Projective test its objectives, types and procedures

Projective Test:

1:- Definition:

 A projective test is a personality test in which an individual is asked to react to unclear or ambiguous stimuli that reveal inner feelings and confusion. According to psychology, a projective test is a type of personality test in which the individual is asked to react to ambiguous scenes, words, and pictures. These types of questions were developed by the psychoanalytic school of thought, which proposed that individuals possess unconscious thoughts and tendencies. These tests aim to tap into these access unconscious hidden desires that did not come within the realm of conscious awareness.

 

2:- How do Projective Tests Work?

In most projective tests the candidate is shown a vague picture and asked to express the first thought or concept that comes to mind about the picture at first sight. The ambiguity of the stimulus is the most important point of the projective test. Underlying these tests is the theory that responses to clearly stated questions are the result of careful conscious manipulation, while responses are the results of careful conscious technique whereas subconscious stimulant or attitudes are revealed through unclear questions.

 

3:- Types of Projective Tests:

There are several different types of project tests. Some of the main types of project tests are described below.

 

i:- Rorschach Inkblot Test:

 

Rorschach Inkblot is one of the earliest type of projective tests and one of the best projective tests. It was introduced in 1921 by Hermann Rorschach, a Swiss psychologist. Ten different cards are used in this test that depict an enigmatic blob of ink. A person participant in the test is shown one card at a time and asked what he/she sees in the picture. The reactions are recorded exactly word to word. Gestures, tone and other components of the response are also noted. Different scoring systems used by examiners to combine results can cause change in the results.

 

 

The Thematic Apperception Test:

(TAT)

In this test, a person is shown a series of ambiguous scenes. The candidate is then asked to narrate a story related to the scene - which includes the events, characters' emotions and the protagonist in those scenes. Later the examiner compiles the test results keeping infront the needs of the story, stimulations, confusions and problems of characters and the final conclusion.

 

Strengths and weaknesses of Projective Tests:

 

i:- Projective tests are used a lot in relation to treatment. Oftentimes, physicians use these tests to obtain standardized information about a patient. Some practitioners use these tests as an ice-breaking tool to get to the bottom of a patient's deep-seated feelings and thoughts about an issue or they can provide the motivation to the patients to open up about their problems.

 

ii:- Along with their advantages, projective tests also have several drawbacks and are limited in functionality in many respects. For example, a candidate's answers may be influenced by the attitudes of the examiner or the environment of the examination room. Psychological factors and elements also affect the process of compiling the results of these tests, so the interpretation of the results of these tests varies dramatically from one examiner to another.