The aim of this study was to develop and to provide an initial validation of a Rorschach index measuring developmental progress and growth. The Developmental Index (DI) was created in a 3-step, sequential strategy with adult and child data in which we (a) selected potential DI variables from quantitative research literature and from data available to us, (b) identified an optimal group of DI variables and created the DI equation using an independent nonpatient sample, and (c) provided an initial cross-validation of the DI using an independent clinical sample. Age and age rank categorization groups from normative data associated with the Wechsler intelligence scales (Wechsler, 2003, 2008) and contrasts between adults and children served as criteria for development. These samples include a large amount of data from a diverse international subject pool using the Comprehensive System of the Rorschach. Interim validity checks were undertaken to ensure the analytic strategy was sound. The DI includes 12 variables with individual weights determined by regression analysis. The initial independent cross-validation of the DI with a clinical sample revealed that it discriminated well between children and adults. Thus, initial support for this scale as a measure of psychological development across cultures and geography was established, but future research is needed. Clinical implications and specific research needs are presented.

Controlling the number of Rorschach responses (R) as a method to reduce variability in the length of records has stimulated controversy among researchers for many years. Recently, the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS; Meyer, Viglione, Mihura, Erard, & Erdberg, 2011 ) introduced an R-Optimized method to reduce variability in R. Using 4 published and 2 previously unpublished studies (N = 713), we examine the extent to which 51 Comprehensive System-based scores on the R-PAS profile pages are affected as a result of receiving Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003 ) administration versus a version of R-Optimized administration. As hypothesized, R-the intended target of R-Optimized administration-showed reliable weighted average differences across each method of administration. As expected, its mean modestly increased and its standard deviation notably decreased. Also as hypothesized, the next largest effects were decreases in the variability (SD) of 2 variables directly related to R, R8910% and Complexity. No other reliable differences were observed. Therefore, because R-Optimized administration does not notably modify the existing CS-based normative values for other profiled R-PAS variables, the data do not support concerns that R-Optimized administration notably modifies the Rorschach task or that existing CS research data would not generalize to R-PAS. However, because R-Optimized administration reduces variability in R, it allows a single set of norms to apply readily to more people.

Learning to code the imagery, communication, and behavior associated with Rorschach responding is challenging. Although there is some survey research on graduate students' impressions of their Rorschach training, research has not identified which coding decisions students find to be the most problematic and time-consuming. We surveyed students to identify what they struggled with most when learning coding and to quantify how difficult it is to learn how to code. Participants (n = 191) from the United States, Brazil, Denmark, Israel, and Italy rated 57 aspects of coding using a 4-point scale that encompassed both the time required to code and the subjective difficulty of doing so. Mean ratings for coding in general indicated that students considered the overall task challenging. Ratings also revealed that students struggled most with Cognitive Special Scores, Determinants, and extrapolating from the tables to code Form Quality for objects that were not specifically listed. The findings offer suggestions about how to improve the guidelines for some of the more difficult variables and where it is most necessary to focus teaching time. Taking these steps might help new students in learning the Rorschach.

