Quantified judgments of mental health from the rorschach, TAT, and clinical status interview by means of a scaling technique

Ratio Scaling of Tat Need for Achievement through Application of a Paired-Comparisons Method, with a Test of Internal Consistency

A method for ratio scaling of projective personality variables was devised and tested in two studies, using the TAT and achievement motivation (n Ach). In Exp. I, 4 judges made direct ratio estimates of relative n Ach in all possible pairs of 8 Ss' TAT protocols (28 pairs). In Exp. II, 3 judges used the same procedure to estimate relative n Ach for all pairs of TAT stories told to the same card, rather than for four-story protocols (112 pairs). Ratio scale values correlated with traditional n Ach scoring between .86 and .91 in Exp. I, and .90 and .95 in II. The protocols represented two criterion groups with different n Ach. Ratio scores from Exp. II, but not from I, differentiated these groups as well as traditional scoring. A model was developed for testing the internal consistency of judges' ratio estimates, based on Comrey's work. It showed over 90% of the ratio estimates' variance accounted for by the linearity assumptions of the ratio scaling model. Advantages and problems in using the ratio scaling method were discussed.

The Scientific Status of Projective Techniques

Although projective techniques continue to be widely used in clinical and forensic settings, their scientific status remains highly controversial. In this monograph, we review the current state of the literature concerning the psychometric properties (norms, reliability, validity, incremental validity, treatment utility) of three major projective instruments: Rorschach Inkblot Test, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), and human figure drawings. We conclude that there is empirical support for the validity of a small number of indexes derived from the Rorschach and TAT. However, the substantial majority of Rorschach and TAT indexes are not empirically supported. The validity evidence for human figure drawings is even more limited. With a few exceptions, projective indexes have not consistently demonstrated incremental validity above and beyond other psychometric data. In addition, we summarize the results of a new meta-analysis intended to examine the capacity of these three instruments to detect child sexual abuse. Although some projective instruments were better than chance at detecting child sexual abuse, there were virtually no replicated findings across independent investigative teams. This meta-analysis also provides the first clear evidence of substantial file drawer effects in the projectives literature, as the effect sizes from published studies markedly exceeded those from unpublished studies. We conclude with recommendations regarding the (a) construction of projective techniques with adequate validity, (b) forensic and clinical use of projective techniques, and (c) education and training of future psychologists regarding projective techniques.

Interpersonal Affect in Thematic Apperception Test Responses: A Scoring System

Affect toward "parental," "spousal," and "nonspousal" figures in TAT responses was evaluated. Positive and negative scores ranging from +2 to -2 were assigned to each story. Norms were based on frequent responses stimulus-pull and quality Of responses Test-retest rendered .88 similarity in affect and 86% in orientational others categories. Interscorer's agreements on affective scores ranged from .93 to .97 and interpersonal categories ranged from 96% to 98%. Higher positive "spousal" than "parental" and "nonspousal" affect was hypothesized to associate with marital adjustment. Thirty married Caucasian middle-class couples were individually interviewed. Cards 1, 2, 4, 6 GF, 10 13 FM and 16 as well as the Dyadic. Adjustment Scale were administered. Results, significant at .001 level, were discussed in terms of development in interpersonal choices.

Residency training and the later use of marital and family therapy in psychiatric practice

Marital and family therapy training during psychiatry residency was compared to later use, in practice, for 87 psychiatrists. Respondents reported modest to minimal amounts of training in residency but practiced marital and family therapy with a variety of problems, identified a spread of effect to other treatment modalities, and preferred marital and family therapy second only to individual therapy. These results suggest a trend towards incorporating marital and family therapy into psychiatry and also indicate levels of training which must be exceeded in order to achieve basic competency.