Verbosity and projective test performance in the aged

Using normative data collected by Hayslip (1980) where form A of the Holtzman Inkblot Technique (HIT) was administered to 102 elderly adults, aged 59-94, correlational and factor analyses were carried out in order to investigate the extent to which response length (RL), as previously identified in HIT research with younger age samples, influences HIT scores. RL correlated significantly with HIT scores for 14 of 22 variables and loaded on two factors: A bodily integrity/vulnerability factor, and a cognitive problem-solving factor. While no differences in RL across sex and level of education were obtained, within-sample age effects (in favor of the younger) for RL were found. Implications of these data for the projective assessment of older persons were discussed.