Rorschach Method Research Articles

Under Skinner's Skin: Gauging a Behaviorist From His Rorschach Protocol

Behaviorism and psychodynamic psychology have been regarded as polar opposites. Contrary to popular belief, B. F. Skinner took an interest in Freud and many of his concepts, and agreed to be tested with the Rorschach method and the Thematic Apperception Test by Roe in her study of scientists (Roe, 1953). We looked for signs of creativity defined as complex responses, an intriguing emotional tone, novelty, and liveliness. Skinner displayed an enormous number of responses characterized by simplicity, an intellectualized tone, a driven quality rather than creative complexity, and a sense of strained social relationships and lack of liveliness. The findings are in line with Roe's study of other scientists. Skinner's intellectual productivity and high ambition fits well with the commanding figure history describes.

Avaliação psicológica de pacientes com anorexia e bulimia nervosas: indicadores do Método de Rorschach

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o funcionamento lógico, afetivo e a adaptação social de pacientes com Anorexia Nervosa (AN) e Bulimia Nervosa (BN). A amostra foi composta por 27 participantes. Para coleta dos dados foi utilizado o Método de Rorschach. Os dados foram codificado e interpretados segundo as normas da Escola Francesa. Os resultados indicaram que os participantes apresentam capacidade produtiva e desejo de estabelecerem relacionamentos afetivos. Todavia, são facilmente invadidos por uma carga de afetos que não conseguem modular, o que os predispõe ao isolamento social, que gera acúmulo de inquietações e ansiedades introjetadas. A incapacidade de elaborar a tensão interna resultante os leva a escoar a ansiedade pela via somática. Evidenciou-se o comprometimento das funções psíquicas dos pacientes com AN e BN, o que indica a necessidade de acompanhamento psicoterapêutico integrado à assistência da equipe multiprofissional.

Indicadores de comorbidade em pacientes com Transtorno de Pânico avaliados pelo Método de Rorschach

This article aims to show psychopathology indicators obtained in a sample of patients with Panic Disorder from the Rorschach Method. In short, Panic Disorder can be characterized as a condition of extreme anxiety, without an apparent reason, experienced repeatedly and that can lead to a physical or mental paralysis and the sense of impending doom or death; it is not unusual the occurrence of panic comorbidity along with other conditions of psychic suffering. The Comprehensive System for the Rorschach presents six constellations that show elements of psychopathological nature or psychic suffering. Sixty subjects of both sexes participated in the investigation, equally divided into a group of patients and a group of non-patients. Results showed statistically significant differences in two constellations: higher incidence of PTI (p=0.002) in male patients, showing that men with Panic

Countertransference in the Rorschach Situation as a Clue to the Patient’s Affective Functioning

The Rorschach inkblot method (RIM) is a procedure that challenges an individual’s capacities for regulating affective experience. An individual who cannot self-regulate and needs an external agent to do so will find the Rorschach task particularly difficult. Distress is a manifestation of self-regulating difficulties which can lead to interpersonal regulation. Projective identification is a mechanism for regulating intense affects which has been linked with countertransference, and has been defined as the reactions and manifestations in the person of the analyst to the contents projected into him by the patient. Therefore, the clinician’s reactions to his patient are now considered important sources of information about the patient’s mental functioning. In the present study, we empirically evaluated the examiner’s experience and CS variables related to affect regulation, in order to see if it can be used as a source of information about the mental functioning of patients. A sample of 30 participants were administered the Rorschach, and both participants and examiners self-reported their affective experience of the Rorschach situation with the PANAS-m. We found that the emotional experiences of the examinee that have the strongest impact on the examiner (hostile, overwhelmed-invaded, emptied) seem to possess a specific quality. They appear to consist of important aspects of the experience of distress (overwhelmed-invaded and emptied), with hostile features. When looking at CS variables, affect regulation linked variables were found to be generally unrelated to the examiner’s affective experience during the administration of the RIM, except for the affective ratio (Afr), which appeared to be somewhat protective of an interpersonal communication of sadness and emptiness. However, indicators of self and interpersonal perceptions from the CS were found to be quite strongly related to the examiner’s experience during the administration: Morbid content (MOR) and aggressive movement (AG). Thus, a reduced interest in emotional events, a pessimistic view of the self and the anticipation of aggressive exchanges with others appear to be associated with a tendency to regulate painful affects or distress interpersonally.

An analysis of personality in patients with glossodynia by the Rorschach method

An analysis of personality in patients with glossodynia by the Rorschach method

Prefrontal functional asymmetry during Rorschach Inkblot Method and a visual task as measured by NIRS

Prefrontal functional asymmetry during Rorschach Inkblot Method and a visual task as measured by NIRS

Association between hemodynamic changes and subjective depressive/anxious mood by Rorschach inkblot method

Association between hemodynamic changes and subjective depressive/anxious mood by Rorschach inkblot method

Self-Perception in Andean Quechua-Speaking Children Entering School Using the Rorschach Method

Using the Rorschach Psychodiagnostic Test, this study examines self-perception in Andean Quechua-speaking children beginning their education in Spanish. A comparative analysis was made between 30 Quechua-speaking children from a community in the Peruvian Andes and 30 Spanish-speaking children from the Lima, Peru, all 6 and 7 years old. Student’s t-test and Z-test statistical analyses were used to compare data. Results show significant differences in self-concept (self-perception) for morbid content (MOR) between groups as well as for structural variables included in the Rorschach analysis. Quantitative data also illustrate the disparity between both groups and age-related norms published by Exner. Different aspects of validity for the Rorschach test are discussed as well as educational issues, considering this culturally heterogeneous population that has rarely been studied or made itself accessible to evaluation.

