Rorschach

Content Code definition. How many can be coded per response?

*What* is seen in the card. May code all categories that apply but only code each category once per response

Bl - content code

Blood; includes cuts, wounds, or menstruation. Internal red body parts are coded An only unless blood's presence is identified

Cg - content code

Clothing: bowtie, dress, hat... if the clothing is primarily decorative or style is emphasized, Art may also be coded.

Separating H/(H)/A/(A) from Hd and Ad

Code as a detail if the human/animal can't live without the parts it's been described as missing. Have the elaborate on what they mean when they say "woman" for example, cuz it sounds like a whole but might end up meaning just the head and neck

If more than one object in the blot is determined by color...

Code the most color-dominant (least form-dominant) option, UNLESS it's chromatic color, in which case code for degree of form dominance instead.

Assigning multiple cog codes

Cog codes often overlap, but assign only one for each single verbalization or discrete image. For instance, "bears clapping their hands together playing pattycake" could be INC1 (cuz they have hands) or FAB1 (because they're playing pattycake) but code only FAB1 because you should choose based on the code wiyh the highest WSumCog weight based on the table on page 112. That includes when there's multiple instances of same cog code--code just once and code to higher weight for WSumCog.

D - location code

Common detail area: response uses one or more frequently used detail areas. D locations use numbers 1-15.

Definition of Determinants

Characteristics of the block (such as color), or characteristics attributed to the block (like movement) that "determine" what a person sees.

Level 1 Cognitive Codes

Characterized by mild to modest; communicated relatively clearly in a benign, often playful or parenthetical manner

Definition of Form Quality

How well the object fits a particular location and how frequently it is identified by the average examinee

Hd - content code

Human detail, for incomplete human form seen on OUTSIDE of body (face, head, mustache...). Things coded in Anatomy are not Hd

M - determinant

Human movement: human activity, experience, sensation, and emotion (talking , resting, thinking, dreaming, feeling sad, holding arms up....) human activity can be done by a nonhuman and still be M (bears playing cards)

Interpretation: CT (card turns)

This behavioral manipulation of the environment: flexibility, indepencens, curiosity, disinhibition, avoiding a particular association, energetic approach to a task... if it's immediate it might suggest oppositional qualities. Remember that sideways

Dd - location code

Unusual detail: responses uses one or more rarely used detail areas. Dd locations use numbers 21-35.

U:

Unusual: form fit that is of intermediate frequency or accuracy (but not hugely inconsistent with the blot)

Interpretation: Ex

could be about feelings of exploding or being out of control, or fear of that. could be about power, excitement, or danger. consider the nature of the explosion.

INC (incongruous combinations)

implausible combination of things in a single response object (shrimp guitar). one subcomponent of the object must be illogical given the nature of the object (red lion, flying lion). INC1: implausible but not impossible combo (a person with a penis and breasts), although if they're called a hermaphrodite there's no INC. (just like 'a horse with wings' is INC unless it's called a pegasus then it's fine Code INC2 for more bizarre combinations (a guy with two heads, a winged penis) when key parts are missing that's fine, unless there's a weird inconsistency ("person w/o a head who is standing" or "person without a mouth eating")

Interpretation: NC

is there a theme to the C's? if not, could suggest richness of ideas.

MA (mutuality of autonomy) H & P

it's about internal representations of interaction between self and others MAPathology: explicit/implicit relationship where one thing is destructive to the other ("a cat that's been run over" "a fish getting ready to devour something"). could also count if both objects are damaged or harmed ("two bears in a fight with their fur all bloody") but if no harm is stated ("two bears in a fight") then it's not MAP MOR and MAP often go together but not necessarily ("a uterus with blood from the delivery" is just MOR) MAHealth: positive relationship with no power imbalance ("two people in love" "two bears giving each other a high five") often we code up to MAH if we're unsure. COP is ALWAYS coded when MAH is, but not vice versa. for instance, mere mention of people dancing is COP but if they're dancing together it's both COP and MAH. there must be that sense of mutuality for MAH, so something like "two people waving to each other" is only COP but "two friends waving to each other" is also MAH

Interpretation: human detail Hd

limited and less cognitively sophisticated conceptualization of others, or even a preoccupation with certain qualities

