THE NATURE OF PROJECTIVE TESTS

Projective techniques, taken as a whole, tend to have the following distinguishing characteristics.

1. In response to an unstructured or ambiguous stimulus, examinees are forced to impose their own
structure and, in so doing, reveal something of themselves (such as needs, wishes, or conflicts).

2. The stimulus material is unstructured. This is a very tenuous criterion, even though it is widely
assumed to reflect the essence of projective techniques. For example, if 70% of all examinees perceive
Card V on the Rorschach as a bat, then we can hardly say that the stimulus is unstructured. Thus,
whether a test is projective or not depends on the kinds of responses that the individual is encouraged to
give and on how those responses are used. The instructions are the important element. If a patient is
asked to classify the people in a set of TAT cards as men or women, then there is a great deal of structure--the test is far from ambiguous. However, if the patient is asked what the people on the card are
saying, the task has suddenly become quite ambiguous indeed.

3. The method is indirect. To some degree or other, examinees are not aware of the purposes of the test;
at least, the purposes are disguised. Although patients may know that the test has something to do with
adjustment-maladjustment, they are not usually-aware in detail of the significance of their responses.
There is no attempt to ask patients directly about their needs or troubles; the route is indirect, and the
hope is that this very indirectness will make it more difficult for patients to censor the data they provide.

4. There is freedom of response. Whereas questionnaire methods may allow only for a "yes" or a "no,"
projective permit a nearly infinite range of responses.

5. Response interpretation deals with more variables. Since the range of possible responses is so broad,
the clinician can make interpretations along multiple dimensions (needs, adjustment, diagnostic
category, ego defenses, and so on). Many objective tests, in contrast, provide but a single score (such as
degree of psychological distress), or scores on a fixed number of dimensions or scales.

B. NATURE
A major distinguishing feature of projective techniques is to be found in their assignment
of a relatively unstructured task, i.e., a task that permits an almost unlimited variety of possible
responses. In order to allow free play to the individuals fantasy, only brief, general
instructions are provided. For the same reason, the test stimuli are usually vague or ambiguous.
The underlying hypothesis is that the way in which the individual perceives and interprets the
test material, or structures the situation, will reflect fundamental aspects of her or his
psychological functioning. In other words, it is expected that the test materials will serve as a
sort of screen on which respondents project their characteristic thought processes,
needs, anxieties, and conflicts.
Typically, projective instruments also represent disguised testing procedures, insofar as
test takers are rarely aware of the type of psychological interpretation that will be made of their
responses. Projective techniques are likewise characterized by a global approach to the
appraisal of personality. Attention is focused on a composite of the whole personality , rather
than on the measurement of separate traits. Finally, projective techniques are usually regarded
by their exponents as especially effective in revealing covert, latent, or unconscious aspects of

personality. Moreover, the more unstructured the test, it is argued, the more sensitive it is to
such covert material. This follows from the assumption that the more unstructured or ambiguous
the stimuli, the less likely they are to evoke defensive reactions on the part of the respondent.
Projective methods originated within a clinical setting and have remained predominantly
a tool for the clinician. Some have evolved from therapeutic procedures (such a s art therapy)
employed with psychiatric patients. In their theoretical framework, most projective techniques
reflect the influence of psychoanalytical concepts. There have also been scattered attempts to
lay a foundation for projective techniques in stimulus-response theory ad in perceptual theories
of personality. It should be noted, of course, that the specific techniques need not to be
evaluated in the light of their particular theoretical slants or historical origins. A procedure may
prove to be practically useful or empirically valid for reasons other than those initially cited to
justify its introduction.

