Apperception Test Research Articles

Women’s and men’s happiness in the context of eternal values

The authors draw attention to the issue of gender differences in the features of the subjective experience of happiness and unhappiness. The article describes the results of a study conducted with clients of psychologists who report problems related to the experience of destructive interpersonal relationships and consider themselves deeply unhappy in life. The purpose of the study is to reveal the gender specificity of the frustration of the subjects’ life needs underlying the deep experience of unhappiness in their lives. A peculiarity of the approach used by the authors is the consideration of issues of psychological nature in the context of philosophical and religious understanding of eternal values, such as happiness and love for one’s neighbor. A special focus of the authors’ attention is the problems related to the philosophical and religious basis of consideration of the feminine as Sophia the Wisdom of God with the complex of her rejection, the dominant sense of guilt, and the desire to return to the Father. Such methodological symbiosis is facilitated by interdisciplinarity as one of the main principles of the authors’ interaction with the materials of this work. The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) aimed at the amplification of subjects’ unconscious intentions is used as a diagnostic instrument. The conducted psychological study allows to reveal and describe some of the causes for the manifestation and experience of happiness and unhappiness in the lives of modern men and women and show specific differences between their subjective experiences of happiness and unhappiness in their lives. Unlike previous studies of this kind, the deployed philosophical and religious studies approach provides an opportunity to take a new look at the outlined issues considering them from the point of the philosophical context of values.

Lonely, homesick and struggling: undergraduate students and intention to quit university

PurposeThis paper outlines a variety of the research on student attrition and recognises some of the sensitivities that may be involved for some students in dealing with dropping out of university. This paper claims that because of these sensibilities, some student’s responses to direct questions about the reasons for attrition may be biased by social desirability. The purpose of this paper is to get beyond social desirability bias to examine a fuller range of reasons for student retention and attrition.Design/methodology/approachIn an exploratory investigation, this research study uses a projective technique which helps to circumvent the conscious defences of respondents. The projective technique is based on the “thematic apperception test” and uses a “bubble drawing” to elicit emotional and more socially undesirable responses.FindingsAll first-year students appear to consider leaving university, and emotional considerations involving loneliness and homesickness are much more prominent than most quantitative studies acknowledge. For example, in this research, social concerns are twice as prominent as financial concerns, whereas in past survey research, financial concerns have been identified as most prominent.Practical implicationsTo retain students, universities need to provide new students with real care and support, especially in their first few weeks at university. To study retention comprehensively, researchers need to go beyond the confines of positivist research.Originality/valueThis is the first study that uses a projective technique to investigate student retention and attrition. By going beyond a merely positivist approach to research, a fuller, deeper and more complete understanding of the wide extent and profound nature of the emotional issues involved in student attrition and retention is gained.

IMPACT OF ANXIETY AND TERROR OF DEATH ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS

The aim of the study was to identify the terror of death and anxiety level in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving renal replacement therapy using chronic hemodialysis (HD) and to evaluate the impact of patients' psychological status on medical staff, selection of basic methods of psychotherapeutic care for patients in this category. We involved 37 patients, aged 33-72 years (mean, 45.6 ± 3.8 years). The duration of chronic HD ranged from 8 months to 10 years, with an average of 4.6 years. All the patients had a stable nutritional status, HD regimen and drug therapy for at least 3 months. To diagnose the psychological state of patients we used: the scale of self-assessment of the level of situational and personal anxiety (Spielberger-Hanin’s Scale), personal questionnaire for changes at the onset of HD therapy, elements of a clinical interview, image apperception test (simplified version of Thematic apperception test., Bechterev’s Institute Personal Questionnaire for Diagnosis of Type of Illness (LOBI), Locus of control and personal changes after initiation of HD therapy.
 We found that the: adaptation of the patient to HD therapy is complicated due to the high degree of anxiety and maladaptive terror of death, which reduce the patient’s quality of life. The HD procedure increases the level of situational anxiety and requires psycho-correction. HD therapy requires activation of the patient's psychological protection mechanisms, since the dominant protective mechanisms of the psyche in this type of substitution treatment are displacement and negation. The inflexible and rigid use of the latter provokes maladaptive reactions when interacting with healthcare providers, a non-constructive approach to lifestyle choices, work-rest regime, and diet. Patients with a maladaptive mode of adjustment to HD therapy require psychotherapy assistance. There is a need to monitor the psychological status of not only patients, but also medical staff, which due to the specificity of the contingent increases the level of contingent own terror of death. Doctors of HD units require participation in mutual support groups.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Coping Strategies: A Case Study of a Family of a War Stricken Soldier

