It is in this way that the theory, definition, and consequent measurement of personality becomes a recognised approach.
As this essay focuses upon the Rorschach technique a definition of personality is given by Bell (1948), who wrote extensively on projective personality tests will be used as it is provides and appropriate definitions of personality for the test under evaluation. Bell does not make a structured definition but states that there are four underlying components regarding personality. First, personality is flexible and dynamic. Secondly, personality has a structure just a real as the individual's physical being. Thirdly, personality has reactive quality, bringing it to life and giving it a momentum of its own, and finally he believes that much of what makes up a person's personality lies undiscovered and this means that the individual is not what they appear to be. It is with these theoretical assumptions in mind that the rationale behind the Rorschach will be discussed.
Projective techniques for measuring personality arose from the theory of Sigmund Freud who first suggested "the projective hypothesis" (Francella, 1981). This means that the individual's unconsciously repressed thoughts, wishes and fantasies could be projected onto other stimuli or people. Further, once projection occurs, that defence mechanisms (how the person unconsciously copes with distressing issues) could be penetrated and addressed. However, it was Hermann Rorschach (1884-1942) who developed the idea that ink blots could be used in such an approach. His aim was to develop a global approach to personality measurement (Anastasi, 1981), and he believed that the way to do this was to rely upon the individual's perceptual capacity using ink blots. As demanded in the essay title a description of the method will now be given.
The test itself is comprised of 10 cards featuring ink blots that are bilaterally symmetrical in design, intentionally ambiguous, and to which there are no right or wrong answers.
