Advancing the science of psychological assessment: The Rorschach Inkblot Method as exemplar.

This article comments on a series of 5 articles, concerning the utility of the Rorschach Inkblot Method (RTM; R. M. Dawes, see record 1999-11130-006; J. Hiller et al, see record 1999-11130-005; J. Hunsley and J. M. Bailey, see record 1999-11130-004; G. Stricker and J. R. Gold, see record 1999-11130-002; and D. J. Vigilone, see record 1999-11130-003). Two of the articles provide extensive empirical evidence that the RIM has been standardized, normed, made reliable, and validated in ways that exemplify sound scientific principles for developing an assessment instrument. A 3rd article reports a meta-analysis, indicating that the RIM and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory have almost identical validity effect sizes, both large enough to warrant confidence in using these measures. The other 2 articles adduce sketchy data and incomplete literature reviews as a basis for questioning the psychometric soundness of Rorschach assessment. Unwarranted skepticism should not be given credence as an adequate platform from which to challenge abundant evidence that the RIM works very well for its intended purposes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Criterion-related validity of Rorschach analogues of dissociation.

The validity of Rorschach indicators of dissociation was evaluated using scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) as the standard. Results indicated that participants with Rorschach indicators of dissociation scored significantly higher on the DES than did those without the indicators. Also, incremental changes from 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 Rorschach indicators were associated with increased dissociation as measured by the DES. Viewed from DES measurement of dissociation, Rorschach analogues of dissociation identified a distinctive group that is characterized by strong dissociative tendencies and did not tap the less intense dissociative phenomena common to general psychiatric populations and to nonclinical samples. The Rorschach indicators of dissociation were able to be scored reliably and remained stable at retest. As indirect measures, Rorschach indicators are less subject to distortions stemming from defensiveness or tendencies to manipulate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The social psychology of Rorschach validity research.

An analysis of the research extant in the literature on the validity of the Rorschach, revealed that there was a relationship between where the research was done (academic, nonacademic settings) and type of validity study (construct, criterion, i.e., theoretical or practical validity). Ramifications of these findings with regard to formulation and interpretation of studies on the Rorschach were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparative meta-analysis of Rorschach and MMPI validity.

Two previous meta-analyses concluded that average validity coefficients for the Rorschach and the MMPI have similar magnitudes (L. Atkinson, 1986; K. C. H. Parker et al, see record 1989-14153-001), but methodological problems in both meta-analyses may have impeded acceptance of these results (H. N. Garb et al, see record 1998-11225-011). We conducted a new meta-analysis comparing criterion-related validity evidence for the Rorschach and the MMPI. The unweighted mean validity coefficients (r?s) were .30 for MMPI and .29 for Rorschach, and they were not reliably different (p = .76 under fixed-effects model, p = .89 under random-effects model). The MMPI had larger validity coefficients than the Rorschach for studies using psychiatric diagnoses and self-report measures as criterion variables, whereas the Rorschach had larger validity coefficients than the MMPI for studies using objective criterion variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity of Rorschach Inkblot scores for discriminating psychopaths from nonpsychopaths in forensic populations: A meta-analysis.

Gacono and Meloy (2009) have concluded that the Rorschach Inkblot Test is a sensitive instrument with which to discriminate psychopaths from nonpsychopaths. We examined the association of psychopathy with 37 Rorschach variables in a meta-analytic review of 173 validity coefficients derived from 22 studies comprising 780 forensic participants. All studies included the Hare Psychopathy Checklist or one of its versions (Hare, 1980, 1991, 2003) and Exner's (2003) Comprehensive System for the Rorschach. Mean validity coefficients of Rorschach variables in the meta-analysis ranged from ?.113 to .239, with a median validity of .070 and a mean validity of .062. Psychopathy displayed a significant and medium-sized association with the number of Aggressive Potential responses (weighted mean validity coefficient = .232) and small but significant associations with the Sum of Texture responses, Cooperative Movement = 0, the number of Personal responses, and the Egocentricity Index (weighted mean validity coefficients = .097 to .159). The remaining 32 Rorschach variables were not significantly related to psychopathy. The present findings contradict the view that the Rorschach is a clinically sensitive instrument for discriminating psychopaths from nonpsychopaths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Two methods for studying the incremental validity of a Rorschach variable.

