The Rorschach inkblot test is a well-known psychological assessment that has captured the attention of many through its media appearances, such as comic books and television shows. However, the true nature and purpose of the test may still be shrouded in mystery for many. Let’s take a quick personality test to give us some insight into what the test actually is. Look at the series of pictures, and pick the answer that best describes what you see. Keep track of your answers! (Read article on laptop for the best experience)
 | A: Necktie B: Mask C: Flower D: Butterfly E: Beetle F: Bat |
 | A: Bowtie B: Four people looking in different directions C: Frog D: Two people dancing E: Two hands pulling people apart F: Man looking in the mirror |
 | A: A towering monster B: Feeding birds C: A deep forest D: A town in a storm E: A mountain F: A man looking down on a child |
 | A: A vase B: Two rabbits C: Bunting D: Two women speaking E: The top half of a dress F: A necklace |
 | A: A countryside view B: A path into the distance C: A woman in a dress D: A moth flying into a light E: Two lions climbing a mountain F: Possums |
Let's review your results! Remember, this test is for fun only:
Mostly As | Mostly Bs | Mostly Cs | Mostly Ds | Mostly Es | Mostly Fs |
You’re a realistic person with clear insight into objective truth, but you lack creative thinking. | You’re an investigative person and appreciate precision and empirical deductions. Your favourite subject may be math. | You’re an artistic person and enjoy expression and originality, but you may find empiricism difficult. | You’re a social person, and you like helping others achieve their goals. But you forget to prioritise yourself at times. | You’re an enterprising person, who creates opportunities and uses the talents of others well. | You’re an organised and systematic person, but you can get stuck in traditionalist views. |
What you did just now was an extremely simplified version of Hermann Rorschach’s Inkblot test. Was it accurate? Maybe, or maybe not. Now, let's learn more about the basis of this test, and how it became the controversial test it is today.
What is the Inkblot test?
The Hermann Rorschach's Inkblot Test, commonly known as the Rorschach test, is a projective personality assessment tool that has been widely used in psychology for almost a century. Developed by Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Hermann Rorschach in the 1920s, the test aimed to reflect unconscious parts of the subject’s personality that “project” onto the stimuli, based on the subject’s interpretation of the inkblot images.
Rorschach initially developed over 40 inkblot cards, but only 10 made the final cut.
His test consists of ten symmetrical inkblots, five cards are of achromatic nature, two are of black and red ink, three are chromatic on a white background. Subjects are asked to describe what they see in each inkblot, and their responses are analysed for insight into their personality, emotional state, and thought processes.
However, over the years, the Rorschach test has been subject to various controversies and debates regarding its reliability, validity, and scientific basis. Critics argue that the test lacks solid empirical evidence and has limited standardisation, making it difficult to interpret and compare results across individuals. Let's delve into the controversies and examine the validity of this projective personality assessment.
Controversies
Lack of Standardization: One of the main controversies surrounding the Rorschach test is the lack of standardised administration and scoring procedures. Different psychologists and practitioners may interpret and score the responses differently, leading to inconsistencies and subjective judgments.
Cultural Bias: Critics argue that the Rorschach test might be culturally biassed, as people from different cultural backgrounds may have different perceptions and interpretations of the inkblot images. This can potentially affect the validity and reliability of the test.
Limited Scientific Evidence: Some researchers question the scientific basis of the Rorschach test, suggesting that it lacks strong empirical evidence to support its claims. Critics argue that the test relies heavily on subjective interpretations, making it difficult to establish its reliability and validity.
Over Reliance on Projective Techniques: Another controversy surrounding the Rorschach test is the overreliance on projective techniques in general. Critics argue that projective tests, including the Rorschach test, may not provide accurate or reliable information about an individual's personality traits and psychological functioning
Validities
Clinical Utility: The Rorschach test has been used in clinical settings to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning for individuals with mental health conditions. Proponents argue that the test can provide valuable insights into a person's psychological functioning and help guide therapeutic interventions.
Supplementary Tool: Many current day psychologists view the Rorschach test as a supplementary tool rather than a standalone assessment. They suggest that when used in conjunction with other psychological assessments and clinical interviews, the Rorschach test can provide a more nuanced understanding of an individual's personality and psychological well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Rorschach test remains a subject of controversy in the field of psychology. While critics question its reliability and scientific basis, proponents argue for its comprehensive assessment and clinical utility. It is important to consider the limitations and controversies surrounding the test when interpreting its results. As with any psychological assessment tool, it is crucial to use the Rorschach test in conjunction with other assessments and clinical judgement to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's personality and psychological well-being.
Interested? Watch this video to learn more!
Reference List
Foster, K. (2018). The Use Of The Rorschach Inkblot Test In Psychology | BetterHelp. [online] Betterhelp.com. Available at: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychologists/the-use-of-the-rorschach-inkblot-test-in-psychology/ [Accessed 27 Feb. 2024].
Heywise (2020). Inkblot Test - Can We Guess Your Personality? [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSLeEQnlElQ&t=42s [Accessed 27 Feb. 2024].
Mondal, A. and Kumar, M. (2021). Rorschach inkblot test and psychopathology among patients suffering from schizophrenia: A correlational study. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, [online] 30(1), pp.74–74. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_74_20.
Warburton, L. (2023). The Rorschach Inkblot Test - the Challenged - Medium. [online] Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/the-challenged/the-rorschach-inkblot-test-f3e3039e218c [Accessed 27 Feb. 2024].
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