A Principal Components Analysis of Rorschach Aggression and Hostility Variables

Abstract

We examined the structure of 9 Rorschach variables related to hostility and aggression (Aggressive Movement, Morbid, Primary Process Aggression, Secondary Process Aggression, Aggressive Content, Aggressive Past, Strong Hostility, Lesser Hostility) in a sample of medical students (N= 225) from the Johns Hopkins Precursors Study (The Johns Hopkins University, 1999). Principal components analysis revealed 2 dimensions accounting for 58% of the total variance. These dimensions extended previous findings for a 2-component model of Rorschach aggressive imagery that had been identified using just 5 or 6 marker variables (Baity & Hilsenroth, 1999; Liebman, Porcerelli, & Abell, 2005). In light of this evidence, we draw an empirical link between the historical research literature and current studies of Rorschach aggression and hostility that helps organize their findings. We also offer suggestions for condensing the array of aggression-related measures to simplify Rorschach aggression scoring.

Inflammation and positive affect are associated with subjective health in women of the general population

“…Specifically, a connection between decreased morbidity and mortality and low negative affect (e.g. depression, hostility) (Katko et al, 2010;Lemogne, Fossati et al, 2010;Lemogne, Nabi et al, 2010), as well as high positive affect (e.g. happiness), have been shown before (Pressman and Cohen, 2005).…”

Assessment of bipolar spectrum and personality disorders.

“…Beyond self-reports, several Rorschach-derived indices are useful in assessing underlying aggression and hostility. These include the RCS AG (aggressive movement) score, the R-PAS AGC (aggressive content) index, and Meloy and Gacono's (1992) AgC (aggressive content) score (Katko et al, 2010). Used in conjunction with self-report tests, these performance-based measures can help clinicians identify divergences between a patient's self-reported and underlying aggression.…”

The Rorschach and Violent Crime

“…Although there has been a substantial amount of research on the different Rorschach aggression codes, the findings presented above do not provide a clear picture. Research into the interpretive meaning of the different aggression codes is compounded by the confluence of victimization/trauma and aggressive behaviors in the same subjects (Lang et al, 2002;Weiler & Widom, 1996). It is unclear to what extent elevations in aggression scores on the Rorschach are indicative of actual aggressive and antisocial behaviors or are reflecting a preoccupation with or fear of violent victimization (Baity & Hilsenroth, 2002;Liebman et al, 2005).…”

“…By means of principal components analysis, the structure of nine Rorschach variables related to aggression (AGM, MOR, A1, A2, AgC, AgPast, and Elizur’s Strong and Lesser Hostility) was examined in a sample of 225 medical students. The first component was defined by AgC, A2, and Lesser Hostility; the second component included AgPast, MOR, A1, and Stronger Hostility (Katko et al, 2010). Katko and colleagues (2010) conclude that to simplify Rorschach coding of aggression, assessors could limit themselves to AgC and AgPast.…”

“…The first component was defined by AgC, A2, and Lesser Hostility; the second component included AgPast, MOR, A1, and Stronger Hostility (Katko et al, 2010). Katko and colleagues (2010) conclude that to simplify Rorschach coding of aggression, assessors could limit themselves to AgC and AgPast. A recent study by Joubert and Webster (2017) examined the latent structure of Rorschach aggression scores in a sample of 108 children and adolescents who had been placed in foster care because of maltreatment from caregivers.…”