Related Experiment Videos
Developmental quality and developmental level in Rorschach scoring: a question of shared meaning
C M DeCato1, A I Alterman, L Slap-Shelton
1Widener University.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Developmental Quality (DQ) and Developmental Level (DL) scoring in the Rorschach Comprehensive System may not be interchangeable. New research on alcohol-addicted men shows low correlation, suggesting distinct meanings for these Rorschach measures.
Area of Science:
- Psychological assessment
- Psychopathology
- Rorschach testing
Background:
- The Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) includes measures of developmental functioning.
- Friedman's Developmental Level (DL) scoring and Exner's Developmental Quality (DQ) are two such measures.
- Previous research suggests potential differences between DL and DQ.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the semantic overlap between Friedman's DL scoring and Exner's DQ in the Rorschach Comprehensive System.
- To determine if DL and DQ can be used interchangeably in clinical interpretation.
Main Methods:
- The study analyzed Rorschach area components from 20 men diagnosed with alcohol addiction.
- Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between DL and DQ scores.
Main Results:
- A low correlation coefficient (r = .32) was found between DL and DQ scores.
- This indicates a limited shared variance between the two scoring methods.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that DL and DQ are not measuring the same construct.
- Clinicians should exercise caution when inferring identical meanings from DL and DQ scores in the Rorschach CS.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the distinct contributions of DL and DQ in assessing psychological development.