Emotional Perception and Distortion Correlates With Rorschach Cognitive and Interpersonal Variables

Abstract

Abstract. Although emotional intelligence is frequently measured with performance tasks, they are often correlated with self-report measures of personality. The present research compared the scores of two performance tests: the Rorschach Inkblot Method for personality (scored using R-PAS), and the Computerized Test of Primary Emotions Perception for emotional perception and understanding, branches of emotional intelligence. Participants were 93 Brazilian people, including undergraduates and psychiatric outpatients. Significant correlations were found, ranging from .20 to .37. The results indicate that the ability to perceive emotional expressions in people’s faces is related to empathy and interest in human interaction, attention to details, integrative thinking, and complex cognitive processing. Distortion in emotional perception, that is perceiving emotions that were not present, correlated with thought and perception disturbances.

Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) for assessing disordered thought and perception.

“…It also moderated treatment success over time. In Brazil, Miguel et al (2017) found FQo%, FQu%, and Popular did not lead to a more accurate ability to identify emotional expressions in film vignettes but the EII-3, TP-Comp, WSumCog, SevCog, and FQ-% predicted distorted perceptions in which respondents clearly identified the wrong emotional experiences.…”

When Inkblot Imitates Life – A Case Study of Rorschach Content Analysis

“…The Rorschach can be a useful, therapeutic tool for assessment as it can elicit curiosity and facilitate healthy social, emotional, and perceptual development during treatment. The case of Ms. A illustrates the Rorschach’s range in developing and implementing personalized treatment (Aschieri et al, 2019; Aschieri & Smith, 2012; Aschieri & Vetere, 2020; Bornstein, 2022; Fantini et al., 2022; Finn et al, 2012; Miguel et al, 2017). Ms. A initially approached the Rorschach with skepticism, but during feedback sessions she wanted to discuss the inkblots most.…”