The Rorschach in Brazilian Children

This study explores the normative patterns of children’s responses to the Rorschach. A total of 180 Brazilian children between 9–11 years were selected for the study, presenting indicators of typical development and equally distributed in terms of gender, age, and school origin. Participants were assessed individually, using a child development questionnaire, the Raven’s Progressive Matrices Test, and the Rorschach Method (French Approach). The Rorschach protocols were analyzed by three independent judges. To date, 140 protocols have been coded, with their data being reported in average results. Productivity and rhythm indicators: R = 16.1; TLm = 17.2s; TRm = 33.4s. Apprehension modes: G = 44.3%; D = 33.0%; Dd = 22.0%. Determinants and formal quality: F% = 63.1%; F +% = 76.7%; F + ext% = 76.3%. Most evocated contents: A% = 57.5%; H% = 21.4%. Predominant affective reaction styles were studied. Although partial, the present results are promising as they provide an update of existing normative date for children between the age of 9 and 11. This study can help further the sociocultural understanding of the use of the Rorschach test with Brazilian children.

Rorschach and the WAIS-III after one and two years of psychotherapy

This study aimed at identifying what aspects of personality are modified after one and two years of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in adults attending a free university healthcare service in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The instruments were the Rorschach and the WAIS-III tests which were administered before and after one and two years of treatment. The participants were 34 adult individuals, both genders. After one year of psychotherapy in the Rorschach method there was an increase in effective and adaptive interpersonal relationship, an enhancement in sensitiveness related to the capacity of modulating affect, the need for close contact as well as the arousal of feelings of discomfort associated with intensification of self-regard, and a decrease in narcissistic tendencies. As well as in WAIS-III, there was an increase in motivation, attention and speed processing.

Localização e qualidade formal do Rorschach-SC no Brasil: validade com não-pacientes

Este estudo teve como objetivo buscar evidências de validade para o Atlas de Localização e a Lista de Qualidade Formal brasileiros para o Rorschach-SC. Utilizou-se uma amostra de não-pacientes composta por 46 adultos de ambos os gêneros, sendo 54% do sexo masculino, com idades entre 18 e 64 anos e variados níveis de escolaridade. Os instrumentos foram o Self Questionary Report (SRQ-20) e o Método de Rorschach. Análises comparativas, por meio da prova ANOVA, verificaram os indicadores de localização, que são W, D, Dd e Dd99, e os índices e porcentagens referentes à qualidade formal, que são FQo, FQu, FQ-, X+%, Xu%, XA%, X-% e WDA%. As comparações revelaram diferenças significativas nos índices Dd, Dd99, XA% e X-% e marginalmente significativa no índice FQ-. Na comparação com o grupo normativo, observaram-se diferenças entre grupos para os índices FQo, XA%, X+% e X-%. Os resultados revelaram evidências de validade para o atlas elaborado no Brasil.

Moving Rorschach Scoring Forward

A new scoring system called RN-Rorschach was developed in Norway to provide a simple system focusing on clinical usefulness, with acceptable psychometric properties and with a high level of compatibility with the Comprehensive System (CS). The Rorschach method is a demanding method, and the CS may be too complex for learning the basic aspects of the Rorschach method, especially for students in introductory courses. Experience from teaching in introductory courses indicates that the goal of a simple and useful system has been achieved. Data on psychometric properties indicate that interscorer reliability is generally high. Two overall iota (ι) estimates were found to be .85 and .93. Future developments of Rorschach scoring are discussed.

Características da personalidade de pais incestuosos por meio do Rorschach, conforme o Sistema Compreensivo

Adotando-se os criterios legais de estupro (artigo 213 do Codigo Penal Brasileiro) como delimitacoes para essa conduta ou sintoma interpessoal, a finalidade desse estudo foi a de investigar caracteristicas da personalidade de individuos responsabilizados criminalmente por estupros incestuosos. Participaram do estudo tres adultos do sexo masculino, com semelhantes condicoes sociais, demograficas e educacionais, presos em uma penitenciaria do estado de Sao Paulo pelos estupros das filhas biologicas. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista e do Metodo de Rorschach, no Sistema Compreensivo de Exner (2003). Para a analise dos resultados foram selecionadas as seguintes variaveis: defensividade, autopercepcao, capacidade de autocontrole, relacionamentos e percepcao interpessoal, afeto e processos cognitivos aplicados na adaptacao a realidade social. Ainda que estupradores nao se constituam como um grupo homogeneo e que nao haja um padrao de caracteristicas universais que os represente, os principais resultados permitiram constatar a insuficiencia de recursos subjetivos aplicados a percepcao de si mesmos e a percepcao do outro, dados que foram convergentes com os comumente retratados na literatura sobre psicologia de agressores sexuais.

