Thematic Apperception Test

Thematic Apperception Test

November 2007

The Thematic Apperception Test was developed by Henry A . Murray and C D . Morgan in 1935 . Johnson (1994 ) argues that The Thematic Apperception Test remains one of the most popular psychological assessment devices (p . 314 ) but others lament that the test is not being used very frequently nowadays (Cramer , 1999 . In the initial stages of its creation it was developed as a normal personality test The test was originally designed as a way of identifying an individual 's needs and personality traits . According to Gough (1948

, based on the nature of the Thematic Apperception Test , it is in truth and in fact a test of imagination . He points to several researchers , including the creators , who characterized the test as such . The first known instance of its use is at the Harvard Psychological Clinic (Johnson , 1994 . This test is very similar to the Rorschach inkblot test which was developed at around the same time by Hermann Rorschach , a Swiss psychiatrist

In the Thematic Apperception Test the subjects are shown a sequence of pictures , randomly organized by the psychiatrist . Based on what they see in the pictures the subjects are required to make up a detailed story which they tell to the psychiatrist . Subjects administered the test are able to demonstrate their cognitive abilities such as sequencing of ideas , intact language function , and verbal expression (Johnson , 1994 based on the requirement for them to tell a story based on visual stimulus . The TAT examines a number of underlying psychological motivators . The three motives that are most often investigated are the needs for achievement , affiliation and power (Lundy , 1988 ,

. 311

It is anticipated that the test serves as a useful way for the clinician to get a good understanding of the subject 's psych in a limited time (Gough , 1948 . Based on existing patterns , recurring images or themes existent in the narratives recounted by subjects , the clinicians can easily diagnose underlying needs , psychological issues and fears that could account for a client 's existing mental and psychological state According to Gough (1948 , procedures such as the TAT are able to shorten the time spent on these preliminaries (p . 91 . Johnson (1994 supports this point by emphasizing that the TAT figures as an essential element of several psychological assessments (Johnson , 1994

Among the several areas in which the Thematic Apperception Test has been used Deabler (1947 ) identifies several including for the purposes of personnel selection , for diagnosis of psychiatric conditions , in mental hospitals , reformatories , prisons , the armed services , child guidance centers and medical installation centers (p . 246

The test is intended to be used by trained clinicians with their clients in the privacy of their consultation rooms , for any of the purposes previously identified . The nature of the test is of such that it is conducted at an individual level , where the clinician works with a single client . At least in the very early stages of its use the TAT was used soled among individual clients (Deabler , 1947...