Projective Tests

ALCARAZ, PAUL JOSHUA T.
MACARAIG, MCDEL ARCANGEL

CULLA, DANIEL
PROJECTIVE TESTS
a projective test is a personality test designed to let a person
respond to ambiguous stimuli, presumably revealing hidden
emotions and internal conflicts projected by the person into the test.
This is sometimes contrasted with a so-called "objective test" or
"self-report test" in which responses are analyzed according to a
presumed universal standard (for example, a multiple choice exam),
and are limited to the content of the test. The responses to
projective tests are content analyzed for meaning rather than being
based on presuppositions about meaning, as is the case with
objective tests. Projective tests have their origins in psychoanalytic
psychology, which argues that humans have conscious and
unconscious attitudes and motivations that are beyond or hidden
from conscious awareness.
The general theoretical position behind projective tests is that
whenever a specific question is asked, the response will be
consciously-formulated and socially determined.
Types of Projective Tests

The most famous projective test is the Rorschach Inkblot Test.
The test is composed 5 black and white inkblot cards and 5
colored inkblot cards that an individual is shown and then asked
to tell the professional what they see. The most popular scoring
system for the Rorschach is the Exner system, developed in the
1970s. Responses are scored based the location described in the
inkblot, and its determinants the things in the blot that
prompted the persons response. So yes, for the Rorschach there
are answers that are more right than others.
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is comprised of 31 cards

that depict people in a variety of situations. A few contain only
objects and one card is completely blank. Often only a small
subset of the cards is given (such as 10 or 20). The person
viewing the card is asked to make up a story about what they see.
The TAT is not often formally scored; instead its a test designed
to try and distinguish recurring themes in the persons life. The
pictures
themselves
have
no
inherent
or
correct
story;
therefore anything a person says about the picture may be an

unconscious reflection into the persons life or inner turmoil.
TECHNIQUES
Projective techniques involve asking subjects to interpret or fill in visual
stimuli, complete sentences, or report what associations particular words
bring to mind. Because of the leeway provided by the tests, subjects
project their own personalities onto the stimulus, often revealing personal
conflicts, motivations, coping styles, and other characteristics.The best
known projective test is the Rorschach test, created in the 1920s by Swiss
psychologist Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922). It consists of a series of 10
cards, each containing a complicated inkblot. Some are in black and white,
some in color. Subjects are asked to describe what they see in each card.
Test scores are based on several parameters: 1) what part of the blot a
person focuses on; 2) what particular details determine the response; 3)
the content of the responses (what objects, persons, or situations they
involve); and 4) the frequency with which a particular response has been
given by previous test takers. A number of different scoring methods have
been devised for the Rorschach test, some aimed at providing greater
objectivity and validity for this highly impressionistic form of assessment.
However, many psychologists still interpret the test freely according to
their subjective impressions. Some also take into account the subject's
demeanor
while
taking
the
test
(cooperative,
anxious,
defensive,
etc.).Another widely used projective test is the Thematic Apperception

Test (TAT) introduced at Harvard University in 1935 by Henry Murray. Test
takers look at a series of up to 20 pictures of people in a variety of
recognizable settings and construct a story about what is happening in
each one. They are asked to describe not only what is happening at the
moment shown in the picture but also what events led up to the present
situation and what the characters are thinking and feeling. They are
encouraged to interpret the pictures as freely and imaginatively as they
want and to be completely open and honest in their responses. As with the
Rorschach
test,
the
psychologist
often
interprets
the
test
results
subjectively, focusing on any recurring themes in responses to the

different pictures. However, scoring methods have also been developed
that focus on specific aspects of the subjects' responses, including
aggression, expression of needs, and perceptions of reality.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that projective test is just a part of a peronality test but they
have differences, projective test have varied responses and there is no
right and wrong answer of clinents or participants.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that projectve test should also be use as intelligence test.

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ALCARAZ, PAUL JOSHUA T.

MACARAIG, MCDEL ARCANGEL

Types of Projective Tests

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is comprised of 31 cards

therefore anything a person says about the picture may be an

etc.).Another widely used projective test is the Thematic Apperception

subjectively, focusing on any recurring themes in responses to the

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