Animal and Human CATs with a School Sample

Abstract

Fifty-two school children were administered two forms of the CAT two weeks apart. Half received Animal form first and half received Human form first. Each form was scored as to the defense mechanisms and the various signs from a check list utilized. Analysis of the data by chi square revealed essentially no significant agreement between Animal and Human forms in eliciting or not eliciting the same defense mechanisms from a given child except for projection where if a child obtained a critical score on the Human form he most likely obtained one on the Animal form. However, using the check list there seemed to be considerable agreement between the two forms but with certain striking differences such as more negative reactions to the Animal forms. It was concluded that most of the differences obtained were based on pictorial determinants rather than a theoretical difference.