Aspects of intensity of affective constructs in depressed patients

Two groups, 10 subjects in each, one consisting of depressed patients and the others normal controls, ranked photographs of faces for two sets of six constructs. One set consisted of the critical constructs of the Bannister and Fransella grid test, while the other set of constructs were all related to affect. The depressed patients showed a higher intensity score for affective constructs than did the normal subjects. There was no difference for critical constructs. The affective intensity score decreased on two further retestings for the depressed group; for the normal group they remained reasonably constant. These results may shed light on the reorganization in construing aspects of affect which occurs with depression and its remission.