An Investigation on the Reliability of Human Figure Drawings

Summary

A review of the literature showed that prior reliability studies on the DAP have generally utilized atomistic graphic indices, while clinicians have claimed that the use of the DAP, in practice, has been to obtain global, personalized, impressions. Twenty Ss were twice administered the DAP with a five-week interval. Results showed that each of 9 judges were able to match the drawings of the same S from the two administrations at well beyond the .001 level of significance. The three judges with greatest DAP experience matched the 20 sets of drawings perfectly. The mean differences in correct matches for the three groups of judges (Ph.D. Clinical Psychologists, graduate students in Clinical Psychology, and college freshmen) although suggestive, were not significant. Results were contrasted with the findings of other approaches discussed in relation to other studies, and a number of research implications were noted.