The current study aimed to knowing the level of PTSD among a family of a War Stricken Soldier (the wife and eldest daughter), and knowing the clinical indications for PTSD symptoms to the cases, also it aimed to search about the coping strategies which the wife and the eldest adopted and study the effect of these coping strategies on relieving PTSD symptoms, and it aimed to knowing the dynamic motivations for the cases responses on the TAT cards, that underlie the emergence of PTSD symptoms and the adoption of specific coping strategies.
 Several tools were used, Semi Structured interview, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Davidson Scale for Post-Traumatic Stress, Post-Traumatic Coping Strategies Scale.
 The study results indicated to the existence of mild level on PTSD to the wife, and moderate level to the daughter, Problem-solving strategies have emerged as the wife's strongest coping strategies, and avoidance strategies have emerged as the daughter's strongest coping strategies. The responses of the two cases on TAT and the analysis of their latent dynamic motivations are discussed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Kleptomania: A Case Study

Kleptomania is a disabling impulse control disorder, that can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This was achieved through the results of a case study. The presenting case is 20-year-old college student. The complaint at the first interview was that she was stealing from others during childhood, with other symptoms matching DSM-5 for diagnosis of kleptomania.
 Study aims to use of CBT techniques to treat of kleptomania, with the application of psychological analysis theory techniques.
 Used of the clinical interview, thematic apperception test (TAT) and neuroticism trait from big five personality traits. With these measurements was determined causes and level of the disorder, in addition behavior motivated and neuroticism trait.
 Through the application of techniques and strategies of CBT and psychological analysis theory techniques the patient was treated for kleptomania symptoms and neuroticism trait (anxiety, anger, hostility, depression, consciousness-self, impulsiveness, stress and vulnerability). After treatment, the patient regained the ability to self-control, control of negative thoughts, and emotional stability.
 The study recommends for avoid harsh punishment, the Importance of using the right methods of education with children and adolescents, especially the child talented. In addition to the importance of dealing with the kleptomania as a disease and not a crime. With the possibility using of projective tests and some psychological analysis techniques with CBT.

الفائدة الاکلینیکیة لاختبار تفهم الموضوع (T.A.T) فی الکشف عن دینامیات الشخصیة للحالات الطرفیة لمقیاس القدرة للتفکیر الابداعی ( دراسة حالة )

مستخلص: هدفت الدراسة إلى معرفة ديناميات الشخصية، کالحوافز والحاجات والمشاعر والصراعات والعقد النفسية والتخيلات لدى الحالات الطرفية على مقياس القدرة للتفکير الابداعي من خلال تطبيق اختبار تفهم الموضوع ( التات )، وتم تحديد عينة الدراسة باختيار الحالة الأولى لحصولها على درجة أعلى، والحالة الثانية لحصولها على درجة أقل على مقياس التفکير الإبداعي، وذلک بالنسبة للعينة الکلية لغرض تطبيق الدراسة الإکلينيکية ومعرفة جوهر ديناميات الشخصية لکلى الحالتين الطرفيتين: باستخدام المقابلة الکلينيکية ذات رؤوس الموضوعات الهادية. وتبين من خلال نتاج الدراسة أن اختبار تفهم الموضوع (T.A.T ) من حيث التحليل الکمي والکيفي والدلالات الإکلينيکية لعناصره، ذو فائدة کلينيکية في معرفة ديناميات الشخصية وتحقيق الفهم الأفضل للحالة. Abstract The study aimed to know the dynamics of personality, such as the motives, needs, feelings, conflicts, psychological complexes, and fantasies of the peripheral cases on the scale of the creative thinking through the application of the Thematic apperception Test(TAT), and the study sample was determined by choosing the first case for obtaining a higher score, and the second case for obtaining a lower score On the creative thinking scale, for the total sample for the purpose of applying the clinical study and knowing the essence of the personality dynamics for the two terminal states: using the clinical interview with guiding topic headings. It was found through the results of the study that the Subject Understanding Test (T.A.T) in terms of quantitative and qualitative analysis and the clinical indications of its elements is of clinical benefit in knowing the dynamics of personality and achieving a better understanding of the situation.

