Personal problem-solving scoring of the TAT: sensitivity to training

Area of Science:

• Psychological Assessment
• Cognitive Psychology
• Personality Assessment

Background:

• The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a widely used projective tool, but its scoring and interpretation lack standardized methods, leading to reliability and validity concerns.
• The Personal Problem-Solving System (PPSS) is a procedure using TAT responses to assess problem-solving skills.
• Evaluating the PPSS's sensitivity to training is crucial for its clinical and research utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of targeted training on problem-solving skills on TAT responses as measured by the PPSS.
• To investigate whether enhanced knowledge of specific problem-solving strategies influences TAT narratives.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted with undergraduate students.
• Experiment 1 focused on training in generating alternative solutions; Experiment 2 focused on training in a decision-making utility model.
• Participants received either detailed or minimal training before responding to TAT cards.

Main Results:

• Subjects receiving detailed training in problem-solving skills demonstrated increased knowledge of those skills.
• This increased knowledge significantly influenced their TAT responses, as indicated by higher PPSS scores.
• Detailed training, compared to minimal training, led to measurable changes in TAT narratives relevant to problem-solving.

Conclusions:

• The PPSS demonstrates sensitivity to training in relevant problem-solving skills.
• Enhanced knowledge acquisition through targeted training can influence projective test responses.
• Findings support the construct validity of the PPSS as a measure of personal problem-solving skills.