Under Skinner's Skin: Gauging a Behaviorist From His Rorschach Protocol

Abstract

Behaviorism and psychodynamic psychology have been regarded as polar opposites. Contrary to popular belief, B. F. Skinner took an interest in Freud and many of his concepts, and agreed to be tested with the Rorschach method and the Thematic Apperception Test by Roe in her study of scientists (Roe, 1953 ). We looked for signs of creativity defined as complex responses, an intriguing emotional tone, novelty, and liveliness. Skinner displayed an enormous number of responses characterized by simplicity, an intellectualized tone, a driven quality rather than creative complexity, and a sense of strained social relationships and lack of liveliness. The findings are in line with Roe's study of other scientists. Skinner's intellectual productivity and high ambition fits well with the commanding figure history describes.

Mitos e verdades no ensino de técnicas projetivas

“…Nas décadas seguintes, algumas pesquisas foram feitas por outros autores com o Somador Verbal, posteriormente renomeado para Tautofone, contudo o instrumento acabou desaparecendo do rol de testes para avaliação da personalidade (Burns, Heiby, & Tharp, 1983;Catania, 2008;Grings, 1942;Impellizzeri, 1970;Morris, 1978;Shakow & Resenzweig, 1940;Trussell, 1939). Skinner, contudo, ainda demonstrou interesse nas técnicas de avaliação, inclusive sendo avaliado pelo Rorschach e TAT em 1953, como parte de uma pesquisa com diversos cientistas, com a condição de que seus nomes fossem revelados apenas após a morte (Grønnerød, Overskeid, & Hartmann, 2012). Ele produziu um número surpreendente de 196 respostas no Rorschach.…”