John Suler's PhotoPsychology
What's on your mind?
The Thematic Apperception Test (most psychologists just call it the TAT) consists of a series of cards with pictures on them. The pictures, which usually contain people, are somewhat ambiguous. The person taking the test is instructed to make up a story based on what he or she sees in the picture. An analysis of the stories reveals insights into the individual’s personality and lifestyle. People tend to project their own wishes, fears, and concerns into the story they create.
Card 16 of the TAT is completely blank. People taking the test are surprised by this, and not sure what to do. The psychologist instructs the person to make up any story that comes to mind. The story they tell usually is a variation on one of the stories that they created for a previous card. This suggests that the previous card was particularly effective in stirring up their emotions. The ideas they perceived in that card are lingering in their minds.
I tell my students that Card 16 is actually a polar bear drinking milk in a snow storm.
What's on your mind?
The Thematic Apperception Test (most psychologists just call it the TAT) consists of a series of cards with pictures on them. The pictures, which usually contain people, are somewhat ambiguous. The person taking the test is instructed to make up a story based on what he or she sees in the picture. An analysis of the stories reveals insights into the individual’s personality and lifestyle. People tend to project their own wishes, fears, and concerns into the story they create.
Card 16 of the TAT is completely blank. People taking the test are surprised by this, and not sure what to do. The psychologist instructs the person to make up any story that comes to mind. The story they tell usually is a variation on one of the stories that they created for a previous card. This suggests that the previous card was particularly effective in stirring up their emotions. The ideas they perceived in that card are lingering in their minds.
I tell my students that Card 16 is actually a polar bear drinking milk in a snow storm.