Rorschach Inkblot Method

Abstract

The Rorschach Inkblot Method (RIM) is a psychometrically sound performance‐based personality assessment instrument that consists of 10 inkblots printed individually on 6¾‐ by 9¼‐inch cards. Five of these blots are printed in shades of gray and black; two of the blots are in shades of red, gray, and black; and the remaining three blots are in shades of various pastel colors. The RIM is administered by showing people the cards one at a time and asking them to say what they see in them (“What might this be?”). In a second phase of the examination, respondents are asked to indicate where in the blots they saw each of their percepts and what made the percepts look as they did. The basic premise underlying Rorschach assessment is that how people look at the inkblots says something about how they look at the world, and the way people look at the world says something about the kind of person they are.

Personality Assessment in the Diagnostic Manuals: On Mindfulness, Multiple Methods, and Test Score Discontinuities

“…Once a series of potential percepts is formed respondents typically sort through these possible responses, selecting some and rejecting others before providing their description. Although the idea that performance-based tests are akin to a “psychological X-ray” that will uncover hidden truths despite the patient's best efforts to conceal them has not held up to empirical scrutiny (Meyer et al, 2011; Weiner, 2004), it is nonetheless true that performance-based test responses are more spontaneous—less tightly controlled—than are responses to self-report tests. Research confirms that it is more difficult for respondents to dissimulate on performance-based tests than self-report tests (Ganellen, 2008; Hartmann & Hartmann, 2014; Sartori, 2010).…”