Power motive reliability as a function of retest instructions.

When 70 undergraduates were instructed to try to reinstate their original state of mind and write the same TAT stories, or when they were instructed not to worry about whether their stories were similar to or different from those written before, test–retest reliability of need for power was substantially higher than the levels usually found for TAT motive and approach levels found with objective personality tests. Under instructions to write different stories, Ss showed chance-level reliability. Results are discussed in terms of bringing implicit test instructions and self-instructions under experimental control. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of alcohol on memory.

Ss wrote TAT stories at 3 points during social drinking in an experimental condition (with alcoholic beverages = wet, N = 18), or in a control condition (dry, N = 17). On the next day Ss were asked to describe the TAT pictures and to reproduce the stories they had written before. Several measures of recall were developed. Results showed: (a) A linear decrease in memory as a function of alcohol consumption. (b) No decrease in memory for stories written immediately before drinking. (c) An improvement for the dry group in the recall of stories written late as compared with early. (d) An attenuation of stable individual differences in memory in the wet condition. (e) Selective forgetting due to the presence of "physical sex" in the original stories, when these were written after drinking; also, selective forgetting of pictures which elicited such stories. (f) Selective remembering of stories with "physical sex" from some dry administrations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of subliminal and supraliminal suggestion on verbal productivity.

"Two experiments were performed to study the effect of subliminal and supraliminal suggestion on productivity… in describing a picture… . [A control] group was given a task of describing in writing a TAT picture presented tachistoscopically 10 times at increasing exposure levels. In the second condition a subliminal stimulus, the words WRITE MORE overlapped with the TAT picture for .02 seconds. In the third condition the subliminal suggestion was DON'T WRITE… . A second experiment was performed to see the effect on productivity of the same suggestions at supraliminal levels… . subliminal suggestion may produce some effect in the region just below threshold. When the suggestion becomes supraliminal its distracting effects causes a contrasuggestive response in some Ss." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Rorschach and TAT indices of homosexuality in overt homosexuals, neurotics, and normal males": Erratum.

Reports an error in the original article by Anthony Davids, Mark Joelson, and Charles McArthur (Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology, 1956[Sept], 53, 161-172). In the section on TAT results, under the heading of Signs suggested for further confirmation (p. 168), it states incorrectly (line 15) that the sign of a strong unresolved attachment to a father or father figure was scored in stories composed for Card 8. The sign was in fact scored in stories composed for TAT Card 7. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1958-02891-001). Rorschach and TAT protocols of 20 male overt homosexuals, 20 male neurotics, and 20 normal male students were compared in order to determine whether proposed homosexual signs were discriminative. The homosexual group gave a significantly greater mean number of the Rorschach and TAT signs than did either nonhomosexual group. "Within the homosexual group, correlation between the number of Rorschach signs and number of TAT signs produced by each S proved significant, serving as a check on the validity of both schemes and indicating the consistency of these 2 diverse measures of homosexuality." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thematic Apperception Test method for the differentiation of families of schizophrenics, delinquents, and "normals."

Assessed the dimension of Parent * Child interactional behavior from 240 TAT stories told by parents of 10 schizophrenics, 10 delinquents, and 10 "normals." A modified content analysis was applied to stories dealing with parent-child plots. Common underlying factors contributing to similar story qualities were abstracted into higher order classes of story behavior. 3 modal behavior categories were defined: personally involved, child-centered, flexible interactions (A), impersonally involved, superficial interactions (B), and overinvolved, parent-centered interactions (C). Blind rating of the stories by Categories A, B, and C significantly and reliably differentiated the 3 parental groups. Blind rating of a separate series of TAT stories told by 20 mothers of schizophrenic children and 20 mothers of normal children using the National Institute of Mental Health method significantly differentiated the 2 parental groups. Processes that may have determined the different patterns of narrated Parent-Child interactions are considered. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Should WISC subjects explain pitcure arrangement stories?

Administered the WISC to 78 6-15 yr. old Ss asked to tell picture arrangement (PA) stories, and to 57 Ss under standard instructions. 42 pairs of Ss were matched for age, Full Scale IQ, and reason for referral. Ss who told PA stories had an average PA score 2.12 scaled score points higher than Ss who did not tell stories (p 100. No significant difference was found for Ss > 9 yr. old. Awareness of facilitating effects of Ss explaining PA stories when interpreting the WISC is urged. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differing about differences: The incidence and interpretation of violent fantasies in women and men.

In response to a critique by C. J. Benton et al (see record 1984-12235-001), the present authors argue that the Benton et al study is not a true replication, as they ignore the most crucial aspect of the research—the content analysis of violent TAT stories. Although Benton et al call attention to a major problem in motivation research, that of a priori classification of pictures, the present authors' content analysis was designed to eliminate such problems by focusing on how the stimulus was interpreted by the individual storywriter, not on how the picture was perceived by the examiner. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ipsative behavioral variability and the quality of thematic apperceptive measurement of the achievement motive.