Quand le féminin est mis à mal … À propos d’une prise de poids significative chez des jeunes femmes en post-annonce diagnostique d’une agénésie utéro-vaginale

ObjectivesBased on data from a vast medical-psychopathological research study proposed to girls suffering from utero-vaginal agenesis — Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) —, the value and the function of a frequently occurring (10%) bulimic disorder (with weight gain) at the announcement of the diagnosis are analyzed from a psychodynamic perspective. The psychic implications of the diagnosis and its consequences in terms of the modalities of the sessions with these adolescents, alongside genital sexuality, are underlined. The analysis of two cases studies, put into perspective, allows us to refine our understanding of the meaning of this food-related symptom. Therefore, this could both constitute a defensive modality signaling the impasses of the process of construction of the feminine as it could be a lever of psychic transformation of the traumatic repercussions of this process. MethodsForty young MRKH women aged 19 to 34 (with an average age of 25 ½) are met. The research is offered to them from two to 17 years after their diagnostic announcement; clinical reflection consists of a retrospective analysis of their adolescent traumatic experience. The patients’ stories are collected using a clinical research non-directive interview. Two projective methods — Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) — are also proposed to better understand the modalities of their psychic functioning at the time of the clinical encounters. Interview data are subjected to a thematic clinical analysis. The protocols of the Rorschach and of the TAT are analyzed according to the method of interpretation of the French School, which refers to the psychoanalytic theory of psychic functioning. The material, resulting from sessions with two patients diagnosed with MRKH at the age of 17 and having gained 10kg in the aftermath of this announcement, is compared in a thorough way. ResultsThe contrasts — in terms of problematics and of levels of elaboration — between the interview and the projective protocols are striking for each patient. With the analysis of the interview, the bulimic symptom of the first patient occurs in a psychic context where feminine interiority seems unrepresentable. On the contrary, projective protocols reveal access to conflicting and symbolic feminine work. In the same way, the second patient's discourse about her symptom is at first sight much more elaborate than that of the first patient; she establishes a subjective link between the renunciation of maternity inherent in the announcement of MRKH and the compensatory dimension provided by weight gain. However, the discrepancy with the projective tests is surprising in this second patient. Indeed, her productions reflect fragilities in her identity and an insufficient symbolization of the sexual that testify to the defensive value of the excessive symbolization of her speech, evident in the interview. DiscussionThese contrasts lead us to consider binge-eating as an attempt to treat an already conflicting female sexuality, even in deadlock, before the discovery of MRKH. Its traumatic accents are updated and potentiated with the diagnostic announcement. The different levels of identified problems can coexist in a same woman, whether it is a feminine that has neither been constructed nor integrated; an impossible investment of the internal body; or a counter-investment of an impossible maternity. In this context, the etiopathogeny of weight gain subsequent to the announcement of the diagnosis is unique for each young woman, but always in connection with an affected or wounded feminine and/or maternal. ConclusionIn conclusion, if the weight gain following the diagnosis reflects a hindrance or even an impasse (possibly punctual) of the psychic treatment of its effects, this medical announcement in adolescence can constitute, afterwards, a new chance for these girls, with a potentially mutative value.

Integration Between Cerebral Hemispheres Contributes to Defense Mechanisms.

