Scale Properties of the Holtzman Inkblots

Abstract

Scaling techniques were presently applied to perceptions of inkblots, to empirically delineate the relationship between their stimulus properties and the nature of verbal associations elicited in projective testing. The Holtzman Inkblot Technique (HIT) was administered in group form to a relatively diverse group of college students. Subjects also individually rated the similarity of pairs of the HIT inkblots. Similarity judgments were analyzed via a multidimensional scaling (MDS) approach which recovered dimensions of variations among blots. The MDS procedures also captured variation across subjects in their utilization of blot stimulus properties. MDS solutions generally reflected differences among the blots along dimensions of physical characteristics of the blots. Differences in responsiveness of subjects to these characteristics appeared to reliably reflect meaningful substantive distinctions among subjects, many of which were not captured by traditional HIT variables. Implications were discussed in terms of further MDS applications and possible re-evaluation of HIT variables or procedures.