The Theory of Hermann Rorschach

Abstract

We trace the development of Hermann Rorschach’s ideas, from his early experiments, interests, and his medical thesis (1912) on reflex hallucinations to the writing of Psychodiagnostics ( 1921 ) in order to demonstrate that he was in the process of constructing a global theory of personality. The key to his experimentation with inkblots was the notion of representational or perceptual conflict, the psychological functioning of the tested person being reflected in the way responses are chosen. He conceived personality as a dynamic structure with a psychic apparatus that operates our relationships with the external and internal worlds of experience, thus highlighting the workings of the conscious/preconscious systems.

Editorial

“…Acklin (2024) offers a novel perspective on the life of H. Rorschach, of his thinking and ideas developed around the time that he created his inkblots, hence complementing the historical part of the answer to “Why does the Rorschach work?” Acklin’s work called to mind a research thread that has recently regenerated interest in the test’s origins aiming to reconstruct the original view that H. Rorschach had of his creation. In this framework, Andronikof (2023) described the perceptual decision-making process as the basic function triggered by the test. This, in turn, reminded me of two other recent articles on the everlasting question about the nature of the test.…”

Unravelling the Mystery of the Rorschach Test by Going Back to Its Origins

“…He argues for maintaining a balance between quantitative and qualitative approaches in the human sciences, using multiple methods and multidisciplinary involvement. Andronikof (2023) recalls Hermann Rorschach's fascination with perceptual puzzles and the conflicts of thought provoked by ambiguous stimuli. She shows how Rorschach was a precursor of the most up-to-date knowledge in neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, and personality.…”

“…Andronikof (2023) recalls Hermann Rorschach’s fascination with perceptual puzzles and the conflicts of thought provoked by ambiguous stimuli. She shows how Rorschach was a precursor of the most up-to-date knowledge in neuropsychology, cognitive psychology, and personality.…”