Dd99 - location code

location has no specific code in the book

Interpretation: SI

more cognitively complex task denoting effort, motivation, complex thinking, maybe creativity

CON (contaminations)

perception that two mutually exclusive things are occupying the same blot area, so there's a *visual* fusion rather than just a conceptual fusion. feels kind of psychotic. these are rare. Exs: "that's a bat with the wings, face, cheeks and mouth, it's flying" is seeing the whole card as just the face of a bat but the whole card as an entire bat at the same time. "a person standing and you can see his heart pumping, and he has a butterfly symbol on his white shirt" (the same piece of blot is both a butterfly symbol and an anatomical heart)

Interpretation: (H) whole human-like content/ (Hd)

person at times understands themselves and others in ways that are fanciful or unrealistic at expense of actual realistic characteristics and more mundne considerations

PER (personal knowledge justification)

personal knowledge/experience is used to justify a response: "It's a tulip. I know they look like that cuz I grow them in the backyard." it's a defesne of self image in a way that can be perceived as boastful, self-centered, and annoying. Don't code PER: fi the perosn is just trying to share their experience to make a personal connection with the examiner. also, if the respondent considers somethin gcommon knowledge (have you seen HP? it's like the dragon from that movie) just over that line would be ones where a personal expeirence is used for close to no reason (looks just like my dog Trixie)

Interpretation: Whole

preference to take on entire stimulus, doing this frequently reflects sophisticated cognitive effort. However, for cohesive cards (I, IV, V) using the Whole means something different than for more complex segmented cards (III, IV, X). Whole for complex cards might mean a more global and imprecise processing style. This would be shown through a vaguer response, or approximate responses without much detail (a finger painting; an unelaborated insect).

Interpretation: SumH (human content)

propensity to see people in inkblots. shows awareness of or interest in other people. Looking at the nuances of what respondent says about these people might show how others are viewed, one's own self-identification, or both.

Pu

pulls: examiner's efforts to manage card productivity. Pu is coded with fourth response to any cardwhen the examiner asks for the card back and gives a reminder. in this case, it's coded on fourth response to the card. You still record Pu if the respondent gives four responses and then voluntarily hands the card back. But, don't code Pu on the tenth card.

PEC (peculiar logic)

requires two elements: 1) using strained logic to justify or elaborate a response, and 2) strained logic is not prompted by examiner could be odd or confused reasoning ("it's coming apart because it's schizophrenic and doesn't know which of two names to take) or illogically restrictive/certain ("it must be a man and a woman because there are two") or both ("it has to be two kidneys because it is next to a horse") is the logic strained or is the logic self-evident? ("this section between the hills is dark and deep so it must be a valley" is not PEC despite certitude). later certitude isn't that weird, for example, if the certitude is in the CP after the assumed form has been uncertainly mentioned in RP

Interpretation: H (whole human content)

seeing whole, realistically portrayed humans. Involves more accurate, integrated, complete view of people so it's more cognitively sophisticated than seeing just human parts, and more realistic than seeing fantasized characters. When whole human content is synthesized with other elements might suggest more informed schemas for understanding people.

Interpretation: Art

sophistication but distancing from experience. there's more intellectual Art representing emotional experiences (symbolic works) and more decorative like jewelry that's more about external appearances

Interpretation: Animal Content A/Ad, (A), (Ad)

super commonly reported by all ages. involve less effort and processing to identify so an unusually high proportion of these identifications can mean cognitive simplicity or evasiveness, and suppressing info about the self. Animal parts less sophisticated than whole animals

Interpretation: common detail

taking on most obcious aspet of visual environment and doing a more manageable part of the task

T - determinant

texture plays a role in how shading of light and dark ink gradations are interpreted (a soft blanket, a furry pelt). Interpretation: this tactile level of experience relates to interpersonal needs or concerns

ABS (abstract representation)

treating part of the block as symbolic of a concept or idea (it's the sign of the Buddha's awareness; an abstract painting to deptic integrity; green for envy)

COP (cooperative movement)

two types: 1) mutually enhancing or satisfying interactions and 2) teamwork responses. mutually enhancing: "bugs having fun at a party," "monks praying." teamowork: "two wolves working together to hunt a rat" most common COP: "2 animals/people dancing." looking at each other is not enough! *an aside: if you have COP, check for MAH (you'll never have MAH without COP)

a - determinant. code "a" vs "p" up or down?

type of movement=active (fighting, a person lifting a heavy weight, a bird flying).

p - determinant. only code both a and p when...

type of movement=passive. "talking" is the most active of the passive movements. passive movements have relatively less effort and force which could mean less tension or structural stress (gliding, a soft breeze, a murmur.