Defense mechanisms are mental functions which facilitate coping when real or imagined events challenge personal wishes, needs, and feelings. Whether defense mechanisms have a specific neural basis is unknown. The present research tested the hypothesis that interhemispheric integration plays a critical role in defense mechanism development, by studying a unique sample of patients born without the corpus callosum (agenesis of the corpus callosum; AgCC). Adults with AgCC (N = 27) and matched healthy volunteers (N = 30) were compared on defense mechanism use across increasing levels of developmental maturity (denial, least; projection, intermediate; identification, most). Narratives generated in response to Thematic Apperception Test images were scored according to the Defense Mechanism Manual. Greater use of denial and less identification was found in persons with AgCC, compared to healthy comparisons. This difference emerged after age 18 when full maturation of defenses among healthy individuals was expected. The findings provide clinically important characterization of social and emotional processing in persons with AgCC. More broadly, the results support the hypothesis that functional integration across the hemispheres is important for the development of defense mechanisms.

دراسة إکلنيکية لبعض حالات الأطفال مدمنى الألعاب الالکترونية فى مرحلة الطفولة المتوسطة

يستهدف البحث الحالى التعمق فى دراسة حالة لبعض الأطفال مدمنى الألعاب الالکترونية باستخدام المنهج الاکلنيکى للتعرف على الديناميات المميزة لشخصية الأطفال مدمنى الألعاب الالکترونية والکشف عن العوامل اللاشعورية والکامنة التى تدفع الأطفال إلى إدمان الألعاب الالکترونية والتعرف على البناء النفسى لهؤلاء الأطفال، وکذلک التعرف على بعض المشکلات النفسية المترتبة على إدمان الألعاب الالکترونية، وتکونت عينة الدراسة من أربع حالات من الأطفال مدمنى (3ذکور، 1 إناث) متوسط العمر الزمنى لهم 7 سنوات وخمسة أشهر، وتم استخدام استمارة المقابلة الاکلنيکية إعداد الباحثة، واستمارة تاريخ الحالة لصلاح مخيمر، واختبار تفهم الموضوع للصغار، وتوصلت نتائج الدراسة إلى التعرف على ديناميات الشخصية والعوامل اللاشعورية لهؤلاء الأطفال المدمنى للألعاب الالکترونية وقد ظهرت الصور السلبية فى البناء النفسى لديهم، وکذلک التوصل إلى أهم المشکلات النفسية المترتبة على إدمان الألعاب الالکترونية لدى الأطفال مثل اضطرابات النوم (الأرق)، والخوف، والشعوربالوحدة، کما أشارت النتائج إلى مجموعة من العوامل الکامنة وراء ادمان الألعاب الالکترونية هى وجود الأطفال فى بيئة تعجز عن إشباع حاجاتهم النفسية، وجود النماذج الوالدية العصبية، وتوتر المناخ الأسرى، فقدان الثقة بالنفس وفى الآخرين، وشعور الطفل بالتهديد المستمر من العالم الخارجى، تقليد سلوک الآباء فى استخدام الأجهزة الالکترونية عن طريق التعلم بالنمذجة أوالملاحظة. A Clinical Study on Some Cases of Middle Childhood Stage Children Addicted to Electronic Games By Dr. Hoda Elsayed Shehata Elsayed Lecturer of Mental Health Faculty of Education–Zagazig University Abstract: This thesis aims to study some cases of children addicted to electronic games. It used the clinical methodology in order to manifest the children's characteristic dynamics and the subconscious features implied in electronic games addiction. Moreover, it aims to reveal their psychological structure, and the psychological problems ascribed to electronic games addiction. The sample consisted of 4 cases of children (3 males and 1 female) with mean age 7 years and 5 months. A clinical interview form (prepared by the researcher), a case history form (by Salah Mekhamer), and the children's apperception test (CAT) were used. The result disclosed the personal dynamics and the subconscious features of those children. Furthermore, it exposed the negative images of their psychological structure as well as the most important psychological problems resulted from electronic games addiction such as: sleep disorders (insomnia), fear and loneliness. Finally, the study pointed at multiple factors implicated in electronic games addiction as: an environment that is unable to satisfy the children's psychological needs, neurotic parental models, stressful family climate, loss of confidence in oneself and in others, permanent feel of threats from the outside world or imitating parents' behavior of using the electronic devices (modeling or observational learning).