ResumoO objetivo deste presente trabalho foi caracterizar perfis psicológicos em um grupo de adolescentes que cometeram homicí-dio. Participaram do estudo 33 adolescentes, do sexo masculino e feminino, com idades entre 14 e 19 anos, que cometeram homicídio e estão cumprindo medidas socioeducativas. Foram utilizados como instrumentos uma entrevista semiestruturada e o método de Rorschach (Sistema Compreensivo). Os adolescentes revelaram características que permitiram compreendê-los em três subgrupos: um grupo com componentes narcísicos patológicos mais frequentes, outro grupo que se destaca pela falta de habilidades sociais e interpessoais, com tendência a estabelecer relacionamentos conflituosos e com pouca capacidade de lidar com as demandas da vida diárias, e o último grupo apresentou juízo crítico e coerência rebaixados, como pensamentos excêntricos e desconsideração pelos comportamentos socialmente esperados. Os principais resultados permitiram constatar a insuficiência de recursos psicológicos que interferem na capacidade de adaptação ao meio em que vivem. Palavras-chave: adolescentes, homicídio, método de Rorschach Profiles of Personality of Adolescents who have Committed Homicide AbstractThis study consists of an empirical article that aims to characterize psychological profiles in a group of adolescents who committed homicide. The study included 33 adolescents, male and female, aged between 14 and 19 years, who committed homicide and are serving educational measures deprived of freedom. The teenagers were submitted to a semi directed interview and the Rorschach Test (Comprehensive System). The results showed some personality traits that allowed them to be divided into three subgroups: a group with marked narcissistic pathological components; another group that is characterized by absence of social and interpersonal skills, with a tendency to establish conflictive relationships and with low capacity to cope with the demands of daily life; and the latter group had demoted critical judgment and consistency as eccentric thoughts and disregard for the socially expected behaviors. The main results demonstrated the insufficiency of psychological resources that interfere with their capacity to adapt to the environment. Keywords: adolescents, homicide, Rorschach test Perfiles de Personalidad de Adolescentes que Cometieron HomicidiosResumen El objetivo de este estudio fue diferenciar perfiles psicológicos en un grupo de 33 adolescentes que cometieron homicidio, de ambos sexos, con edades entre 14 y 19 años, y que están cumpliendo medidas socioeducativas. Una entrevista semiestructurada y el método de Rorschach (Sistema Comprensivo) fueron utilizados como instrumentos. Los adolescentes revelaron algunas características que permitieron comprenderlos en tres sub-grupos: un grupo con componentes narcisistas patológicos más frecuentes; otro grupo que se caracteriza por la falta de habilidades sociales e interpersonales, con una tendencia a establecer relacionamientos conflictivos y con poca capacidad para hacer frente ...

ResumoTrata de um estudo de correlação entre as variáveis da técnica de Rorschach (Sistema Klopfer) e os grupos de sinais e sintomas da CID-10 para a esquizofrenia. Participaram desse estudo 80 pacientes com o diagnóstico de esquizofrenia pela CID-10, com recidiva da doença, internados em hospitais psiquiátricos de Goiânia. Observou-se que, dentre os 8 grupos de sinais e sintomas da CID-10 para esquizofrenia, 7 grupos tiveram correlações com variáveis distintas do Rorschach. Tais dados sugerem que, embora exista uma relação entre as variáveis dos dois instrumentos, estas variáveis não se sobrepõem substancialmente. Entende-se que são importantes as pesquisas que indiquem padrões de inter-relação entre diferentes modelos de avaliação de distúrbios psíquicos, a fim de que se possam apontar pontos de convergência e divergência entre os mesmos, avançando desse modo em questões conceituais. Palavras-chave: Esquizofrenia, técnica de Rorschach, CID-10. AbstractThis is a correlational study between the variables of the Rorschach technique (Klopfer System) and groups of signals and symptoms of ICD-10 for schizophrenia. Eighty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia by the ICD-10, with disease recidivation, who were hospitalized in a psychiatric service in the city of Goiânia participated in the study. We observed that among the 8 groups of signals and symptoms of ICD-10 for schizophrenia, 7 groups had correlations with distinct variable of Rorschach. These data suggest that while there is a relationship between the variables of the two instruments, such variables do not overlap substantially. It is understood that researches are important to indicate patterns of interrelationship between different models for evaluation of mental disorders so that they can point out similarities and differences between them, thereby advancing the conceptual issues. Keywords: Schizophrenia, Rorschach technique, ICD-10. Na introdução deste artigo serão expostos os critérios diagnósticos da CID-10 (Organização Mundial de Saúde [OMS], 1993) para a esquizofrenia, adotados na pesquisa, como também serão feitas algumas explanações a respeito da técnica de Rorschach e essa psicopatologia, uma vez que a relação entre esses dois instrumentos é o foco deste estudo. Tanto um quanto o outro instrumento, isoladamente, têm demonstrado que seus achados são úteis na avaliação clínica de transtornos esquizofrênicos (Exner, 2003;Jakobsen et al., 2005;Kleiger, 1999;Weiner, 1966). No entanto, quando se trata de relacionar o Rorschach com um outro instrumento de classificação diagóstica nota-se que a correlação entre eles tende a ser baixa (Wood & Lilienfeld,1999;Wood, Lilienfeld, Garb, & Nezworski, 2000) e quando se trata de verificar essa relação entre o Rorschach e os critérios diagnósticos da CID-10 para esquizofrenia nenhum estudo foi encontrado nas bases de dados que se referem a estudos em ciências humanas e da saúde.No Brasil, poucos estudos têm averiguado pontos de convergência e divergência entre diferentes modelos de avaliação de psicopatologias e seu...