Interpretation: Bl

universal sign of injury and suggestive of danger or damage. could also be associated with pleasure in injuring others. range from contained or benign (a drop of blood) to chaotic involving rage, terror, trauma. may be someone saw bloody scene in real life.

Interpretation: Cg

usually seen on person and not by itself. think about symbolism of decorative/fashionable clothing vs heavy or protective clothing, or clothing for cloaking/disguise. This score contribues to vigilance composite (v-comp).

4 S' of interpretation

1) SCAN for notably high or low scores (<80, >120) for one minute to become globally familiar with the data. 2) SIFT section by section (in order) with the referring question in mind especially. Admin Behaviors & Observations--prompts & pulls helps you understand complexity and card turning is really important to know. Complexity is super important for developing expectations for protocol validity. W/ complex records there's a lot of elevation so low codes/absence of codes is informative <neg predictive power>. W/ simplistic records scores are suppressed, so presence of codes/high scores is informative <pos predictive power>. Interpret meaning of complexity for this person--in which ways does it reflect intrinsic client qualities vs motivated reactions to assessment context?--look in profile appendix at 3 complexity subcomponents to see which elements are strongest. 3) SYNTHESIZE: look for themes, don't just try to confirm a hypothesis look to disconfirm hypotheses in progress as well. Review component parts most relevant to different aggregated variables. Maybe plot complexity adjusted scores if complexity <85/>115 (see separate flash card). 4) SUMMARIZE: yeah.

FAB (fabulized combinations)

2 entities integrated w/ each other in an illogical way FAB1: "2 bears giving a high five" is a common anthropomorphic interaction. "worms and crickets at a party"' because they chose to put them in a party. FAB2: "a conductor with a butterfly on his back helping him conduct" "four legs sitting on a butterfly they're crossed" "two people and their hearts are outside their body between them" no FAB: "two people the hearts between them symbolize their love" "two people and between them are red blotches" (don't code FAB for unexplained relationships)

AGC v AGM

AGC is essentialist, so aggression is inherent in the object (mean person) whereas AGM is about the action of the object (an angry person/a person yelling at someone) you can code both, for example "an angry tiger"

An - content code

Anatomy for internal body parts. Includes perceptions of anatomy from medical imaging devices (Pelvis bone, cells, intestines, MRI, Xray.....)

Ad - content code

Animal detail, for incomplete animal form (pelt, antler, animal head, wings...) Nothing from Anatomy.

FM - determinant

Animal movement: Animal activity, experience, or animals in movement (bears climbing, a snake stretching , a happy dog wagging...)

Ay - content code

Anthropology, for references to specific historical or cultural context (Indian arrowhead, Napoleon's hat, Mardi Gras....). Rare to have Art and Ay together. Artistic creations that are also cultural icons (eiffel tower) are Ay. If it's not culturally specific, don't code Ay (arrowhead isn't Ay but Totem Pole/Indian Arrowhead is)

Interpretation: Dd

Dds require focusing on atypical or small details to organize environment. Repeated use: perfectionistic, difficulty recognizing obvious, defensively avoiding obcious, drawn to source of emotional preoccupation, attempting to impose one's own way of looking at things onto the task, preferring to occupy oneself with minutiae of life

FD vs V

Dimensionality --> Shading --> Vista Dimensionality --> Form --> Form Dimension

Ex - content code

Explosion (fireworks, bomb blast, volcanic eruption...)

Fi - content code

Fire (flames, hot lava, smoke, embers....). Doesn't include steam or contrails from planes, but colored exhaust or blast from an engine would be Fi, not Ex.

Art - content code

For art objects or objects that are described as being ornamental (painting, ceremonial feathers, a fancy and delicate table, crest....) Rare to have both Art and Anthropology together unless strong justification ("an elaborately bejeweled Moorish scimitar").

