Rorschach Test: what is it, how it works, how it is applied?

George Alvarez 18-10-2023
George Alvarez

Many people forget that our free perceptions are fruits of the unconscious machinery of the human mind. For this reason, they see no impediments to make personal interpretations with what they find, understanding each life event in its own way. Understand better what is Rorschach Test How it works and what it applies to.

What is the Rorschach Test?

The Rorschach Test is a psychological study to evaluate the mental conditions of patients Developed by Hermann Rorschach, the study provides an interpretive glimpse of the patient in question, so that he or she can be evaluated in a non-invasive and even entertaining way, depending on perception.

The test consists of sampling patches on plates to patients to look at their inner movements. It is worth pointing out that the patches themselves matter little to the therapy. The real driving force is found in the patient's personal interpretation when encountering them. He will say what he means, but without knowing that he is doing so.

The dark spots can be used without any negative interference in the patient's life, and are thus an excellent addition for assessing the patient's psychic condition. Not to mention that it can still be a pleasurable exercise if the patient allows it. He will learn to channel everything his mind has been trying to say in a creative way.

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How does it work?

The Rorschach Test is quite simple if you look at its nature completely. A set of plates is given different patterns of spots, colored or not. At first, the dynamics of the work will seem somewhat purposeless. However, it is the answers given by the patients that will move the therapist's work .

The therapist will show each plate to the analyzed one after the other. Then the patient must tell him everything that that image seems to him, putting together a personal representation. In this, the time of each sample will depend solely on him. He can make only one or several reflections of what the spots seem to him.

The therapist will make observations regarding the patient's perspective and what he or she has encountered when encountering the stains. Everything will depend on how he or she interprets what he or she sees there, highlighting what he or she doesn't say directly. In some cases, this serves as a support to investigate the emergence and development of psychic pathologies.

What is it like to apply the Rorschach Test?

Initially, Hermann intended to use 16 plates to do his work. However, the creation process was costly. Reluctantly, he agreed to reduce the number of plates used during the reconnaissance session to 10. Still, the tactic had an excellent effect, and is enshrined in current therapy .

The tester presents pictures with colored or black spots for a certain person to look at. Each new plate being displayed is followed by the question "What might this represent?" From then on, the patient takes the lead and tries to decipher the abstract image. His unconscious mind serves as the basis for him to feed his process of analysis.

The best thing is that therapy is flexible, so that there is no clear pattern. Since we have diverse perceptions about a single object, we can give several answers if we feel it is necessary. The delivery of diverse answers enriches therapy. Thanks to this, each patient can explore his or her own feelings in favor of a well-constructed and effective analysis.

Interpretive Evaluation

Once he gets the answers from the patient, the therapist will do a decoding of what has been revealed. The Rorschach Test uses complex codes to place each response appropriately In isolation, each speech of the patient is evaluated by:

Perception

The patient's perception of the blur is studied. The main focus here is whether the patient saw the image integrated or only as parts. In this way we can see how complex the individual's perception of the procedure is.

The decisive

During the test it is necessary to check what most caught the analyzed person's attention in relation to what he saw. This is why the important aspect in the blur is evaluated for him. This can come through the shape, the impression of movement, the color or other characteristics such as size.

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Content

In this third part it is necessary to interpret the image that the patient has reached in his or her mind. In this it checks whether it is a person, parts of it, an animal, plants or objects. The disposition of his mind will take care of that part and make it clear.

Original or vulgar response

Finally, the structure of the response given by the studied in relation to the therapy. It is necessary to find out if the speech is something common or ordinary in the environment where he is inserted. Sometimes, far from his usual social field, a person can clarify issues that are little worked on in other places.

What can the Rorschach Test achieve?

The Rorschach Test should not be seen as a sound diagnosis if used alone. It is a contemplative approach to gather more data useful for any social study It is precisely for this reason that we can look at some questions pertinent to someone's mental state, for example:

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Unhealthy personality traits

Neurosis gives signs, however fuzzy, of its stay in one's mind. It is worth pointing out that there is no clear pattern to it, but it is possible to evaluate it. The test can map symptoms that reveal the decay of the human mind, aiding in a psychiatric diagnosis .

Intellectual evaluation

The quality and quantity of intelligence can also be measured during the evaluation. Part of this is the creativity of the analyzed in giving elaborate and well-structured answers. A richer mind can easily make associations with more freedom and without blocks, whatever they may be.

Affectivity

The words during the Rorschach Test also show how receptive someone is to affection. This is through the intimate perceptions that someone can achieve, for example, the meeting of a mother with her child, people laughing, or animals interacting. To create this kind of image, an affective internal structure is important .

Rorschach Test Considerations

Given the way it works, the Rorschach Test has been applied away from the therapist's office as well. Research in the legal field, Neuropsychology, and even job interviews benefit from this kind of contact. It is a sound way of determining some relevant traits in the individuals studied in order to understand their personality.

The test works thanks to its interactivity and functionality applied differently with the aim of analyzing someone's psychic construction. However, what drives the analysis are not the spots shown on the plates, since they are just an instrument. It is the patient's perception of his internal development that counts for the growth of the work .

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the perception of this work will become more complete when you acquire a more in-depth training in a good online Psychoanalysis course. Besides the Rorschach test This includes nurturing a progressive self-knowledge, transforming your path little by little, but can also serve as a complementary profession.

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.