Influence of Stimulus Symmetry on the Movement Response

Summary

The symmetry of Rorschach stimuli has led to some theorizing that balanced composition may contribute to the production of M responses. In this study, Holtzman protocols from 95 Ss were analyzed for differences in number of M responses evoked by balanced versus unbalanced stimuli. An additional 30 protocols were obtained under conditions where symmetry was destroyed by masking half of the slide. Results indicated that symmetrical stimuli do not produce more M responses. This supports the idea that the M response originates on a level which is not directly influenced by the immediate environmental stimulation.