NC - content code

For objects and contents that don't fit into other categories, including abstractions like depression or sensory experiences (cloud, landscape, lamp....). Any of these could be elaborated in ways that would mean replacing NC with other things (ex; a household lamp of the XIV period style would be Au). The purpose of NC is that it contributes to the complexity variable! Code NC only once/response.

Separating H from A

For things like "creature," "being," "just an upper body," default is to code H unless in elaborations, there's more emphasis on Animal characteristics or parts

F - determinant

Form: responses in which form is the only determinant. used as a default when no other determinant is coded, which means it's never part of a blend. Interpretation: simplification of a stimulus, so you're ignoring or failing to see all other possibilites

Interpretation: Pr

Giving to few responses could be due to limited ability/motivation that's either trait-related or situationally-related (cog deficits, emotional difficulties such as anxiety, interpersonal dynamics such as oppositionality, testing situation, bad rapport...)

if "a" and "p" are in the same object vs in different objects.

If in the same object, CHOOSE ONE and CODE UP! "two people sitting at the table debating politics" is active. You can code as both ONLY when there's two separate objects (one active one passive) such as "a person looking on while another person dances."

(A) - content code

Imaginary or cartoon whole animal (King Kong, unicorn, teddy bear, animal-like monster...)

(Ad) - content code

Imaginary or fictional animal detail (wings of dragon, animal mask...)

(H) - content code

Imaginary or supernatural whole human (ghost, human-like monster God, clown...)

m - determinant

Inanimate movement: mechanical or inorganic movement, including natural forces or tension states in inanimate objects (a picture hanging a rock falling, bleeding, a hide being stretched, a rocket firing......)

Level 2 Cognitive Codes

Irrational problem-solving, confusion, autistic reasoning, condensation, bizarre abstraction, delusional or hallucinatory tendencies, somatic confusion, or incomprehensible communication. Marked by flawed judgment, very unusual modes of expression, and bizarreness. Associated w/ schizophrenia or psychosis

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Minutes: Form fit is infrequent and inaccurate (inaccurate, distorted, or arbitrary, really hard to see how it could be seen on the blot). Interpretation: perceptual distortion and mistakes in judgment, so with a lot of minuses you might be someone who misinterprets situations in real life and copes poorly.

What are the categories of determinants?

Movement, type of movement, color, achromatic color, shading, form dimension, reflection, form

n

None: Response does not contain an object with definite form or outline. Generally they're just impressions based on color or shading of the ink (e.e., "coal, it's just black, there's no particular shape"). Unlike other FQ codes, you can't evaluate their degree of fit to the blot. Interpretation: many FQn codes might mean global, imprecise, vague, and impressionistic thinking

ODL: interpersonal dependency with coding that encompasses oral activity & dependent/passive imagery. Only code RP!!!

Oral content categories: food or drink (don't code animals unless invariable food implications), food sources and providers (setting the table, busty woman), passive food receivers (fat or skinny man, bird in nest), food organs (tongue, fangs), oral activity (breathing, smoking, talking), food objects (bra, straw), oral instruments (lipstick, brass musical instrument). Dependency content: passivity & helplessness (weeping willow, drunken person), "baby talk" (bunny rabbit, puppy dog), pregnancy reproduction (ovaries), struggle for life & regeneration (a new beginning), begging & praying, nurturers (Jesus, guardian angel, father), gifts and gift-givers (xmas tree, genie), good luck objects (wishbone, totem pole). Negations of oral/dependent percepts: woman with no breasts, no one is talking

O - form quality

Ordinary: Form fit that is relatively frequent and accurate. You can quickly and easily see them. Interpretation: this is a conventional and accurate way to process info

2 - object quality

Pair: identical objects based on symmetry of the blot. The objects CANNOT be part of the same organism or object (can't be eyes, or hands of one person)

Pr

Prompts: these are examiner's efforts to manage response productivity. Pr is coded with the first response on any card on which examiner prompts for another response. So, if they aren't giving a second response and you prompt it goes at the end of response #1.