Resumo: Este trabalho começa discutindo eventuais problemas nos processos de avaliação psicológica, tal como são conduzidos tradicionalmente, mostrando fragilidades que nem sempre são consideradas ao se planejar uma determinada avaliação. O resultado disto é que frequentemente o cliente não sentirá os reais benefícios daquele processo para si mesmo ou sua vida, podendo mesmo ocorrer o contrário e o processo se transformar em uma experiência negativa de sentimento de incompreensão, desesperança e baixa motivação para seguir as orientações finais. Há, entretanto, uma nova proposta que vem se expandindo na prática da Psicologia, na forma de um processo semiestruturado denominado de Avaliação Terapêutica. Por meio de uma estratégia cuidadosamente planejada, desenvolve-se uma avaliação inteiramente colaborativa e já se realiza algum tipo de intervenção durante o processo. Estas duas características costumam produzir uma experiência terapêutica imediata. O processo é pautado pelo uso imprescindível de testes de autorrelato e projetivos (expressivos ou de desempenho) por meio dos quais o avaliador busca aprofundar o conhecimento sobre o cliente e intervir da forma mais adequada para produzir uma efetiva mudança nele. Neste artigo são apresentadas as etapas claramente definidas deste processo, finalizando-se com os contextos possíveis de sua aplicação.

The Rorschach Developmental Index (DI) is a composite measure of psychological development. The aim of this study was to examine the criterion validity of the DI by investigating its relationship with age, nonverbal intelligence, and the impact of institutionalization in a sample of Brazilian children. The sample included 231 children, ages 7 to 11, who were either living with their families or in an institutionalized setting. The results indicated that the DI is strongly associated with nonverbal intelligence. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 71% of the variability in the DI was associated with nonverbal intelligence, whereas age explained only 2%. Moreover, the DI scores and nonverbal intelligence scores were significantly lower for children living in institutionalized settings. The DI appears to be effective in assessing various levels of psychological development, especially when expressed in cognitive ability. The DI was developed in the United States, and this study suggests that the DI can be adapted to diverse cultures, regions, or languages.

The Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS; Meyer, Viglione, Mihura, Erard, & Erdberg, 2011 ) introduced R-optimized administration to reduce variability in the number of Responses (R). We provide new data from six studies of participants randomly assigned to receive a version of this method or Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003 ) administration. We examine how administration methods affect 3 types of codes most likely to contain potential projective material and the frequency of these codes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or last response to a card (R in Card). In a meta-analytic summary, we found 37% of responses have 1 type of code, 19% have 2 types, and 3% have all 3 types, with stable proportions across responses within cards. Importantly, administration method had no impact on potential projective variable means. Differential skew across samples made variability harder to interpret. Initial results suggesting differences in 3 of the 18 specific Type by R in Card pairs did not follow a coherent pattern and disappeared when using raw counts from all participants. Overall, data do not support concerns that R-optimized administration might alter potential projective processes, or make potentially "signature" last responses to the card any different in R-PAS than the CS.