Further Exploration of the Rorschach Aggressive Content (AgC) Variable

Abstract

Based on the recommendations of Baity and Hilsenroth (1999), this study further investigated the reliability and validity of the Rorschach Aggressive Content (AgC) variable developed by Gacono and Meloy (1994). Eighty-five aggressive objects identified by Gacono and Meloy, 19 potentially aggressive objects and 22 neutral (nonaggressive) objects were rated for aggressiveness based on the definition of AgC. Two hundred seventy-six participants rated objects on the Object Rating Scale (0-6), where a score of 0 indicates that an object does not fit the definition of AgC. In addition, objects rated a 4 (moderately aggressive) or higher were then classified into 5 qualitative groupings (weapons, animal/part of animal, environmental danger, fictional creature, and other). Analysis of the results indicates that the AgC list can be replicated and that objects rated as at least moderately aggressive (4) can be reliably classified into distinct categories. One-month test-retest reliability (r = .99) suggests that objects can be scored consistently using the definition of AgC and provides support for the utility of the AgC variable. Based on the results of this study, recommendations for the addition of the AgC variable to the list of content categories of Exner's (1993) Comprehensive System are presented and discussed along with scoring examples.