Responses interpretation:

R normally in range of 20 to 30. deviations can be intrinsically or situationally motivated

r - determinant

Reflection: an object has a mirror image or reflection on the opposite side of the card's midline (different from pair because person doesn't perceive that there's actually two of it, it's just one that's reflected. CANNOT code pair and reflection for the same objects). Interpretation: need for mirroring affirmation or self-centered view

Interpreting color responses, interpreting chromatic color responses

Reporting color involves a relatively 'unfiltered' reaction to the blot that suggests sensitivity or reactivity to environmental stimuli and outside influences. Report

Sx - content code

Sex organs, activity, or clothing (penis, blue bra, see-through dress, ovaries....). Don't code Sx for secondary sexual features (like breasts) if mentioned when identifying body parts in a sequence of other non-sexual body parts or establishing gender, unless there's also sexually suggestive language.

Sy - object quality

Synthesis: two or more objects are meaningfully related or interacting in a response (two people looking at each other, a bear climbing a mountain...). Sy requires more sophistication of processing involved in relational thinking Threshold: "face to face, back to back, a person and a shadow, facing each other" all aren't quite enough interaction for Sy, versus "leaning on, standing behind, a person casting a shadow, coming from" are Sy Most Sy is a simple dyadic relationship (two people dancing, looking at each other), a simple vertical relationship (a person sitting on a stump) or more complicated meaningful connection. Sometimes it's just implied even without specific interaction (a family with parents here & the children down here; a couple in love; a bunch of shrimp gathered on a plate). CLOTHING is Sy if it's identified as a separate object in a visually distinct location, altering the shape of the person (a woman w/ a dress on that has a bow sticking out in the back) but if human & attribute are identical blot features (a guy with his head ducked down all you see is his coat) it's not. You MUST look at the blot in order to make this distinction about whether they're separate on the block or not. An: default to not synthesis--don't assume implied meaningful interaction if it's not in the language, UNLESS it's anatomy related to bodily fluids (a heart pumping blood)

Interpretation: Pu

Too many responses can be stylistic, emotiona, and cognitive: hypomania? ADHD? frontal lobe damage? need for achievement? obsessiveness? boundary testing?

DV (deviant verbalizations)

Using a mistaken or inappropriate word to describe something/to communicate. DV1: odd or non-standard but understandable verbalizations, poor syntax, easily understandable redundancies, unsophisticated language, stilted word use, neologisms (a clusteration of red; cell structure of something from the biography lab; i have a wide imagination) DV2: Language that is strikingly confusing or significantly impedes communication is a DV2, like if it leaves you bewildered/not totally sure of meaning (an ancillarian vestige pig) Corrected DV: can reduce DV2 to DV1 or change it from DV1 to no code depending on how it's corrected and how quickly Trivial redundancies/suffixes are NOT DV (greenish, two twins)

Vg - object quality

Vagueness: objects with vague or indistinct outline or boundary. Includes objects that are changeable and can take many different forms (blood, water, clouds...). It's about impressionistic perceptions and imprecise processing.

Movement as a determinant

When an object is seen in motion, subjected to force, involved in an experience, or is in a state of tension

SI - space code

White Space Integration: non-inked and inked areas are integrated. If the word white/equivalent phrase is used to describe a lightly colored area, code SI if it's integrated with other areas. If integration is unintentional, do NOT code SI (ex: for Card 1 when people say "a bat" they're referring to the whole but not actually *using* the white parts)

SR - space code

White Space Reversal: background area is focal point, figure ground are reversed. For ambiguous SR: Code SR when white space is prominently featured in response and is visually forward to some degree relative to an inked background (ex: "a triangular lake there in the middle (white part) with some land around it (grey part)"). "a wolf's head (grey) with white fangs (white) sticking down out of his mouth" is also SR because fangs are visually characterized as forward relative to the ink.

A - content code

Whole animal. "A" can be used for improbable or distorted anmals unless there's a specific indication that the animal is nonexistent ("some fairytale butterfly with hands")

H - content code

Whole human, including realistically described religious/historical figures and figures described as humans w/ non-human parts (e.g., a man with wings). Code H when nonhuman parts in the absence of indication that it's intended to be fictional or unreal.