Validation of the Apperception Test God Representations: An implicit measure to assess attachment to God representations. Associations with explicit attachment to God measures and with implicit and explicit measures of distress

In the context of theistic religions, God representations are an important factor in explaining associations between religion/spirituality and well-being/mental health. Although the limitations of self-report measures of God representations are widely acknowledged, well-validated implicit measures are still unavailable. Therefore, we developed an implicit Attachment to God measure, the Apperception Test God Representations (ATGR). In this study, we examined reliability and validity of an experimental scale based on attachment theory. Seventy-one nonclinical and 74 clinical respondents told stories about 15 cards with images of people. The composite Attachment to God scale is based on scores on two scales that measure dimensions of Attachment to God: God as Safe Haven and God as Secure Base. God as Safe Haven scores are based on two subscales: Asking Support and Receiving Support from God. Several combinations of scores on these latter subscales are used to assess Anxious and Avoidant attachment to God. A final scale, Percentage Secure Base, measures primary appraisal of situations as nonthreatening. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed that the composite Attachment to God scale could be scored reliably. Associations of scores on the ATGR scales and on the explicit Attachment to God Inventory with scores on implicitly and explicitly measured distress partly confirmed the validity of the ATGR scales by demonstrating expected patterns of associations. Avoidant attachment to God seemed to be assessed more validly with the implicit than with the explicit scale. Patients scored more insecure on the composite Attachment to God scale and three subscales than nonpatients.

Are GRU Cells More Specific and LSTM Cells More Sensitive in Motive Classification of Text?

In the Thematic Apperception Test, a picture story exercise (TAT/PSE; Heckhausen, 1963), it is assumed that unconscious motives can be detected in the text someone is telling about pictures shown in the test. Therefore, this text is classified by trained experts regarding evaluation rules. We tried to automate this coding and used a recurrent neuronal network (RNN) because of the sequential input data. There are two different cell types to improve recurrent neural networks regarding long-term dependencies in sequential input data: long-short-term-memory cells (LSTMs) and gated-recurrent units (GRUs). Some results indicate that GRUs can outperform LSTMs; others show the opposite. So the question remains when to use GRU or LSTM cells. The results show (N = 18000 data, 10-fold cross-validated) that the GRUs outperform LSTMs (accuracy = .85 vs. .82) for overall motive coding. Further analysis showed that GRUs have higher specificity (true negative rate) and learn better less prevalent content. LSTMs have higher sensitivity (true positive rate) and learn better high prevalent content. A closer look at a picture x category matrix reveals that LSTMs outperform GRUs only where deep context understanding is important. As these both techniques do not clearly present a major advantage over one another in the domain investigated here, an interesting topic for future work is to develop a method that combines their strengths.

How to select a true leader?

Organizations mark the life of every individual, and the success and well-being of an individual largely depends on the success of organizations they belong to. The success of an organization is significantly influenced by those who are in charge of it, leaders or managers, so it is important for organizations to choose those who will do this job well. There is a large number of studies with the subject of successful leadership, and the dominant ones are those in which the traits of a successful leader are investigated. One of the traits identified as an important element of a leader’s success is the power motive. It consists of implicit and explicit dimensions, and the implicit dimension has been shown to be an important, and yet mostly overlooked, determinant of leadership performance. Measurement of the implicit dimension requires specially crafted instruments, including the “classic” Thematic Apperception Test, as well as recently introduced instruments such as the Implicit Association Test and the Conditional Reasoning Test for Power Motive. In this paper, we argue that introduction of the tests that assess implicit power motive to human resource management practice of business organizations might significantly improve selection procedures for leadership positions.

