Psychometric Definition of Rorschach Determinant Component Structure

Costello, Raymond M.

doi:10.1027/1015-5759.14.2.116

Cited by 6 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…First, it is worth noting that the loading of Pairs and R on the Productivity factor replicates an earlier finding by Costello (1998) that these two variables are moderately correlated. Second, it is interesting that the first factor in Table 3-Synthesized Complexity-bears a striking resemblance to the first factor of the Holtzman Inkblot Test (HIT), which is defined by Integration (resembling Zf), Movement responses, and Human responses (Holtzman, Thorpe, Swartz, & Herron, 1961, pp.…”

Section: Exploratory Analyses Involving Other Cs Variablessupporting

confidence: 80%

Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample

2003

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Principal axis factor analyses of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) in a clinical sample of 152 adolescents yielded three clearly defined factors: Synthesized Complexity (defined by Zf, DQ+, and F%), Productivity (defined by R, D, and Dd), and Form Quality (defined by X+%, F+%, and X-%). Variables on the Synthesized Complexity and Form Quality factors were generally correlated with Wechsler Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Performance IQ scores. Overall, the factors in this adolescent sample replicated factors identified in earlier studies with adults. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

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Section: Exploratory Analyses Involving Other Cs Variablessupporting

confidence: 80%

Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample

2003

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“…In particular, factor analysis can help to reveal whether the correlations among scores conform to a meaningful pattern that is consistent with theoretical prediction. Several factor analyses of Rorschach scores have been published (see reviews by Costello, 1998, 1999; Meyer, 1989/1991, 1992b). Two important findings have emerged.…”

Section: Rorschach Inkblot Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second important finding to emerge from factor analyses is that various Rorschach scores usually do not intercorre-late or “hang together” in a way that is consistent with either theories about the test or common clinical practice (Costello, 1998; Meyer 1992b). The most thorough study on this issue was reported by Meyer (1992b).…”

Section: Rorschach Inkblot Testmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Scientific Status of Projective Techniques

Lilienfeld

Wood

Garb

2000

Psychol Sci Public Interest

605

391

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Abstract-AlthoughControversy has been no stranger to the field of personality assessment, and no issue in this field has been more controversial than the scientific status of projective techniques. Indeed, the novice reader attempting to make sense of the sprawling and bewilderingly complex literature on projective techniques is immediately confronted with a striking paradox. On the one hand, during the past four decades a litany of personality assessment researchers (e.g., Anastasi, 1982;Gittelman Klein, 1986;Dawes, 1994) have come forth to decry the reliability and validity of most projective techniques (see Lilienfeld, 1999). Jensen's (1965) famous quotation, although 35 years old, still captures the sentiments of many contemporary scientists toward the Rorschach Inkblot Test and numerous other projective techniques: ". . . the rate of scientific progress in clinical psychology might well be measured by the speed and thoroughness with which it gets over the Rorschach" (p. 238). On the other hand, clinicians in the United States and to a lesser extent those abroad continue to use projective techniques with great regularity, and many contend that these techniques are virtually indispensable to their daily practice (Watkins, Campbell, Neiberding, & Hallmark, 1995). The crux of this paradox was incisively summed up by Anastasi (1982), who observed that "Projective techniques present a curious discrepancy between research and practice. When evaluated as psychometric instruments, the large majority make a poor showing. Yet their popularity in clinical use continues unabated" (p. 564).Indeed, despite the sustained and often withering criticisms directed at projective techniques during the past several decades (Dawes, 1994;Lowenstein, 1987), numerous surveys demonstrate that such techniques continue to enjoy widespread popularity among clinicians. Durand, Blanchard, and Mindell (1988) reported that 49% of the directors of clinical psychology graduate programs and 65% of the directors of clinical psychology internships believed that formal training in projective techniques is important. Watkins et al. (1995) found that 5 projective techniques, including the Rorschach and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), were among the 10 instruments most frequently used by clinical psychologists. For example, 82% of clinical psychologists reported that they administered the Rorschach at least "occasionally" in their test batteries and 43% reported that they "frequently" or "always" administered it. There is some indication, however, that the popularity of certain projective techniques may be waning. In a recent survey of practicing clinicians, Piotrowski, Belter, and Keller (1998) reported that several projective techniques, including the Rorschach and TAT, have been abandoned by a sizeable minority of users. Some authors (e.g., Piotrowski et al., 1998; Piotrowski & Belter, 1989) have attributed the recent decline in the popularity of projective techniques to the advent of managed care, although at least some of this decline may al...

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“…It is, however, less useful in diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, suicide attempts, dissociative identity disorder, psychopathy, antisocial personality disorder and dependent, narcissistic (see Exner, 1995) or conduct disorders (see Carlson et al, 1997;Hunsley et al, 2015;Wood et al, 2015). Even examiners who use the Comprehensive System's norms can over-pathologise people (Cooke & Norris, 2011;Costello, 1998), especially those from lower socio-economic groups (Frank, 1994) and children (Hamel et al, 2000). Research also suggests that the Rorschach is not a valid instrument for assessing impulsiveness, criminal behaviour or tendency toward violence, or for detecting child sexual abuse (Lilienfeld et al, 2001).…”

Section: Validity Of Test Must Be Appropriate For the Legal Questionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical review of the use of the Rorschach in European courts

Areh

Verkampt

Allan

2021

Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

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In relation to the admissibility of evidence obtained using projective personality tests arose in F v. Bev andorl asi es Allampolg ars agi Hivatam (2018). The Court of Justice of the European Union has held that an expert's report can only be accepted if it is based on the international scientific community's standards, but has refrained from stipulating what these standards are. It appears timely for European psychologists to decide what standards should be applied to determine whether or not a test is appropriate for psycholegal use. We propose standards and then apply them to the Rorschach because it was used in this case and is an exemplar of projective tests. We conclude that the Rorschach does not meet the proposed standards and that psychologists should abstain from using it in legal proceedings even in the absence of a clear judicial prohibition.

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Psychometric Definition of Rorschach Determinant Component Structure

Cited by 6 publications

References 16 publications

Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample

Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample

The Scientific Status of Projective Techniques

Critical review of the use of the Rorschach in European courts

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