The MMPI can be scored by a clerk. Also, both the number and form level of Rorschach responses can be easily assessed. Other Rorschach variables should be examined for their incremental validity beyond number of responses and form level, or from these variables plus simple MMPI variables. This study applied multiple regression analyses to 2 data sets with reasonable criteria of pathology that were predicted by W. Perry and D. J. Viglione's (see record 1991-26233-001) Ego Impairment Index considered alone. The index had only slight incremental validity over and above the number of responses and form quality, and even less when the average MMPI elevation and L. R. Goldberg's (see record 2011-19214-001) formula for predicting psychosis versus neurosis were entered before these Rorschach variables. Another way of assessing incremental validity is through the use of unit weights, that is, adding standardized variables weighted equally rather than optimally. The unit-weighted incremental validity analysis resulted in the same conclusions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construct validity of the Rorschach Oral Dependency Scale: 1967–1995.

A review of research examining the construct validity of J. M. Masling, L. Rabie, and S. H. Blondheim's (1967) Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD) scale as a measure of interpersonal dependency revealed that this scale has demonstrated good interrater reliability, and that evidence regarding the convergent and discriminant validity of the ROD scale is generally strong. Mixed results have been obtained in studies assessing the internal reliability of ROD scale scores. There have been very few studies examining the predictive validity and retest reliability of the ROD scale, and few studies assessing the relationship of ROD scores to scores on other objective and projective measures of dependency. Implications of these findings for laboratory and clinical research involving the ROD scale are discussed, and suggestions for future studies in this area are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Narcissism in the Rorschach revisited: Some reflections on empirical data.

This study investigates the extent to which the Rorschach was able to identify accurately pathological expressions of narcissism according to the methodological recommendations offered by T. Nezworski and J. Wood (1995) . Ninety-one patients who were found to meet DSM-IV criteria for an Axis II disorder (Cluster A personality disorders/&=/&10; antisocial/&=/&20, borderline/&=/&25, histrionic/&=/&5, narcissistic [NPD]/&=/&15; Cluster C personality disorders/&=/&16) and 50 nonclinical participants were compared on 5 Rorschach variables: reflection, pair, personalization, idealization, and the egocentricity index. The results of this study indicate that selected Rorschach variables can be used effectively to differentiate NPD patients from a nonclinical sample and from Cluster A, Cluster C, and other Cluster B personality disorders. Also, the reflection and idealization variables were found to be empirically related to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for NPD and a self-report measure of NPD. Finally, these 2 variables could be used for classification purposes in ways that were clinically meaningful in the diagnosis of NPD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some physiological correlates of Rorschach body image productions.

"The relationship between surface characteristics of Rorschach responses and physiological measures was investigated in order to test the hypothesis that the projected perception of one's body is related to the patterning of physiological responses… . Physiological indices related to bodily exterior (muscle potential, skin resistance, cardiovascular peripheral resistance) and bodily interior (pulse rate, stroke volume, cardiac output) physiological responsivity were abstracted… . The results indicate that the tendency to give impermeable or protective characteristics to Rorschach percepts is related to heightened physiological reactivity at an exterior body site and that the absence… is related to the heightened physiological response on interior indices… under stress." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some observations on the ideology of professional psychologists.

"Analysis of the value position of psychologists starts with an examination of certain of the intellectual postulates and biases of modern psychology. These contribute to what I call the ideology of professional psychologists… . Modern psychology derives its particular orientations in good measure from the social context of American life. The ideology of professional psychology, I shall argue, is linked to the antiphilosophical, antihistorical, narrowly means-oriented and optimistic character of much American thought and culture." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The validity of the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale with incarcerated offenders

Previous research has shown that the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale reliably predicts the adjustment capacity of various S types to a variety of situations. The present study investigated the efficacy of the RPRS to suggest the adjustment capacity of prisoners to various aspects of their institutional environment. Twenty-five male inmates of the Petersburg Federal Reformatory served as Ss. Group therapy, dormitory behavior, work progress adjustment ratings, and RPRS scores were obtained for each S. Intercorrelations among the adjustment measures and the RPRS total and component scores revealed no significant correlations between the adjustment measures and the RPRS total score. However, in employing a moximum R stepwise multiple correlation procedure with the RPRS compontnts, significant multiple Rs resulted for two of the three criterion measures. These results were discussed in terms of the earlier research with the RPRS, and suggestions for future research were made.     

