An evaluation of the “organic signs” in the H-T-P drawings

Abstract

score of 12 €or a subject of superior intelligence is indicative of more extensive organic deterioration than the same score for a dull subject.Grassi has suggested a score of 20 as the cutting point between organics and non-organics. The results of this study, however, tend to indicate a score of 16 as more appropriate. SUMMARYOne hundred twenty subjects, equally divided into organic, functional, and normal groups, were tested with the Grassi Block Substitution Test. All of the normal subjects scored above 20 and all of the organics fell below this score, suggested by Grassi as the cutting point between normal and brain damaged subjects. Although all of the iuntional subjects scored higher than the organics, approximately half of them fell below 20, which. according to Grassi, would suggest moderate organic impairment. The results of this study support the general conclusion that the Grassi test should take its place among other diagnostic instruments.

Empirical evaluations of human figure drawings: 1957-1966.

“…Grams and Rinder (1958) reported no differences between normals and homosexuals in omissions. Bieliauskas and Kirkham (1958) found no increase in omissions among children with organic disorders. Omissions are not related to crippling disabilities (Wysocki & Whitney, 1965).…”

“…However, Bieliauskas and Kirkham (1958) found no difference between organic and nonorganic children in drawing distorted drawings, and Hoyt and Baron (1958) found no relationship between distortion and Manifest Anxiety scale scores.…”

“…Handler and Reyher (1966) found stance significantly affected by induced anxiety. On the negative side, Bieliauskas and Kirkham (1958) failed to differentiate between normal and disturbed children on the basis of stance, and Hiler and Nesvig (1965) failed to distinguish between normal and disturbed adolescents on the basis of stance. It may be significant that all the reported negative studies used children and adolescents as subjects.…”

“…The size of the head relative to the size of the body has been found related to regressed schizophrenia (Baldwin, 1964), but not to school achievement (Lourenso et al, 1965) or organic problems (Bieliauskas & Kirkham, 1958).…”