Ipsative behavioral variability is defined as change in the behavior of an individual in a constant environment. Through computer simulation of the dynamics of action (J. W. Atkinson and D. Birch; 1970, 1978), one may deduce that increases in ipsative variability in the expression of motivational imagery written in response to equally cued TAT pictures will increase the construct validity of that imagery regardless of the internal consistency reliability that remains. Empirical support for this hypothesis is offered by the finding that TAT need for achievement (nAch), measured in 4 stories written in response to weakly cued pictures, showed improved construct validity for 61 male undergraduates who were high rather than low in ipsative variability. TAT nAch showed significant construct validity for the high-variability group even though the internal consistency of this group's motive measure was –2.229. Findings disconfirm the general applicability of classical reliability theory to thematic apperceptive measures. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of dynamic 3D transoesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of atrial septal defects and occlusion by the double-umbrella device (CardioSEAL)

Previous research has supported theoretical claims that dichotomous thinking may be a risk factor for suicide. However, the concept of dichotomous thinking is vague, and thus far, no measures of it have been developed. This study developed a coding scheme useful on Thematic Aperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943) protocols and applicable to other verbal productions to refine the concept of dichotomous thinking and to assess its utility as a predictor of suicidality. Suicidal patients had a significantly elevated rate of a narrowly defined type of dichotomous thinking involving diametric or polarized possibilities. However, suicidal and nonsuicidal patients did not differ on weaker forms of dichotomous thinking involving nonexclusive or nonbinary alternatives. Suicidal patients produced shorter TAT stories than nonsuicidal patients, supporting other findings in the literature that suicidal patients tend to be cognitively and affectively "shut down." Traditionally designated "suicide cards" also yielded shorter stories but did not elicit higher rates of dichotomous thinking.     

Aggression in thought and action of emotionally disturbed boys.

Studied relations between signs of aggression on the Rorschach and the TAT and ratings of behavioral aggression in 63 7-12 yr. old institutionalized boys. The majority of individual Rorschach signs did not differentiate between high and low aggressive groups but scores based on a cluster of 7 signs correlated significantly with behavior ratings. Of 4 scoring systems applied to TAT stories, 2 were completely ineffective in predicting behavioral aggression, and 2 led to significant findings, but the magnitude of these associations was not particularly impressive. Psychologists' clinical evaluations of aggression, based on comprehensive psychological assessment of individual cases, were highly associated with the overt behavior ratings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety and the experimental arousal of affiliation need.

Small groups of college Ss were placed in a 1-way vision observation room; the instructions structured the situation so that personal anxiety was presumed to be high. Other groups were purposefully not exposed to anxiety-producing instructions. Level of anxiety was measured by self-rating scales; need for affiliation was assessed through TAT cards. It was assumed that degree of anxiety would be positively related to degree of need affiliation. Ss high in need affiliation did rate themselves higher in anxiety when placed in the anxiety-producing situation; in the non-anxiety-producing situation, affiliation need was unrelated to anxiety. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The Thematic Apperception Test and the Children's Apperception Test in clinical use.

Reviews the book, The Thematic Apperception Test and the Children's Apperception Test in Clinical Use by Leopold Bellak (see record 1955-04032-000). More than anything else this book gives evidence of the extensivity and maturity of the author's clinical experience. Both in the expository sections of the volume, in which the author elucidates his thinking about such items as theoretical foundations for projective testing and the use of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) in psychotherapy, as well as in the case illustration sections in which sample TAT and Children's Apperception Test (CAT) stories are analyzed and interpreted, there is a richness in clinical wisdom and an erudition in psychoanalytic personality theory. However, there are shortcomings of the book as a manual for TAT and CAT interpretation, unless one wishes to accept the author's interpretive procedure "lock, stock, and barrel." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Thematic Apperception Test and attitudes toward achievement in women: A new look at the motive to avoid success and a new method of measurement.

Asked 163 male and 165 female students to write stories to 1 of 3 versions of M. S. Horner's Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) verbal cue used to measure women's "motive to avoid success": a successful medical student who was a single female, a single male, or a married female. Ss then answered an objective questionnaire about the cue figure. Story protocols, classified as positive, mixed, or negative on the basis of success-related content, were significantly (p     

Posthypnotic conflict, repression, and psychopathology.

12 hypnotized, male undergraduates were given posthypnotic conflicts involving sexual or aggressive impulses toward an older, attractive woman. The 2 conflicts were implanted on separate occasions and were activated posthypnotically by the presentation of conflict words presented randomly at each of 3 levels of impulse intensity. 5 susceptible Ss (male undergraduates) were given instructions to simulate hypnosis. The hypnotic group produced significantly more symptoms and GSRs than the simulating group, and poor repressors produced significantly more symptoms and GSRs than good repressors with respect to the posthypnotic activation of anger and a destructive impulse. The 2 conflicts did not differ from each other on the dependent variables, and poor repressors and good repressors for both conflicts did not differ on measures of drive representation to TAT stories. A particular order of symptoms was generated as repression weakened, and the degree of repression conceptually resolved the discrepancy between 2 theories of psychosomatic symptoms. (32 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Performance as a function of motive strength and expectancy of goal-attainment.