Some observations on two methods in psychology.

Makes explicit distinctions between the experimental and the observational (or correlational) approaches. It is suggested that the observational approach involves a distinct set of problems for which controlled experimentation is inadequate. Basic statistical models are briefly considered. It is suggested that fixed models are not generally appropriate for the observational method and that random models do not normally yield useful information in a controlled experiment. In particular, it is contended that the magnitude of variances of a random model and of the error variance of both random and fixed models is generally arbitrary in experimental studies. It is suggested that a variety of coefficients associated with analysis of variance and regression models are inappropriate in an experimental setting and that accuracy of prediction, in the usual sense, is not a proper objective of experimentation. It is concluded that constructs developed through an observational approach are not likely to be useful in an experimental science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relation of response length to the Holtzman Inkblot Technique.

2 studies are presented which explore the relationship between the mean number of words an S uses in his responses to inkblots and the score pattern he obtains. Significant relations between Response Length (RL) and Holtzman Inkblot Technique scores are demonstrated in samples of juvenile delinquents and college students. 1 experiment is described which indicates that RL is 1 of the factors which determines Movement scores. The role of RL as a variable mediating some of the observed relations between personality and situational variables and inkblot scores is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some observations from an eclectic therapist.

Examines an eclectic approach to psychotherapy from a personal-historical as well as present-centered perspective. Seven factors that facilitate the choice of an eclectic position and 4 types of eclectic therapy are identified and briefly described. The 4th type, radical eclecticism, is subdivided into 2 forms. Each form is examined in some detail. Finally, anticipated objections to a radical eclectic position are set forth with counterarguments. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some considerations on the reliability and validity of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire for Adolescents.

Reviews the material presented in the S. A. Brown et al (see record 1988-28300-001) report on the reliability and validity of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire for Adolescents (AEQ-A). Data are presented that suggest that the reliability and validity of the AEQ-A remain to be fully established. A preliminary outline of a potential theoretical direction is provided that applies Rotter's Social Learning Theory (J. B. Rotter, 1954 and 1982) as a framework for future work with alcohol-related expectancies and other cognitive-behavioral research on alcohol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some observations on the microneurosurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms

This paper reports a retrospective study of the microneurosurgical management of intracranial aneurysm in 133 patients. Good or fair results were obtained in 76%, 12% of patients had a poor result and the mortality was 12%. Major factors which were found to influence the outcome of surgery were: pre-operatively, the Botterell grade of the patient, pre-existing systemic hypertension and the time interval between the last subarachnoid haemorrhage and surgery. Post-operatively, the development of cerebral vasospasm was associated with a poor outcome from surgery. Better results might be obtained from the surgery of intracranial aneurysm by delaying operation to the second week after subarachnoid haemorrhage and by better management of hypertensive patients pre-operatively and patients who develop cerebral vasospasm post-operatively.     

MMPI, Rorschach, and WAIS: A meta-analytic comparison of reliability, stability, and validity.

We estimated the average reliability, stability, and validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Rorschach Inkblot Test, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) from articles published in the Journal of Personality Assessment and the Journal of Clinical Psychology between 1970 and 1981. Following standard psychometric theory, reliability values exceeded stability values, which exceeded validity values. Validity studies based on theory, prior research, or both showed greater effects than did studies lacking a theoretical or empirical rationale. In general, the reliability and stability of all three tests were acceptable and approximately equivalent. The convergent-validity estimates for the Rorschach and MMPI were not significantly different, but both these estimates were lower than the estimate for the WAIS. It appears that both the MMPI and Rorschach can be considered to have adequate psychometric properties if used for the purpose for which they were designed and validated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)