A Critical Review of the Shading Responses in the Rorschach I: Scoring Problems

Differences in the Perceptual Processes Behind Shading and Achromatic Color Responses on the Rorschach

“…The process underlying shading responses would require close observation of characteristics inside the inkblot, while the process underlying achromatic color responses would not. Hence, these results could be considered experimental evidence to support claims that achromatic and shading responses should be handled as different types of responses in Rorschach scoring (Campo & de Santos, 1971;Exner, 2003;Klopfer & Davidson, 1962/1964.…”

“…On the contrary, several other methods treat achromaticity and shading as similar concepts (e.g., black as roughly equal to dark) and integrate the two characteristics (e.g., Phillips & Smith, 1953;Piotrowski, 1957Piotrowski, /1980. Campo and de Santos (1971), in a review of shading and achromatic color responses, emphasized differences in perceptive experiences between these two responses and indicated that interpretations derived from the two responses are different. This idea strongly influenced the Comprehensive Rorschach System (Exner, 2003), which is currently in the mainstream of Rorschach use.…”

“…Moreover, responses using achromatic colors of inkblots had been scored identically to responses with chromatic colors (Rorschach & Morgenthaler, 1972/1998). Thereafter, many researchers have independently continued systematizing the Rorschach, and many discussions have been taken place regarding various scoring criteria, as well as symbols and interpretations regarding shading and achromatic color responses (e.g., Campo & de Santos, 1971; Exner, 2003). One of the topics of such discussion was the distinction between shading responses and achromatic color responses.…”

“…Campo and de Santos (1971), in a review of shading and achromatic color responses, emphasized differences in perceptive experiences between these two responses and indicated that interpretations derived from the two responses are different. This idea strongly influenced the Comprehensive Rorschach System (Exner, 2003), which is currently in the mainstream of Rorschach use.…”

Faces in the Clouds

“…Confusion was upon the land. For example, a major review of shading scoring (Campo & De Santos, 1971, p. 6ff) noted that none of the major systems define or score these responses with any consistency, going so far as to note that Binder’s (1959) “scoring is not always consistent with his theoretical definitions,” lamenting the internal and external confusion created by his work.…”