration yielded significance ( p < .05) only for the intrraction of level of selfesteem by figure on height of figure. Further investigation (Tukey's procedure) of this interaction indicated that subjects low in self-esteem drew the WOMAN figure significantly ( p < .05) larger than did subjects high in self-esteem (Ms = 15.85 crn vs 12.07 cm). Thus, admin~stration of the test in a group situation had the effect of greatly reducing the difference berween those subjects with high and low self-esteem.