Finger painting: a projective technique

Finger painting was used in a diversified program with two different groups of patients, primarily as a medium for expression of feeling that facilitated the collection of diagnostic data and the detection of change in mental status. It was found to be an economical method of eliciting data and monitoring change during therapy. In this technique the patient produces his own material and verbally associates to it thus giving a more objective profile of personality and psychopathology. Perusal of the literature revealed no recent studies of the technique and prompted a documentation of this project at the Reddy Memorial Hospital. The technique proved itself a worthwhile method of eliciting data but needs to be scientifically evaluated. Attempts should also be made to assess its ability to discriminate between different diagnostic categories in psychiatry.