COUN 6360 Week 2 Assignment: Thematic Apperception Test, Assignments of Psychology

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Thematic Apperception

Test (TAT)

Introduction

It exposes underlying, inhibited tendencies which the subject is not willing to admit, or cannot admit because he is unconscious of them It is different from the Rorschach and other "inkblot“ projective tests TAT cards present a more structured stimuli TAT consists of 20 cards with pictures Derivative test of TAT is the Children‘s Apperception Test (CAT) developed by Belllak in 1954

Murray's Theory of Personality Murray also includes the social and environmental determinants of behavior it includes how people are affected by external forces and how their needs, attitudes and values influences their reactions A need can be provoked by internal processes or can be the result of environmental events

Alpha Press: objective and real aspects of the environment Beta Press: most behaviors are direct result of Beta Press To conceptualize the interaction between needs and press, Murray developed the term “thema“ A thema is a small unit of behavior, a pattern of related needs and press which gives meaning to the largest portion of his behavior operates largely as an unconscious force

TAT was designed to assess all units of thema Murrays theory is not a comprehensive understanding of personality but a listing and description of various psychological needs

Purpose of the Test widely used to research certain topics in psychology, such as dreams and fantasies, mate selection, the factors that motivate people's choice of occupations, and similar subjects.  (^) It is sometimes used in psychiatric evaluations to assess disordered thinking and in forensic examinations to evaluate crime suspects, even though it is not a diagnostic test.  (^) The TAT can be used to help people understand their own personality in greater depth and build on that knowledge in making important life decisions. Lastly, it is sometimes used as a screener in psychological evaluations of candidates for high-stress occupations (law enforcement, the military, religious ministry, for example).

• Introduction Part

Reliability and validity The task of achieving test validity is likewise difficult .one major problem lies in establishing agreed upon external criteria. Edwards personel preference schedule and adjective check list there is little correspondence.

Assets and limitations Development of tat over 40 years ago. TAT is a valuable tool for following reasons.

1. It offers access to the covert and deeper structures of an individuals personality.
2. There is less susceptibility to faking.
3. The focus is on the global nature of personality, general intellectual level, originality and problem solving styles.

Administration

 (^) The examiner will show some pictures one at a time, and subject will be making up as dramatic a stroy as he/she can for each picture card. 50 minutes for 10 pictures. The following story structure must be obtained: Instructions

 TIME time measured should begin when the picture is first presented and end when the subject begins his/her story.  RECORDING a subject's complete responses should be recorded. Procedures

 (^) QUESTIONING and INQUIRY. To produce an unhampered and free-flow of the subject's fantacy material.  ORDER OF PRESENTATION. Usually, the cards should be administered according to their sequential numbering.