"Particular motives (Achievement, Affiliation, Power, etc.) are conceived as latent dispositions to strive for certain goal states (aims) that are engaged in performance of an act when the cues of the situation arouse the expectancy that performance of an act is instrumental to attainment of the goal of the motive. The total motivation to perform the act is conceived as a summation of strengths of all the motives that have been aroused by appropriate expectancies of goal-attainment cued-off by the situation. The relationship of achievement motive (as measured by imaginative TAT stories) to performance is shown to be significantly positive when the expectancy that performance is instrumental to producing a feeling of pride in accomplishment is aroused and few if any other expectancies of goal-attainment are aroused." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is hostility linked with affiliation among males and with achievement among females? A critique of Pollak and Gilligan.

Attempted to replicate and to clarify methodologically an investigation by S. Pollak and C. Gilligan (see record 1982-23594-001). Those investigators reported sex differences in violence imagery to TAT pictures depicting affiliation and achievement situations. Pollak and Gilligan concluded that men perceive danger in situations of affiliation whereas women perceive danger in situations of achievement. The present study demonstrated that Pollak and Gilligan incorrectly classified TAT cards into motivational categories, which may have resulted in incorrect inferences. In addition, their findings could not be replicated when 4 different systems for classifying TAT cards into motivational categories were used with 204 undergraduates. Other potential sources of error in their research, including a restrictive scoring scheme for hostility, unusual instructions, and failure to control for sex role in the TAT pictures, did not influence the results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experience in experiments and change in internal-external control scores.

Assigned 150 undergraduates to (a) verbal conditioning experiments in which Ss felt they had control of their performance, (b) verbal conditioning experiments in which Ss felt they had no control, and (c) control experiments in which Ss wrote TAT stories. Pre- and posttest scores on the Internal-External Control Scale (J. Rotter) were compared for each group. As predicted, Ss in the internally oriented experiments increased in internal control, and Ss in the externally oriented experiments increased in external control (p     

Sexual pathology and dangerousness from a Thematic Apperception Test protocol.

This report concerns the TAT protocol of a 17-yr-old male patient who gave stories with a disturbing amount of sexual perversity. The stories included accounts of rape, incest, pedophilia, sadism, exhibitionism, necrophilia, and hermaphroditism. Furthermore, he showed signs of schizophrenia, which involved command hallucinations, interest in black magic, and paranoid grandiosity. The testing report described the patient as dangerous, leading to a prolonged, restrictive, and, in many respects, tragic hospitalization. Can the TAT be used to predict sexual dangerousness? A verbatim TAT protocol and its interpretation at the time within supervision are examined, followed by an account of the patient's course through hospitalization as a means to validate the clinical findings and predictions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychopathology as a function of neuroticism and a hypnotically implanted aggressive conflict.

Tested 5 hypotheses concerning psychopathology generated by hypnosis using 26 undergraduates. Hypnotically implanted paramnesias (false stories) designed to arouse an unacceptable aggressive impulse successfully generated psychopathology in experimental Ss who were high in neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Inventory). Control Ss received a similar paramnesia that was designed to arouse an acceptable impulse. The induced psychopathology approximated that observed in a psychiatric outpatient population. Experimental Ss who directed their aggressive impulses at fictitious authority figures experienced more psychopathology than did experimental Ss who directed their impulses at an authority figure who was physically present. Experimental Ss told shorter TAT stories and expressed more blatant anger and aggression in their stories than did the controls, but the 2 groups did not differ in amount of anger and aggression or amount of paramnesia material projected. Results suggest that the experimental Ss' psychopathalogy was a function of an intrapsychic conflict involving an intense, dissociated, and unacceptable wish to destroy the experimenter's TAT cards that was blocked from discharge by equally strong intrapsychic forces. The authors state that other explanations, besides the psychodynamic one presented, must be considered. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationships between overt and fantasy aggression.

The interrelationships among aggressive needs, anticipation of punishment, and overt aggressive behavior in 29 lower-class boys were investigated in this study. Three hypotheses were tested: 1) among lower class boys, those having a relatively great amount of fantasy aggressive needs indulge in more overt aggressive behavior than those who have relatively few aggressive fantasy needs; 2) Ss whose TAT stories included a great deal of punishment press relative to the number of their aggressive needs demonstrate less overt aggression than Ss whose ratios of punishment press to aggressive needs are low; and 3) Those with low punishment press/aggressive fantasy ratio show more aggression in their behavior than those with high P/A ratio. All three hypotheses were supported by the data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)