Clinical considerations in the psychological evaluation of gestational surrogates: uses of narrative assessment

Potential risks and ethical considerations inherent in surrogacy arrangements place tremendous responsibility on mental health professionals performing the necessary assessments, yet there is little discussion and no consensus on the best testing protocol. In the U.S., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) are the most common psychological measures used to screen gestational surrogates (GSs), although these self-report symptom inventories reveal tendencies to underreport, deny problems and present positive impressions that may conceal important clinical information. This study examines the utility of a multi-method approach in the psychological evaluation of GS candidates. A total of 43 women cleared to be GSs completed the PAI and an abbreviated protocol of a narrative construction assessment measure (The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)) as part of the psychological screening process. Findings of the study show that utilising a multi-method approach in the psychological consideration of a GS can address the limitations inherent in a single-measure assessment approach. Including a narrative measure such as the TAT that is less affected by defensiveness found on self-report scales may allow for more subtleties in interpretation, helping assessors to identify women who may have particular psychological vulnerabilities. These might then be addressed through implications counselling.

When's a story a story? Determining interpretability of Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale‐Global ratings on Thematic Apperception Test narratives

The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale-Global Rating Method (SCORS-G) measures the quality of object relations in narrative material. The reliability and validity of this measure have been well established. However, a psychometric oddity of this scale is that default ratings are given to select dimensions when the relevant construct is not present. This can result in narrative 'blandness' and may impact clinical findings. The aim of these two studies is to understand these phenomena both psychometrically and clinically. In the first study, we identified 276 outpatients who had SCORS-G ratings for TAT Cards 1, 2, 3BM, and 14, set criteria for narrative 'blandness' across all eight dimensions, and examined group differences. In Study 2, we used a subset (N = 99) of Study 1 and examined how percentage of formal default ratings for Emotional Investment in Values and Moral Standards (EIM), Experience and Management of Aggressive Impulses (AGG), Self-Esteem(SE), and Identify and Coherence of Self (ICS) impacted robustness of correlations across tests of intelligence, psychopathology, and normal personality functioning. Taken together, we identified clinical characteristics of patients who are more likely to produce 'bland' narratives and increased percentages of formal default ratings. Also, an excess of default ratings per protocol impacts robustness of correlations and weakens significant correlations. As cut-off scores increase (>25% and >28.12%), the likelihood of being able to interpret EIM, AGG, SE, and ICS decreases. Psychometric and clinical implications are discussed.

Handwriting Analysis and Blank Picture of Thematic Apperception Test in Relation to Richness of Imagination

Handwriting Analysis and Blank Picture of Thematic Apperception Test in Relation to Richness of Imagination

Cyberbullying among Normal and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder University Students (A Psychometric-Clinical Study)

The present study aimed to investigate cyberbullying among normal and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) university students based on some variables. Its population comprised (1312) students at Saudi universities and disability centers and covered a sample of (148) normal and ADHD students encountering cyberbullying. Two clinical case studies were conducted. The study adopted the descriptive and analytical method, as well as the clinical approach. It utilized the cyberbullying scale, interview form, and Thematic Apperception Test. Results revealed the proliferation of some cyberbullying types among normal and ADHD university students. The cultural nature of the community affected the type of cyberbullying. Furthermore, there were differences in cyberbullying between normal and ADHD university students in favor of the ADHD students and between males and females, favoring the males. Such differences were caused by psychological and cultural variables .

ديناميات الشخصية لدي الموهوبين المبتکرين وغير المبتکرين بالمرحلة الثانوية (دراسة کلينيکيه)