V - determinant

a perception of depth/dimensionality due to light & dark shading ("a canyon in the darkness down there" "the shades make it look like you are seeing it through a fog"). Interpretation: adopting an anlytic, evaluative, or even judgmental perspective

C' - determinant

achromatic color. black, grey, or white in the ink contributes to response. ( grey bug, a white ghost...) you can have this in the same response as color. attending to black & grey features in your world can suggest dysphoric inclinations or an inhibition of affective experience

AGM (aggressive movement)

aggressive physical or mental activity occurring in RP, including tension states. so a movement code (M, FM, m) must be present too. "a bomb is blowing up a city," "he's angry look at his eyes"). this aggression must be currently occurring ("a painting with a bullet hole in it" is not AGM)

DR (deviant responses)

are off-task, so they're a loose association or are rambling. DR1: task-irrelevant info that doesn't directly address the Rorschach question but verbalization is clear & undrstandable. [the two step rule! if they say "I love rabbits" don't code anything, but if they then say, "my son has thought about getting a rabbit" you have enough to code DV1] DR2: markedly confusing rambling that doesn't return to the test problem or may be contradictory ("this is a type of bug no one in the world has ever seen before" due to the person's staunch certainty; "this is the butterfly I saw before" is treating it as too real; "the colors are scary, like trying to be subdued so you don't notice it but I do and it could sneak up on you" due to attribution of intentionality) NO DR: i must be hungry, i've seen too many movies, I don't have children, but...)

Interpretation: Sx

attention to sexual matters, or even preoccupation w/ this. fairly uncommon code because people are uncomfortable raising sexual matters iwth a stranger. could show decompensation into disturbed thinking patterns, preoccupation w/ sexual trauma, provocativeness toward the examiner (sometimes hostilely), effort to display maturity/sophistication

Interpretation: An

bodily, physical, or medical issues on their mind. could be more psychological than somatic. if it's psychological, could mean a concern with vulnerability & exposure. Included in CritCont%, PHR, EII-3 Xrays and medical scans might mean more controlled, objective, or muted expressions of somatic or vulnerable featues

INC vs FAB

both are for implausible combinations, but INC are when the combo is in one response object and FAB is when the combo is in at least 2

Interpretation: Ay

can be a self-conscious display of learning or intellectuality

C - determinant

color (no form): color determines response object, form doesn't factor in. ("the blood is red"; "it's like abstract art that represent the taste of a carrot--it's just orange)

CF - determinant

color form: color is dominant contributor, but form contributes too ("an orange carrot; it's the right color and kind of shaped like one too")

AGC (aggressive content)

content commonly perceived as dangerous or predatory. includes weapons (armor, axe), animals that are dangerous to humans (alligator, tiger), animal pats associated with potential for harm (claws, stinger), powerful environmental forces (forest fire but not fire), and threatening creatures/objects (devil, witch, king kong). be aware of cultural factors while also focusing on the perceived object ("two witches brewing an evil potion that's really harmless") is still AGC code AGC for "this or that" responses if one of the objects qualifies

MOR

damaged objects, or perceived distress in the object. )" a crumpled brown leaf," "person in a wheelchair," "a sad face/person feeling bad," "a deformed person," "buffalo skull.") Does NOT include anger (that's AGC), No MOR: skeleton in an anatomy lab, halloween skull, piece of art with an animal skull, animal skin that is stretched out

Interpretation: Sy

developmentally advanced cognitive processing & a penchant for combinatory thinking which involves evaluating how things relate to each other

<, v, >, @

different symbols for card orientation. when response is given to card in upright way and card is never turned, don't put any symbol at all. @: if card is turned at least 90 degrees before upright response is given. the pointy part of the symbol represents the top of the card (so < is left, for example)

Y - determinant

diffuse shading: light and dark ink gradations contribute to a response but do NOT create a tactile or depth-related sense of the object (an x-ray because of different shades of grey). Interpretation: many Y responses means person is anxiously attentive to these kinds of complicating features of their environment

FC - determinant

form color: form is dominant contributor to response object, but color contributes too ("an inverted carrot, it's long and tapered with the orange")

FD - determinant

form dimension: perception of dimensionality due to form (different from vista because in vista it's the ink gradations that make the sense of depth; with FD it's just the blot outlines). ("a rabbit behind a bush" "the feet are big and as you get up the head is smaller and further away"). behavioral foundation for FD tends to be less specific because responses are so variable

Interpretation: Fi

heat and danger, sometimes about rage or a person's temper, or passion. think about nature of fire (forest fire vs candle flame).