Rorschachtest

The Rorschach test and the Rorschach test ( vulgo inkblot test, actually: Rorschach form deuterium experiment) is a psycho- diagnostic test method for which the Swiss Hermann Rorschach ( 1884-1922 ) developed his own theory of personality and was later connected with the theories of the Freudian school. It belongs to the so-called projective tests and is used by psychoanalysts and psychiatrists with the aim to capture the overall personality of the subject. Originally referring to the term " psycho- diagnostics," only in this method.

History

The interpretation of Klecksographien ( Faltbilder ) was common in the 19th century (for example, Justinus Kerner ). An early scientific publication on the subject is the 65seitige thesis of Eugen Bleuler 's student Szymon Hens " imagination test with shapeless blobs in school children, normal adults and mentally ill ", Zurich 1917.

The Rorschach test was published in 1921 after previously other attempts to draw conclusions about the personality of Faltbildern had failed. Rorschach came to develop his form deuterons process in contact with the psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud, who explored the role of the unconscious. In the 1930s and 1940s, the test took place in Europe and in the United States widespread. From the 1970s to John E. Exner, the process of which there are several large "schools" were mainly in the United States, to unify tried ( CS - "Comprehensive System"). In Europe the standard work of Ewald Bohm applies to the Rorschach test as a reference.

Methodology

The test consists of ten panels with specially prepared ink blot patterns. There are nearly a dozen parallel series, most of which are not freely available in stores worldwide. The she -applying psychologists consider it important that the images will not be shown publicly, thus influencing the test by anticipations ( also often false information circulated on the Internet or in "Test geezer books " ) is avoided. The panels will be displayed in a fixed order, with the note that the panels can be rotated, and the subject is asked, " What could that be? " In this case, the psychologist pointed out that there is no " right" or " wrong " give answers. During the test subject looks at the boards, he noted statements, handling ( rotations ) of the card as well as response times.

Evaluation

The evaluation is based on five main aspects:

• Locating, what parts of the panels indicates the person
• The determinants, which aspects (shape, color, shading, movement, intermediate figures) of the panel, the answer refers.
• Content, that is what is perceived on the boards.
• The frequency with which responses occur in many subjects ( originality, banality )
• The particular phenomena, ie the observable over the pure interpretations addition, phenomena such as delays, stupor, response, and response times etc.

By means of the subsequent securing stage, the responses to be signed, i.e., for each individual response, it is checked whether the user has also properly detected, as the subject, it has also meant. Each response is referred to with regard to the first four major aspects.

Examples:

Even the signing requires much expertise and a precise, objective way of working.

By setting off other aspects come to light, such as succession, recording type, event type, color type, and the relative abundance of certain types of content (for example, animal interpretations ) or acquisition modes (for example, full responses).

Controversy

The Rorschach test is controversial for several reasons; the inkblot images are a priori meaningless, so go critics believe that the interpretation of the form deuterium experiments can also be influenced by the psychologist and his subjective impressions and prejudices. Reliability and validity are largely unknown. According to the critics of the deuteron form test can at best provide information on aspects of the personality, and at worst simply lead to incorrect results.

Users claim that the evaluation by experts is safe and reliable. The Rorschach test could represent many areas of personality, could not capture the other psychological tests. He was also largely forged. This is mainly because that the data collected must complement and support each other to create a harmonious overall picture.

This assessment is supported adequately by scientific research. The problem of lack of reliability and validity is, as with other projective methods, not yet solved, since the variety of combinations and the resulting individual always varying interpretations of the test factors are not quantifiable. Attempts to standardize the test, about Bruno Klopfer already suggested (1946 ), or as it is about the American John E. Exner has tried to make out the test, a new procedure with the original Rorschach test, only the name and the test material has in common.

Cultural differences

When comparing the normative data for the North American Exner system of European or South American subjects arise partly differences in important variables, whereas, for example, the average number of responses is the same. The differences in the quality of the molds is partly cultural. How to Identify French on board 8 a chameleon, which is considered at other peoples as an unusual response, are in Scandinavia for table 2 Christmas Nisse called and Japanese recognize on Plate 4, a musical instrument.

Dissemination

The Rorschach test is considered one of the most famous psychological tests.

Because he is frequently mentioned in popular media or even described, the view is widespread that one quickly with him, even after analysis could detect only one answer, a complex personality disorder or severe correctly. This is of course impossible. If not a verbatim record of all ten panels present at follow-up and response times, the assay is invalid. In addition, the determined personality traits at different points of the assay should be detectable.

Overall, it is already not allowed to take only because of the Rorschach test statements or even to make a full report. Reputable users use it in a whole test battery. This undergoes the test usually external review.

The panels with typical answers

The Americans Loucks and Burstein indicate some typical responses.

Table 2 two people

Table 3 gray: two people

Table 4 Animal skin or fur, large animal

Table 5 Bat, butterfly, moth

Table 6 Animal skin or fur, carpet

Plate 7 Top: Human heads or faces

Table 8 pink animal ( not dog or cat)

Table 9 orange: man

Table 10 blue: crab, lobster or spider