Characteristics of projective Techniques

1. Ambiguous material:-Projective techniques often use ambiguous material to
which the subject must respond freely, often in descriptive form. Ambiguous
material means that every subject can interpret the test stimuli in his own way.
2. Evoke responses from unconscious:-Projective tests are based on the implicit
assumption that the stimuli evoke responses from unconscious of the subject
project his inner feeling in the test situation.
3. Multi dimensionality of responses:-The dimensions in which the subject can
respond are various as physical intellectual, social and emotional. There is more
freedom to respond against the unstructured stimuli of the tests.
4. Freedom to respond: The freedom projective tests provide full freedom to the
subject to respond to the test stimuli.
5. Holistic approach: It means that projective tests attempt to study the totality of
behavior; they do not explore the molecular behavior of the individual.
6. Answers are not right or wrong:-In projective tests the responses of the subject
are not scored or evaluate as right or wrong.
7. Purposes of the test are disguised: The purpose of projective test is not disclosed
to the subject otherwise he becomes test conscious and may hide his real feelings.

UNIT 1: DEFINITON AND NATURE OF PROJECTIVE TESTS

A.

DEFINITION:

Any of several methods asking for interpretation of an ambiguous stimulus, such as a,

hazy picture. In supplying a meaning, the person is thought to project his own beliefs,
concerns, and motives.
Psychological tests that ask people to respond to a standard set of stimuli that are vague
and ambiguous. These stimuli presumably evoke a persons feelings, needs, and
personality characteristics. People project their psychological reactions onto the test
stimuli.
A test that draws out unconscious conflicts and motives through free-association
responses to ambiguous stimuli.
Tests in which respondents are exposed to ambiguous stimuli; their interpretations of
these stimuli presumably yield information about various aspects of their personalities.
These tests are far more indirect. An ambiguous stimulus is presented, and the test taker
is asked what he sees in it or what he thinks will happen next. For example, the tester displays a
picture of people at work in a hospital operating room; thoughts and feelings attributed to
characters in the pictures disclose the respondents attitudes about work roles or about
surgery. So called projective techniques, in particular, provide little structure. The test
taker is free to project unconscious thoughts, wishes, and fears into the situation. The
householder who interprets the creak in the dark as a burglar may be more anxious than one
who interprets the same stimulus as a natural phenomenon and goes back to sleep.
C.

ASSESSING PERSONALITY FROM THE PSYCHOANALYTIC PERSPECTIVE

Freud drew on free associations, slips of the tongue, and most of all, dreams to assess
the personalities of his patients. This means, of course, that he relied on what his patients told
him. Other clinicians and psychologists have tried to standardize various techniques that tap the
unconscious. They use projective tests, in which subjects look at vague or ambiguous stimuli,
the respond with free association, either by describing what they see or by telling a story about
the stimulus. Since the subjects must provide the meaning themselves, their responses reflect
the projections of their own unconscious motives, thoughts, and feelings onto the test stimulus.
They way subjects interpret ambiguous material is supposed to reveal their personality
characteristics. Some of the ambiguous materials are highly abstract images such as inkblots;
other are concrete images, such as pictures of social situations.
According to Freudian and other psychodynamic theories, understanding peoples
personalities may require indirect methods to get information about unconscious motives and

conflicts, which subjects cannot report directly. One way to gain this kind of access is to use a
projective test.
D. THE ASSUMPTIONS OF PROJECTIVE TESTING
The word projective holds the key to understanding these tests. In general
projective tests are based on the assumption that people will project their needs, feelings, and
conflicts onto ambiguous stimuli. Thus, many psychologists believe that if people are asked to
respond to ambiguous stimuli such as inkblots or drawings, to give their associations to words,
or to draw objects without specific instructions, their responses will reveal these unconscious
needs, feelings, and conflicts. For example, if a woman is asked to say the first word that comes
into her mind when she hears the word mother, the answer will give a clue about her
unconscious concerns. Thus, the response rage could be an indication of hostility
between the subject and her mother. Two of the best-known projective tests are the Rorschach
Test and the thematic Apperception Test (TAT).

Name of
Defense
Mechanism

Description

Example

Repression

Burying a painful feeling or thought from

your awareness though it may resurface in
symbolic form. Sometimes considered a
basis of other defense mechanisms.

You can't remember your

father's funeral.>

Not accepting reality because it is too

painful.

You are arrested for drunk

driving several times but
don't believe you have a
problem with alcohol.

