[The ideal image and sex role norms in the Giessen Test]

This study was intended to test the assumption whether the ideal-image measure within the Giessen-Test reflects the specific personality as hypothesized by psychoanalytic theory or a general norm-orientation. To test this assumptions the items of the Giessen-Test were transformed an submitted to random samples of in- and out-patients. The results clearly indicate that the ideal-image as measured by the Giessen-Test is a general norm-orientation and consists of the dimensions "social-acknowledgement" and "capability of binding". Within the second dimension there seems to be a gender difference. Additional analysis of variance and Cronbachs alpha indicate that differences between in- and out-patients are the result of a possible "curative effect".