The Thematic apperception test is an odd one all right. Unlike the Rorschach test, it asks subjects to interpret objective, identifiable images.Those images were taken from illustrated magazines of the 1930s. That means that as time has gone on they've become somewhat more archaic.
And ripped out of context, they're fairly eerie in the first place. The one above could be interpreted as vampirism, resurrection, haunting, or just the guy on the bed having a very vivid dream. Among other possibilities.
None of which is to say this test can't work. In fact, the open-ended nature of the test could allow patients to access a more creative side than usually comes out.
2 comments:
After looking at some of the sample pictures (a number of which appear sinister or is that just me and have I watched too many thrillers?), I can't help but wonder, not only who chose them, but who came up with the authorized list of responses the test givers refer to when they make their evaluations. Those are the people I'd find myself wondering about.
Like the Rorschach test I'm sure it has some value in allowing people to describe the way they see the world. Jung once said, 'The reason for evil in the world is that people are not able to tell their stories.'
Who knows? It could just be that they chose sinister images to stave off boredom. Of course there may be questions about the methodology. Like I'm sure you could argue about some of the evaluations.
Jung was onto something.Everyone has something different inside of them than is readily apparent to the world. There's something constructive about ways of bringing this out, without the pressure of just talking about yourself.
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