The inhibition process, Rorschach human movement responses, and intelligence: Some further data.

Abstract

Rorschach (1942) originally observed that the human movement (M) response correlated with intelligence. Since then many investigators have confirmed this relationship, but the details of the relationship have received scant attention. In pursuing the relationship between the inhibition process, investigated by means of the Rorschach M response, and intelligence, the present authors undertook a survey of the reported relationship between M and various measures of intelligence. The results of this survey are presented in Table I. 1 It will be noted there is a striking uniformity in the magnitude of correlation between M and IQ. Across a variety of groups and with differing measures of intelligence, the correlations are generally low, but significant, and with the exception of two studies (Altus & Thompson, 1949; 19S2) only linear relationships are reported. The median value of the M-IQ correlations is .26. 2 Second, we noted

Intelligence test performance and the delay function of the ego.

“…The low correlations among the different measures, and the fact that time estimation and M do not correlate, suggest that there may very well be more than one important style of control (Singer, Wilensky, & McCraven, 1956). The fact that M does not correlate with time estimation is consistent with other recent findings which suggest that the M response in childhood and adolescence does not have the same interpretive value as in adults (Levine, Spivack, & Wight, 1959;Litwin, 1957). One reservation should be kept in mind in that the present population was an emotionally disturbed one.…”

“…The finding with digit span indicates that in adolescents not only are delay mechanisms related to general level of intelligence, but that the specific operation of such mechanisms may be identified in the details of intelligence test performance itself. This finding, along with those of prior studies with adults (Levine, Glass, & Meltzoff, 1957;Levine, Spivack, & Wight, 1959) indicate that it may eventually be feasible to discuss intelligent "behavior" within the general framework of ego psychology. The task remains to explore further various relationships between measures of control and qualitative aspects of intelligence test performance.…”

“…Many studies have shown low, but significant, correlations between Rorschach human movement (M) responses and general intelligence (Levine, Spivack, & Wight, 1959). The M response has been conceptualized as both a product and a measure of the delay function of the ego, or of inhibition ability (Singer, 1955;Singer, Wilensky, & McCraven, 1956).…”

The Relationship Between Inhibition of Motor Response and Cognitive Performance*

“…SINGER (1 955) has impressively documented the fact that many psychologists notably Freud (1950, p. 553, originally 1900 ; and 1959, p. 16, originally 191 l), Thurstone (1924) and Harlow (1958, p. 282) have hypothesized an association between the capacity to inhibit motor responses and level of cognitive performance. Evidence for this hypothesis has been provided by Meltzoff and Levine (1954), Levine, Glass and Meltzoff (1957), Levine, Spivack and Wight (1959) and Spivack, Levine and Sprigle (1959). The most obvious hypothetical antecedent conQtion of this relationship is.…”

Rorschach correlates of activity level in high school children.

“…The active M subjects were more motor inhibited than the passive M ones. More detailed discussions of relevant studies are available (Levine, Spivack, & Wight, 1959;Spivack, Levine, Fuschillo, & Tavernier, 1959).…”