The Rorschach Test and the Assessment of Object Relations

Abstract

Summary: The study attempts to demonstrate a structurally-based consistency to subjects' object relations as measured across various independent ratings. Particular interest was aimed at the capacity of the Rorschach to tap developmentally crucial aspects of the structure of patients' object relations. A scale was developed to measure the degree to which relationships between figures on the Rorschach were perceived in terms of a mutuality of autonomy. These Rorschach ratings were then correlated with independent measures of this mutuality of autonomy dimension which were obtained from a written autobiography, and ratings by ward staff. Based on a sample of 40 inpatient subjects, the resulting intercorrelation among measures proved to be highly significant.