Combining Paper-and-Pencil Questionnaires and Projective Techniques to Measure Family Distance Regulation and Interpersonal Relatedness

This paper explores incremental and convergent validity through the combined use of a self-report paper-pencil instrument (known as the Family Intrusiveness Scale) and the Rorschach projective method. Both methodologies were employed to assess family processes vis-à-vis distance regulation and interpersonal relatedness. Evidence supporting the use of this mixed-method strategy was generated in the significant associations found between family intrusiveness and projective method subscale scores in the areas of cooperation and personalization. Future directions regarding the innovative use of mixed-method strategies in the family field are discussed.

Rorschach Comprehensive System Data for a Sample of 409 Adult Nonpatients From Brazil

This is a normative study with 409 adult nonpatients living in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The Rorschach was administered by a team of nine psychologists; eight had had further training in the Rorschach method by the Brazilian Rorschach Society and one intensively was prepared by the project coordinator. Of the study participants, 200 lived in the state capital (São Paulo) and the other 209 were in other large and small cities in the state, including a coastal city and one in the mountains. Previous psychological or psychiatric treatments were criteria for exclusion. Each protocol was coded independently by two examiners, and then agreement of the two codings was checked. Differences between the two codings were discussed in a meeting of the whole team, which was supervised by the project coordinator to guarantee codification quality control. Upon completion of the codings, an analysis of examiner differences was undertaken, the results of which are in the text. Interrater reliability statistics among examiners were calculated, including percentage of agreement and kappa. Reliability statistics among examiners at the response level are presented as are Comprehensive System (CS; 1999, 2003) findings.

The procedures and clinical availability of Rorschach method, TAT, SCT and various questionnaire methods for psychological clinical practice of depression: A discussion of practical use and test battery of questionnaire methods and projective techniques.

The procedures and clinical availability of Rorschach method, TAT, SCT and various questionnaire methods for psychological clinical practice of depression: A discussion of practical use and test battery of questionnaire methods and projective techniques.

Methodological problems in Rorschach research

Comprehensive System of Rorschach interpretation is considered as nomotetic system that makes possible using of projective method in research projects. However, research use of Rorschach method besides of appropriate knowledge of assign procedures and interpretation rules, means a knowledge of specific methodological issues. The Rorschach indicators are nor independent, as they are a part of specific net, so in some research it is necessary to control basic variables not to get artifacts in our research. This is basically relied on researches where we compare groups, as well as in normative studies where through cross-cultural we compare Rorschach indicators. .

When Homer Nods: An Examination of SomeSystematic Errors in Rorschach Scholarship

Considerable evidence has demonstrated that many scientists attempt to avoid disconfirmation of a favored theory. This tendency sometimes characterizes the scholarship of both those who favor the Rorschach (Exner, 2000) method and those who find it seriously flawed. Psychologists who use the Rorschach impressionistically are not deterred by the literature demonstrating that this procedure has thus far shown little established validity. Those who criticize the Rorschach dismiss the objectivity of the American Psychological Association (APA) Blue Ribbon Panel, which concluded that the test has proven validity, and by implication, they also dismiss the APA peer review process that approved the panel report. In addition, they ignore over 400 published studies showing the Rorschach has acceptable validity when responses are scored objectively.

A Critical Review on Using the Rorschach Method in Somatic Illnesses

The Rorschach Inkblot Method is widely used in psychological assessment. Is it valid and clinically useful in the specific context of somatic illness? The goal of this article is to give synthetic arguments for deciding which Rorschach-derived measures to adopt in assessing individuals. Therefore, we reviewed three research directions in which this instrument has been applied and discuss methodological issues: (1) content scoring procedures of ego solidity and dependency, (2) the assessment of alexithymia, and (3) the prediction of self-care behaviors. This review identifies the main issues in using Rorschach in this field as being construct and discriminant validity. Future validation research should be developed and emphasize prevalidated external criteria and longitudinal designs.

Rorschach Characteristics in Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personality characteristics in adolescents with SLE. The research design is a case-control study by means of the Rorschach Method and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Study group: 30 female adolescents with lupus, 12–17 years of age. The SLE Disease Activity Index was administered during the period of psychological evaluation. Control group: 32 nonpatient adolescents were matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic level. In the Wechsler Intelligence Scale the mean IQ of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group (77 and 98, respectively, p < .001). In the Rorschach, the lupus patients showed greater difficulty in interpersonal interactions, although they displayed the resources to process affect and to cope with stressful situations. A positive moderate correlation (p = .069) between the activity index of the disease and the affect constriction proportion of the Rorschach was observed: the higher the SLEDAI score, the lower the capacity to process affect. There is a negative correlation between the activity index of the disease and the IQ (p = .001): with a higher activity index of the disease, less intellectual resources are available.