Relationship between family structure variables and sexual identification as measured by the Draw-A-Person Test

Abstract

A total of 358 college students were given the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP; Machover, 1949) along with a Family Structure Item Form. The sex of the person drawn was compared to the participant's sex and family background characteristics. Results support drawing of a same-sexed individual as normative, regardless of sex. However, a significantly larger number of women than men drew the opposite sex first. Compared to previous studies on Jordanian populations, women drew the opposite sex figure less often than their previous counterparts. This phenomenon and other findings pertaining to some significant family variables are discussed in a sociocultural context and suggestions for future research are presented.

The Relationship between Sketch and Personality: The Narcissistic Personality Inventory Research

“…The Draw-A-Person (DAP) test (Machover, 1949) is one of the most frequently used techniques by clinical psychologists (Anastasi & Urbina, 1994;Armstrong & Hauch, 1961;Arteche et al, 2010;Hammer, 1997;Haworth & Normington, 1961;Skybo et al, 2007;McHugh, 1966;Swensen, 1968;Willcock et al, 2011). Furthermore, there have been numerous assertions that figure drawings, as projections of inner feelings, thoughts, conflicts, compensations, and perceptions, significantly reflect personality features (Daoud & Breik, 2009). The underlying assumption is that a person projects important aspects of his or her "self-image" when asked to draw a figure (Aronoff & McCormick, 1990;Goodenough & Harris, 1950;Isaksson et al, 2009;Sidun & Rosenthal, 1987;Stucke & Sporer, 2002).…”