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Interpretation of white space responses in children's Rorschach protocols
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|October 1, 1983
Summary
Rorschach white space responses (S) in children may indicate complex thinking, not hostility. This study found high S-response correlated with using more of the blot and complex cognitive features, challenging traditional interpretations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Traditional interpretations of Rorschach white space responses (S) often link them to hostility and oppositionality.
- Existing research suggests S responses may reflect cognitive differentiation and autonomy, but this is less explored in children.
- A systematic investigation into the significance of S responses in pediatric Rorschach protocols is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological significance of Rorschach white space responses (S) in children.
- To determine if S responses in children are associated with cognitive complexity, hostility, or oppositionality.
- To examine the relationship between S responses and other Rorschach variables, cognitive abilities, and behavioral ratings.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Rorschach, Thematic Apperception Test, and WISC-R to 47 children aged 7–13 years.
- Collected parental behavioral checklist data for each child.
- Analyzed Rorschach protocols, focusing on the frequency and characteristics of white space responses (S).
Main Results:
- Children with high S responses utilized the entire inkblot more frequently than those with low S responses.
- High S responders showed increased use of shading determinants, blends, and diverse content categories.
- No significant differences in behavioral ratings or projective hostility/negativism indices were found between high and low S responders.
Conclusions:
- Rorschach white space responses (S) in children appear to be associated with a tendency towards more complex cognitive construal of stimuli.
- The findings challenge the traditional view of S responses as solely indicative of hostility or oppositionality in pediatric populations.
- S responses in children may represent cognitive differentiation and a more elaborate approach to information processing, independent of age, IQ, or perceptual accuracy.