Posted by Apperceptor on March 5, 2004, at 21:30:36
In reply to Projective tests ... are they worth it?, posted by Camille Dumont on March 5, 2004, at 20:45:59
Camille-
Projective tests have been called the most controversial issue in modern clinical psychology. The "hard science" research on them has been largely disappointing, but clinical experience often views them as an irreplaceable tool for really getting at the heart of the matter.
I currently give projective tests for my clinical training, and I absolutely love them. If you get them done, please try for a doctorally trained clinical psychologist who is reputable in personality assessment. You can contact the Society of Personality Assessment for referrals...website, I believe, is www.personality.org. These tests require a very high degree of clinical acumen to have any meaning, and in the wrong hands they can be dangerous.
To get your money's worth, it is essential that you be completely honest. There are heavy restrictions on the use of PTs, so you probably needn't worry that your results will return to haunt you.
The most common PT is the Rorschach Comprehensive System ("Exner System"). This uses the famous inkblots. You will be asked what you see, and later how you saw it. 10 cards, about 20-40 minutes. Nightmare to score :-).
Other common tests:
Thematic Apperception Test - 10-20 cards with pictures. You tell a "dramatic" story about what is going on. Takes 1 hour.
Sentence Completion - Literally fill in the blank. "I like......." etc.
Draw a Person / House-Tree-Person - you draw these things and they are interpreted. I am very leery of these, but I defer to the psychodiagnosticians with vastly more experience.
Childhood Hand that Disturbs - you draw a childhood picture, a hand, and a "hand that disturbs," meaning the most horrifying/disgusting hand you can imagine. Suprisingly useful, big in France & Italy.
Tautophone - VERY rare but some use it. You listen to a barely perceptible "conversation" and say what you think you heard being discussed. Questionable.
There are over 400 projectives, so if you are going to take one not here and want me to find you a description, let me know. You have a right to be informed about any and all tests you take, as well as how they will be used. Please exercise that right.
My best-
poster:Apperceptor
thread:320878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040303/msgs/320892.html