Class 8

Question 1

Interpretation of Indicators

Answer 1

See Handout for Interpretive Information

Also see Manual
- Pp 317 to 376 Recommendation for Interpretations
- Pp 442 to 458 Variable Selection and Validity

Interpretive Principles
- Pp 317-321

Interpretive Procedures
- Pp 321-328

Question 2

Interpretive Strategies - The 4 S’s

Answer 2

Scan, Sift, Synthesize, and Summarize

This process builds the nomothetic backbone to structure key findings, and then modifies these interpretations based on idiographic response process considerations

Question 3

Interpretive Activities: Scan

Answer 3

Quickly scan Profiles for high or low scores
- The red and black icons
- Should take a minute or less
- Start with Page 1 and move to Page 2

Goal is to be familiar with the scores before beginning formal interpretation
- Just so there are no surprises later

Question 4

Interpretive Activities: Sift

Answer 4

Sift carefully through the interpretive possibilities for each variable
- Score by score, section by section, page by page

Sifting vs. Synthesizing
- Sifting: Refining the meaning of the specific score
- Synthesizing: Linking information and inferences across scores
- Reciprocal processes; not separate activities

Go through the Interpretive handout indicator by indicator and pull out the possible interpretive meaning of each one.

Create a list of possible characteristics of the client.

Begin grouping findings into themes.

Question 5

Complexity: Key variable to understand

Answer 5

What does it mean for this individual?
- Is it as expected given other info?
- Consider reactions to the assessment context
- High is not necessarily healthy and low is not necessarily unhealthy

Recognize its likely impact on other scores; e.g.,
- When high, attend to what is not elevated
- When low, attend to codes & what is elevated
- If low (<85) or high (>115), use Complexity Adjusted scores
–> But must understand what the level of complexity means for this person before removing its impact on other scores

Question 6

Interpretive Activities: Synthesize

Answer 6

Consider how all the variables in each domain together help form an overall picture of the person’s functioning in that domain.

• Being mindful that Page 2 variables have less empirical support

Actively challenge hypotheses and beware of confirmation bias
- Actively seek information to challenge or contextualize your inferences

Question 7

Interpretive Activities: Summarize

Answer 7

Formulate final answers to referral questions

Clarify uncertainties and contradictions and challenge inferences a final time
- If test results conflict with info from other sources, seek clarification from the respondent

Focus on what was learned from administering this complex visual-spatial task, as well as what still needs to be determiend
- Address strengths, not just limitations
- Attend to what is atypical or unique to the person, as well as any resources suggested by average-range scores

Question 8

For Assignments

Answer 8

Sift - create a list

Synthesize - come up with major themes you notice among the indicators

Summarize - answer the questions posed

Question 9

Template

Answer 9

To do this, create a template (from the interpretive handout) that you can “save as” for each Rorschach you give.

Then you can go through it highlighting indicators as they apply to the case or delete those that offer no meaning.

Question 10

Coding Movement in Art

Answer 10

Always passive!!