Projective Personality Tests

Projective Test Have no clearly defined answers Use an open-ended format Present ambiguous stimuli and ask test taker to interpret what they see - The interpretation is thought to reveal information about their personality

Two most common projective personality tests are the Rorschach Inkblot Test Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Rorschach Inkblot Test Created by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach in 1921 Uses 10 official inkblots 5 black and white 2 black and red and white 3 multicolored

Rorschach Inkblot Person is shown card with inkblot and asked what they think it could be Responses to cards are interpreted according to the following factors: Location  responding to whole card or part of card? Determinants  responding to particular shaping, coloring, textures Content  the precise object that the test-taker is seeing Form  is the answer based on the actual shape of the blot, or are they seeing a different form entirely?

Thematic Apperception Test Created in the 1930’s by Harvard psychologist Henry Murray Involves a picture interpretation technique Test takers are shown ambiguous pictures and asked to create a story for the picture

TAT Subject’s story may include: What has led up to the event shown What is happening at the moment What the characters are feeling and thinking What the outcome of the story was

TAT Each story is carefully analyzed to uncover the test takers unconscious mind, including any Repressed aspects of personality Motives and needs for achievement Power and intimacy Problem solving abilities