The Rorschach in Finland

Abstract

According to the Finnish Psychological Association (Dufva, Huttunen, Harsila, Kauppinen & Kentala, 1979), the Rorschach is, in Finland as in the U.S. (Piotrowski, 1984;Ritzier & Del Gaudio, 1976;Weiner, 1983), the personality test most used in psycho diagnostic assessment, with the Wartegg in second place. This holds true for hospitals, mental health clinics, psychiatric clinics, child guidance centers and university student health services. Psychological consultants also use it in making personnel decisions. The Rorschach usually forms part of a test battery that may also include the WAIS or WISC, drawing tests, a picture story method (CAT, TAT, ORT, or revised Finnish version of the Shneidman MAPS) and objective personality tests. The Rorschach's pre-eminence is remarkable in view of negative attitudes encountered in academic circles, and the resultant fact that a degree in psychology by no means entails competence in projective testing. In the opinion of Finnish Rorschach pioneer Aarre Tuompo (1947), it was necessary for a Finn who wanted to master the Rorschach to travel to Switzerland. Not until 1968 was an annual course devoted entirely to the Rorschach included in the curriculum of a Finnish university Qyvaskyla), and it remains the only one.To augment their inadequate formal schooling, Finnish clinical psychologists have shown persistent initiative in organizing basic Rorschach courses and advanced seminars throughout the country. In 1971, Stephen A. Appelbaum of the Menninger Clinic was invited to hold an intensive Rorschach course. In the 1980's, Rorschach summer courses were held at Oulu University's biological research stations at the lighthouse on Hailuoto island and near the waterfalls in Oulanka National 105 This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

Rorschach tests and Rorschach vigilantes

“…Within the psy-disciplines, Rorschach-testing became a popular diagnostic practice in such countries as Japan (Sorai and Ohnuki, 2008), Finland (Mattlar and Fried, 1993), Turkey (İkiz, 2011) and India (Manickam and Dubey, 2006). In other places, such as Great Britain, psychological critics of the test outpaced enthusiasts and it was only occasionally incorporated into the training of mental health professionals (Hubbard and Hegarty, 2016; McCarthy Woods, 2008).…”

Contemporary Perspectives on Rorschach Assessment

“…2). Large-scale normative studies of Rorschach variables underway in many parts of the world have begun to confirm these expectations, while also identifying some adjustments in coding criteria that might be required in certain countries (see, e. g., Mattlar & Fried, 1993;Miralles Sangro, 1997;Pires, 1996). As matters now stand, the size and diversity of the existing normative and reference samples provide more standardization information than is available for most psychological assessment measures and, at a minimum, establish the RIM as adequately normed for a U. S. population.…”

Rorschach, Culture and Popular Responses

“…and Mattlar and Fried (1993) presented a large-scale normative study in Finland and concluded; at least as concerns Europe and the U.S., it would seem that the principle elements of the structural summary could be described as 'sturdy', little affected by nationality. Normative studies of Finland and other Scandinavian countries describes that "Christmas elves" are most frequent response on card II and it is coded as popular (Mattlar & Fried, 1993). Should there be cultures in which such cultural-specific responses as "Christmas elves" occur frequently.…”