Regression

Reverting to an older, less mature way of

handling stresses and feelings

You and your roommate

have get into an argument so
you stomp off into another
room and pout

Projection

You get really mad at your

Attributing your own unacceptable thoughts
husband but scream that
or feelings to someone or something else
he's the one mad at you.

Splitting

Everything in the world is seen as all good

or all bad with nothing in between.

Denial

Attempting to avoid a painful thought or

Isolation of affect feeling by objectifying and emotionally
detaching oneself from the feeling

Displacement

Channeling a feeling or thought from its

actual source to something or someone
else.

You think your best friend is

absolutely worthless because
he forgot a lunch date with
you.
Acting aloof and indifferent
toward someone when you
really dislike that person
When you get mad at your
sister, you break your
drinking glass by throwing it
against the wall.

Psychological projection is a defense mechanism people subconsciously employ in order to cope with
difficult feelings or emotions. Psychological projection involves projecting undesirable feelings or
emotions onto someone else, rather than admitting to or dealing with the unwanted feelings. Have
you ever disliked someone only to become convinced that the person had a vendetta against you?
This is a common example of psychological projection. Luckily, there are methods you can use to
identify why you are projecting your emotions and put a stop to this coping mechanism.
The Basics of Psychological Projection
The theory of psychological projection was developed by Sigmund Freud, an Austrian psychologist
commonly referred to as the father of psychoanalysis. For this reason, psychological projection is
sometimes called Freudian projection. During his sessions with patients, Freud noticed that they
would sometimes accuse others of having the same feelings they themselves were demonstrating. By
engaging in this behavior, the patient was better able to deal with the emotions he or she was
experiencing.
The classic example of Freudian projection is that of a woman who has been unfaithful to her
husband but who accuses her husband of cheating on her. Another example of psychological
projection is someone who feels a compulsion to steal things then projects those feelings onto others.
She might begin to fear that her purse is going to be stolen or that she is going to be shortchanged
when she buys something.
Projection is not always as dramatic or as easily identifiable, however. An instance of projection that
most people can relate to is when they come across someone they do not like, but are forced to
interact with on a somewhat-polite level. For example, Jessica begins to resent her sister-in-law,
Carla, for being so close to her husband.
Jessica knows that she has to be nice to Carla for her husbands sake. Over time, however, Jessica
begins to notice that Carla does not like her either.
Whenever there is a family gathering, Jessica thinks that Carla is being snippy with her, especially
when Jessicas husband is in the room. Jessica explains to her husband that she has tried as hard as
she can, but the reason why she does not like Carla is because Carla does not like her. As you can see,
Jessica has projected her feelings of dislike and resentment onto Carla.
Why Do We Project?
As mentioned earlier, projection is used as a defense mechanism, and defense mechanisms are used
to cope with feelings and emotions that we have trouble expressing or coming to terms with.
To return to the Jessica and Carla example: Jessica has a hard time coming to terms with the fact
that she resents her sister-in-law. She may feel guilty about being jealous of the time Carla spends
with her husband, or she may worry that her feelings will be noticed by other members of the family,
who will then think badly of her. Jessica then subconsciously projects her feelings onto Carla which
gives her an excuse for disliking her. Instead of having to face these feelings of dislike and
resentment on her own, she is able to project her feelings on another person.
Psychological projection is one of many defense mechanisms people engage in on a regular basis.

Projection
This involves individuals attributing their own thoughts, feeling and motives to
another person. Thoughts most commonly projected onto another are the ones that
would cause guilt such as aggressive and sexual fantasies or thoughts. For instance,
you might hate someone, but your superego tells you that such hatred is unacceptable.
You can 'solve' the problem by believing that they hate you.
PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES
Based on a premise that the description of vague objects requires
interpretation, and this interpretation can only be based on the individuals
own background, attitudes and values.
It provides psychological mask to respondents so they can be more candid in
their responses

Vague

(of persons) not clear or definite in thought, understanding, orexpression:

vague about his motives; a vague person.
: not clea r in meani ng : stated in a way tha t is gen eral an d not

speci fi c
: not th in king or expressi ng you r thou ghts clea rly or precise ly
: not compl etely forme d or devel oped