RORSCHACH TEST

Rorschach

The ink-blot test devised to study personality and diagnose psychopathologic conditions was introduced in 1921 by Hermann Rorschach. Rorschach, a Swiss psychiatrist, created the test as a series of ten symmetrical ink spots that a patient would be asked to interpret. Although previous psychiatrists used the ink-blot test in free-association exercises, they used the test to study thematic content. Rorschach believed that the test could be used for more complete evaluation of a patient's condition. Through systematic analysis of factors cited by the patient, such as attention to wholes or details, color, shading, and apparent movement in human form, Rorschach could detect psychological processes or structure of the patient's personality. He also believed patterns as reported by the patient would lead to the diagnosis of certain clinical disorders. The accuracy of the Rorschach ink-blot test has been challenged by some scientists. Nevertheless, it is widely used in many countries.

Source:

Ruth Bochner, Clinical Application of the Rorschach Test (New York: Grime & Stratton, 1942).

Rorschach test a type of projective test used in psychoanalysis, in which a standard set of symmetrical ink blots of different shapes and colours is presented one by one to the subject, who is asked to describe what they suggest or resemble. Also called ink-blot test. It is named after Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922), Swiss psychiatrist.

Rorschach Test A widely used projective test, developed by Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922) and influenced by psychoanalytic thinking, especially the idea of free association. The test explores personality by examining the subject's responses to relatively unstructured stimuli: ten symmetrical ink-blots. Various scoring systems analyse location, content, use of form and colour, comparing these with established norms.