Issues In Forensic Psychology - Rorschach Technique

ISSUES IN FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
Rorschach Technique

The Rorschach technique, or what is sometimes called the "Inkblot test," is a projective test. Psychologists who use the Rorschach assume that the ambiguous features of its inkblots result in subjects projecting, or revealing, various characteristics of their personalities via their responses.
In fact, however, this is another example of theory continuing to prevail despite the unavailability of supportive data. As long ago as 1965, reviews of the Rorschach were quite critical: "Put frankly, the consensus of qualified judgment is that the Rorschach is a very poor test and has no practical worth for any of the purposes for which it is recommended by its devotees."
The development of the Exner system for scoring and interpreting the Rorschach saved it from the total disrepute into which it was rapidly sinking. A 1984 study reported that 82% of the graduate programs in psychology teaching the Rorschach relied primarily on Exner's "Comprehensive System."
Recently reported data, however, do not support the Exner system. Despite its theoretical assumptions to the contrary, for example, Exner's "Egocentricity Index" appears unrelated to personality characteristics such as self-focus, self-esteem, and narcissism.
A related review concluded that the Exner system has not realized the high-levels of inter-rater reliability it claims. Previous claims regarding the inter-rater reliability of the Exner system relied on unpublished studies. These studies were not subjected to the scrutiny of peer-review. In other words, two or more psychologists assessing the same Rorschach responses may score them quite differently. In such circumstances, at least one of the psychologists is mistaken.
Exner's "Depression Index" (DEPI) supposedly identifies subjects who are clinically depressed. A review of the relevant research, however, does not support the DEPI. It correlates poorly with objective measures of depression such as the Depression scale of the MMPI-2, and the Beck Depression Inventory.
Ultimately, the Rorschach invites psychologists to indulge in imaginative speculations unsupported by sufficient empirical data.

8. If you would like more information regarding the Rorschach, you may want to order following publication authored by Dr. Campbell.

"Cross-Examining Psychologists and Psychiatrists as Expert Witnesses." This is a 79-page, single-spaced outline, containing 214 footnoted references. This outline is bound. (Order article #15, cost $59.00).

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