هدف البحث الحالى إلى الکشف عن ديناميات الشخصية لدى الموهوبين المبتکرين والموهوبين غير المبتکرين بالمرحلة الثانوية، تکونت العينة السيکومترية من (75) طالبا وطالبة. وتکونت العينة النهائية الکلينيکية من طالبين بالمرحلة الثانوية، احدهما موهوب مبتکر والآخر موهوب غير مبتکر، في سن سنة. وتضمنت أدوات الدراسة من: استمارة متابعة للکشف المبدئي عن الطلاب الموهوبين والمبتکرين، ومقياس الکشف عن الموهبة، واختبار الشخصية المبتکرة، والمقابلة الشخصية، واختبار تفهم الموضوع التات (T.A.T)، وتوصلت نتائج الدراسة إلي وجود ارتباط موجب دال إحصائيا بين درجات طلاب العينة السيکومترية ( الذکور والإناث والعينة الکلية) في مقياس الکشف عن الموهبة ودرجاتهم في اختبار الشخصية المبتکرة (النتائج السيکومترية)، ووجود تباين في قوة بعض ديناميات الشخصية لدى الموهوبين المبتکرين والموهوبين غير المبتکرين (النتائج الکلينيکية). Abstract The current study aimed to identify the Personality Dynamics of the creative and non-creative talented at high school. The (psychometric) sample consisted of (75) male and female students. The final (clinical) sample consisted of two high school students, one of whom is a creative talented and the other is a non-creative talented aged 18 years. The study tools consisted of: the Early Identification Follow-up Form for Creative Talented Students, the Talented Rating Scale, the Creative Personality Test, Personal Interview, and Thematic Apperception Test (T.A.T). The results of the study concluded that there is a statistically significant correlation between the scores of students of the psychometric sample (male, female and the total sample) on the Gifted Rating Scale and their scores in the Creative Personality Test (psychometric results), and there is a variation in the strength of some Personality Dynamics among the creative and non-creative talented (clinical results).

A Case Study of Psychopathology and Personality Processes in Twins of Indian Origin

Twin studies have mostly focused on the pattern of maladaptive behaviour manifested by the twins and their biological basis but the findings have remained controversial till date. The present case study explores the psychopathology in 14 year old twins of Indian origin. They were referred for psychometric assessment and psychotherapy for their conduct problems. The tools administered on them during psychometric assessment are Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV (WISC-IV), Rorschach Inkblot Test (RIBT) and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). Findings are discussed in terms of the personality processes and relationship quality of the twins.

Linguistic determinants of formal thought disorder in first episode psychosis.

Thought disorder is a core feature of schizophrenia but assessment of disordered thinking is challenging, which may contribute to the paucity of mechanistic understanding of disorganization in early psychosis. We studied the use of linguistic connectives in relation to clinically quantified dimensions of thought disorder using automated speech analysis in untreated, first episode psychosis (FEPs) and healthy controls (HCs). 39 treatment-naïve, actively psychotic FEPs and 23 group matched HCs were recruited. Three one-minute speech samples were induced in response to photographs from the Thematic Apperception Test and speech was analysed using COH-METRIX software. Five connectives variables from the Coh-Metrix software were reduced using principle component analysis, resulting in two linguistic connectives factors. Thought disorder was assessed using the Thought Language Index (TLI) and the PANSS-8. Connective factors predicted disorganization, but not impoverishment suggesting aberrant use of connectives is specific to positive thought disorder. An independent t test comparing low and high disorganization FEPs showed higher load of acausal temporal connectives in high disorganization FEPs compared to low disorganization FEPs (mean [SD] in high vs low disorganization FEPs = 0.64 (1.1) vs -0.37 (1.02); t = 2.91, P = .006). Acausal-temporal connectives were not correlated with severity of symptoms or cognition suggesting connective use is a specific index of disorganized thinking rather than overall illness status. Clinical assessment of disorganization in psychosis is likely linked to the aberrant use of connectives resulting in an intuitive sense of incoherence. In early psychosis, thought disorder may be reliably quantifiable using automated syntax analysis.

Psychodynamic Assessment of Psychosis in Adolescence

Abstract. This article illustrates the 4-month follow-up projective case study of John, a 16-year-old boy hospitalized for below-threshold psychotic symptoms. Emphasizing the relevance of a psychodynamic approach to emerging psychosis, the authors briefly describe the psychoanalytical framework of the adolescent process theory as well as the French School projective method. The aim of the study is to show that this method of assessment does not fall into the criticized standpoints of naïve complacency or of excessive zealotry against early detection and intervention. On the contrary, the complementary use of both the Rorschach and the Thematic Apperception Test, alongside clinical interviews, was valuable in uncovering the complex heterogeneity of adolescent functioning. Results revealed core psychotic impairments of self-representation and thought processes as well as non-negligible psychological changes and transformation, which allowed for engagement in therapeutic treatments and reinforced a more positive prognostic outcome. Limitations regarding the short-term interval and the qualitative analysis of discrepancies are discussed.