Thematic Apperception TesT • is a projective test consisting of a series of pictures in which the examinee is requested to create a story about the picture • method of revealing to the trained interpr.
Thematic Apperception TesT • is a projective test consisting of a series of pictures in which the examinee is requested to create a story about the picture • method of revealing to the trained interpreter some of the dominant drives, emotions, sentiments, complexes and conflicts of personality • Apperception – refer to the process of projecting fantasy imaginary onto an objective stimuli History: was conceptualized by Henry Murray and Christina Morgan on 1935 • Henry Murray – was born on May 13, 1893 into a wealthy family – Has a good relationship with his father but poor one with his mother, that result him to feel depression – A turning point in his life occurred at the age of 30, when he met and fell in love with Christina Morgan, though married for year – Carl Jung advice him not to stop the relationship with Morgan and keep both relationships (1925) Christina Morgan - Born in Boston on October 6, 1987 - Had a lot of health problems - Drowned herself on March 14, 1967 at the Virgin Islands • Morgan – Murray Thematic apperception Test – the original name of the TAT but later on Murray is given primary credit for the test, along with the staff of Harvard Psychological Clinic • 1938 the year that Tat was established in Harvard Psychological Clinic • Explorations in Personality in which the description of TAT was included • Murray’s Theory of Personality The TAT is so integrally involved with Murray’s concept of personality that a survey and knowledge of his basic theoretical components is important In constructing the theory, Murray emphasizes the biological basis as well as the social and environmental determinants of behavior He is also consistently aware of how individuals interact with their environment • 1960 – Mrs Uma Coudhary developed Indian Adoption of TAT • Human Potential Movement – encouraged psychologists to use TAT to help their clients understand themselves better and stimulate personal growth General Conditions: • to be administered in an interpersonal setting • TAT materials consists of 20 cards on which ambiguous pictures are presented -”M” for males, “F” for females -”B” for boys, “G” for girls -”BM” for boys/males, “GF” for girls/females • The selection of cards may be idiosyncratic to the patient’s presenting problem SEQUENTIAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (SNS) a) administered to females and males in exact order : 1, 2, 3BM, 4, 6BM, 7GF, 8BM, 9GF, 10, 13MF b) administered to any males: 1, 2, 3BM, 4, 6BM, 7BM, 11, 12M, 13MF c) administered to any females: 1, 2, 3, 3BM, 4, 6GF, 7GF, 9GF, 11, 13GF • Research purposes : Keiser and Prather (1990) specified Murray’s frequent cards - 10 most frequent cards : 1, 2, 3BM, 3GF, 4, 5, 6BM, 6GF, 8BM and 8GF • During administration, the subject should be seated beside the examiner with his or her chair turned away General Discussion • This reflects the subject’s particular beliefs about, and attitudes toward, death and the dying process For example death may be viewed as a passive, quiet process, or, in contrast, it can be violent, aggressive situation If the subject is having an extremely difficult time coping with the death of a friend and relative, the themes on Picture 15 can provide useful information as to why this difficulty is being experienced The story might also indicate unexpressed and problematic anger directed toward the dead person, because of sense of abandonment Picture 16 : Blank card General Discussion • The instructions for this card are: • Imagine a picture and then tell a story about it From the subjects with vivid and active imaginations, this card often elicits extremely rich, useful stories; and the amount of detail and complexity in a person’s stories have been found to correlate with different measures of creativity (Wakefield, 1986) The card does little to shape or influence the subject’s fantasy material and can thus be seen as relatively pure product of his or her unconscious However for anxious, resistant, or noncreative subjects, this card often a little or no value because the stories are usually brief and lack of depth or richness In considering the story, is helpful to note whether the depiction involves a scene that is vital and optimistic, or one that is desolate or flat Picture 17BM : A naked man is climbing up (or down) a rope General Discussion • Because the card depicts a naked man, attitudes regarding the subject’s personal body images are often revealed They in turn may bring out themes of achievement, physical prowess, adulation, and narcissism Possible homosexual feelings or anxiety related to homosexuality also becomes evident in the stories of some subjects Picture 17GF : A female is standing on a bridge over water Above the bridge is a tall building, and behind the building the sun is shining from behind clouds General Discussion • Attitudes toward a recent separation or the impending arrival of a loved one are sometimes described This card can be particularly useful in cases of suicidal depression, where the figure on the bridge is perceived as contemplating jumping off, as a last attempt to resolve her difficulties As with Picture BM and 14, an inquiry into the specific difficulties the story character has encountered and the manner in which she has attempted to resolve these difficulties can often reflect the subject’s manner and style of coping with his or her own difficulties Picture 18BM : A man dressed in a long coat is being grabbed from behind Three hands are visible General Discussion • This picture, more than any others, is likely to produce anxiety because of the suggestive depiction of invisible forces attacking the figure Thus, it is important to note how the subject handles his or her own anxiety as well as how character deals with his or her situation Picture 18GF : A woman has her hands around the throat of another woman In the background is a flight of stairs General Discussion • The manner in which the subject handles aggressive, hostile relationships with the other women is primary type of information this picture elicits Particular note should be made of what types of events trigger this aggressiveness, and of the manner in which the conflict is or is not resolved Feelings of inferiority, jealousy, and response to being dominated are also often described Although the representation of aggressiveness in the picture is quite explicit, subjects occasionally attempt to deny or avoid this aggressiveness by creating a story in which one figure is attempting to help the other one up the stairs This may point to general denial and repression of hostility on the part of the subject Picture 19 : A surreal depiction of clouds and a home covered with snow General Discussion • Because this is one of the more unstructured cards, the subject’s ability to integrate disparate visual stimuli is tested For certain subjects, the ambiguous nature of this picture can create anxiety and insecurity The examiner can then observe how the subject handles his or her anxiety in the context of the story Often the stories produced deal with impersonal aggression from forces such as nature or the supernatural Picture 20 : A hazy, nighttime picture of a man leaning against a lamppost General Discussion • The picture often elicits information regarding a subject’s attitudes toward loneliness, darkness, and uncertainty Fears may be stated explicitly through gangster stories As with Picture 18 BM, the method of handling these fears and the examinee’s response to physical danger should be noted ... – the original name of the TAT but later on Murray is given primary credit for the test, along with the staff of Harvard Psychological Clinic • 1938 the year that Tat was established in Harvard... Psychological Clinic • Explorations in Personality in which the description of TAT was included • Murray’s Theory of Personality The TAT is so integrally involved with Murray’s concept of personality that... environment • 1960 – Mrs Uma Coudhary developed Indian Adoption of TAT • Human Potential Movement – encouraged psychologists to use TAT to help their clients understand themselves better and stimulate