Psychology 100 - Personality Lab

Projective tests are one of the tools that psychologists use to interpret the personality of individuals that they work with. In a projective test, the individual taking the test looks at a series of ambiguous stimuli and interprets what they think those stimuli mean or what they represent. The most famous projective test (and one that you are probably familiar with) is the Rorschach Test. The Rorschach test consists of a series of abstract symmetrical figures often referred to as “inkblots.” The individual taking the Rorschach is supposed to examine the inkblots and describe what he or she sees in them. Theoretically, the unconscious and conscious psychological needs and concerns of the individual will be “projected” onto the inkblots, and a skilled, trained psychologist should be able to interpret the person’s responses to the inkblots and gain insight into his or her personality.

In this lab, you will get some experience with projective tests by using another popular test called the “Thematic Apperception Test”(TAT). The TAT consists of cards with scenes on them. Most of the cards depict one or two people in some type of ambiguous situation. The subject is asked to make up a story based on the scene on the card, with the story to include what is going on, the thoughts, feelings, and desires of the people in the picture, what led up to the scene, and the outcome of what is taking place in the picture. Since the scenes are ambiguous, they leave a great deal of room for individual interpretation of what is happening. It is thought that in interpreting the ambiguous social situations, individuals expose aspects of their own personalities.

The procedure for the lab will be as follows:

Each of you will write a story in response to four different TAT cards. You will be given four minutes to write each one of the four stories. Your stories will then be given to another member of the class for interpretation, and you will receive the stories written by someone else as well. The identity of the authors of the stories will be anonymous. The stories will be analyzed by each of you in accordance with some guidelines that will be given to you after the stories are written. Your lab report will consist of a brief (no more than two pages) essay describing the personality of the individual who wrote the stories that you read.

Instructions for Writing the Stories:

For each picture, your task will be to make up as dramatic a story as you can. Tell what has led up to the event shown in the picture, describe what is happening at the moment, what the characters are feeling and thinking, and then give the outcome of the story (i.e., what happens next?). You will have only 4 minutes for each story, so just write the first things that come to mind as you look at the picture. Do NOT put your name on the pages; put your student ID number at the top of each story page. Your story will be interpreted by another member of your class, but it is important that this person not know who you are as this may bias the interpretation that is given.

Instructions for Interpreting the Stories:

Obviously, good interpretation of TAT stories is something that can only be done with extensive training. Nevertheless, you should find that some impressions readily come to mind as you read the stories. In your interpretation, pay special attention to the plots that are used. Is there any evidence of conflict between characters? Does the main character in the stories display any internal conflicts, concerns about controlling impulses, or feelings about external authority figures? What types of relationships are described between family members, males and females, and peers in the stories? How are feelings and conflicts resolved? Are there any aggressive themes? What types of characters tend to be the focus (hero?) of the stories - these represent the characters that the person identifies with the most. Thus, to effectively interpret a story, you need to

1. Identify the hero

2. Describe the needs that the hero has - what are the things that concern the individual in the story? Power, Love, Money, Survival, Fame? How does the character deal with these needs? Are several needs mixed together?

3. What forces are at work that interact with the hero’s needs to make him or her behave in particular ways? What sort of pressure does the hero place on him/her self? What sorts of pressures do others put on the hero?

4. Are the outcomes of the story positive or negative?

Writing a report:

The idea of the report is to present feedback to the person about his/her personality on the basis of what you learned in the test. This should include both positive and negative aspects of the person. Talk about some of the dominant themes that are expressed throughout the stories, in terms of needs, pressures, and conflicts. Speculate about how these things may be related to the person’s life situation. For example, across all cards you may see themes of stress coming from authority figures and thus interpret this as having to do with schoolwork and professors. Also, you may speculate about other aspects of the person’s life situation. How does the person react in situations concerning achievement, romance, and dealing with parents?