Responses to interpersonal confrontation: Interactions with human movement and color perception.

Abstract

Two videotapes designed to present varying levels of interpersonal confrontation potential were viewed by 48 student volunteer subjects. Verbal responses to the tapes were recorded, and state anxiety in response to each tape was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Subjects' experience balances were computed based on the ratio of human movement responses to color responses on the Holtzman Inkblot Technique. It was found that introversive individuals showed increased response latency and state anxiety in response to the increase in interpersonal confrontation, whereas extratensive and ambiequal individuals showed only increased response latency or state anxiety, respectively. Implications are discussed in terms of interpretation of the experience balance itself and more generally in terms of personality-situation interactions and personality assessment research strategies.

The Validity of the Holtzman Inkblot Technique: New Indices

“…However, how HIT variables are coded leads to a loss of information. Previous research highlighted the utility of the HIT as a research tool and coped with this limitation by either applying the Rorschach coding system to HIT protocols or creating new variables using a HIT coding system ( Endicott and Jortner, 1966 ; Bowers and van der Meulen, 1970 ; Cooper and Caston, 1970 ; Bowers, 1971 ; Lefcourt et al, 1972 ; Domino, 1980 ; Lockwood et al, 1981 ; Rosegrant, 1982 ; Prokop, 1983 ; O’Neill et al, 1984 ). In line with this approach, we used the HIT variables and their scores to develop more sophisticated indices, taking inspiration from Exner’s Comprehensive System.…”

“…Not only did the intercorrelation matrix show highly significant positive correlations between corresponding Forma A and B variables but also all variables showed an increase in their scores during the physical activity in comparison with before the exercise. Several authors in past decades have applied Rorschach scoring variables to HIT protocols with good results ( Megargee and Cook, 1967 ; Bowers and van der Meulen, 1970 ; Bowers, 1971 ; Lefcourt et al, 1972 ; Domino, 1980 ; Lockwood et al, 1981 ; Rosegrant, 1982 ; Prokop, 1983 ; O’Neill et al, 1984 ).…”