How Did Rorschach Use Inkblots?

Psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach was born on November 8th 1884. Rorschach’s father was a local art teacher who encouraged him at a young age to express himself creatively. In high school Rorschach took interest in Klecksography. Klecksography is the art of making images into inkblots. In 1904 Rorschach studied Botany and Geology at the Academie de Neuchatel. After this Rorschach attended the University of Berne and specialized in psychology.

During this period of time there was a strong interest in the development of psychoanalysis, which Rorschach took great interest in. Rorschach then wanted to expand the subject of psychoanalysis and began to wonder why people reacted differently to certain stimuli. Rorschach then connected this very question to the art of inkblots and began to wonder why people interpreted these patterns differently. While trying to find an answer to this question he came across Szyman Hens use of inkblots to study fantasies

For instance if someone was to hesitate after initially seeing the card Rorschach predicted that they might be showing shock to the card. It looks at how the test taker reacts to new and or difficult situations. Also comments that the test taker might have given during the test in addition to their direct answers. Also the form and color of the inkblot that triggers a response. Also they examine the location looking at which details triggered a response. They also look at the answer in the sense of creativity and popularity and these are aspects looked at in the analysis. The main goal of this test was to determine information about the test-takers cognition and personality variables. These variables included motivation, response tendencies, and cognitive operations. Although there was some controversy about the bias of the tests pathology scales, 80% of psychology graduate programs surveyed