Class 3 Flashcards
Four Principles of Administration
- Follow standardized procedures (important to have same stimuli for everyone)
- The examiner is non-directive (let the client lead)
- Capture the client’s performance accurately (write down all that is said by the client and you)
- Focus on what the client sees and how they see it (I.e., solve the problems the inkblots presents)
Materials
The 10 Rorschach cards in order
At least 2 Location sheets (out of sight)
Two pens
Clipboard
OR now with the RPAS administration you can use a laptop (RPAS provides a Word template for ease on laptop)
Preperation
Have at least an hour for the test
Quiet area with no distractions
Establish rapport
Ask what they know about the Rorschach
- Investigate their knowledge of the Rorschach
- Clarify any misunderstandings
- “I want you to tell me what they look like to you”
Move to side-by side seating, slightly behind
Have the cards face down in order with card I at top
Possible coaching or motivated distortion
Ask directly about preparation
If so, decide whether to proceed
If proceed, ask client if willing to be honest and spontaneous
Be familiar with public availability of materials
Two Phases
- Response phase (RP)
- What might this be? - Clarification phase (CO)
-Carefully worded questions to resolve coding ambiguities
Response Phase
“I will hand the inkblots to you one at a time and your task is to look at each card to answer the question ‘What might this be?’ Does that make sense?”
“Try to give 2 responses, or maybe 3 to each card”
Hand the first card upright and have them take it.
“What might this be?”
Administration Issues
What might this be? Then be quiet, look at your paper. Let there be a long silence if needed.
Keep location sheets out of sight (but don’t be secretive)
Administration requires energy and focus; don’t be hung over of feel ill
Abbreviations/Shorthand
Very helpful!
See page 26 of the RPAS Manual
Practice with them!
Things Not to Say or Do
Avoid saying “ambiguous” or “unstructured”
Avoid saying there is no right or wrong answer (Can say “different people see different things”)
Avoid saying “most people… can or should say or do something”
Do not mislead the client into thinking that imagination or creativity is being tested
Responses to Questions
Can I turn it? Should I use the whole thing?
> “It’s up to you.”
How are they made?
> Briefly explain and move on
Does everybody look at different ones?
> “No, it’s a standard set; everyone gets the same ones”
What does it mean? Is there a right answer?
> “Let’s discuss that once the testing is completed.”
Do you see it?
> Response phase: “Let’s come back to that after we go through the cards.”
> Clarification phase: “Yes, I see it. Or No, not yet”
Prompt and Pull
“What might this be?” is generally needed on the first couple of cards
If only 1 response
> PROMPT for another, but only 1 prompt per card
> First occurrence say “we would like 2 or maybe 3 to each card, so please try to give another.”
After 4 responses, PULL the card
Don’t accept card rejections
- “Take your time, there is no hurry. Look some more to see something else too.” Maybe add “you can do it.”
If 15 or fewer responses
“That was fine. However, we need a few more responses for the test to be helpful. So let’s go through the cards again. Take your time when looking at them and see what other things you can come up with.”
Start with Card I and say, “What else might this be?”
Do not use extra prompts
Not necessary to get a response on each card
Do not present a card on which they already gave 4 responses
Once there are 4 responses, pull the card
Add these additional responses to the protocol and in the Clarification phase, clarify card by card (integrating the supplementary responses with each card)
Phase 2: Clarification
Used only to resolve scoring uncertainties (location, determinants)
Clarify key word or phrases: (pretty, ugly, rotten, wild, mysterious, back there)
Focus the questions to resolve coding dilemmas
Write down everything said as best you can
Phase 2: Clarification (Cont.)
“Now we are going to start the final step. While looking at the cards I want to review your responses with you to clarify what it is that you saw and how you saw it. So we will look at the cards one by one. I will read your responses back to you, and I want to show where on the cards you were looking and what about the inkblot made it look like that to you. Does that make sense?”
Answer questions about the CP directly
Repeat each response verbatim
Write down what is said and note significant gestures
Identify non-obvious and salient components on the location sheet
Can use “5=W” as appropriate
Phase 2: Clarification (Cont.)
Usually involves no more than 1 or 2 questions
Be as non-directive as possible (to minimize the danger of influencing the client)
Clarification questions are not always needed (you may already have enough information to score from the RP)
Location clarification is rarely needed (no need to be overly precise)
