Kinesthesis and the Rorschach M Response

Summary

Rorschach's hypothesis that production of M is accompanied by kinesthetic activation and associated hypotheses were tested by measurement of actual change in muscle potential while Rorschach responses were given. Electromyographic records from biceps of 30 college student Ss were recorded under conditions representing each hypothesis. No significant increase in muscle potential was associated with the production of M, FM, or imagined movement. A significant decrease was associated with looking at pictures of people in action. However, there was some indication that increased kinesthesis when producing Ms may be a matter of individual differences. Individuals who produced many Ms showed the kinesthetic effect, those who produced few Ms did not. Further, aggressive content reponses were associated with increase in muscle potential.