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Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Analysis

This document provides information about interpreting a Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test. It describes various sequences and positions that drawings may take and what they could indicate about the test-taker. For example, drawings done from left to right in order may indicate a methodical approach while irregular sequences could show lack of control. The position of the first drawing on the page is also important, with a central position possibly indicating narcissism. Various errors like collisions, curvature difficulties, or redrawing could reveal problems with emotional control, abstract thinking, or impulse control. Specific patterns of errors are linked to conditions like schizophrenia, depression, or brain damage.

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2K views35 pages

Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Analysis

This document provides information about interpreting a Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test. It describes various sequences and positions that drawings may take and what they could indicate about the test-taker. For example, drawings done from left to right in order may indicate a methodical approach while irregular sequences could show lack of control. The position of the first drawing on the page is also important, with a central position possibly indicating narcissism. Various errors like collisions, curvature difficulties, or redrawing could reveal problems with emotional control, abstract thinking, or impulse control. Specific patterns of errors are linked to conditions like schizophrenia, depression, or brain damage.

Uploaded by

alice_box
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Bender Visual Motor Gestalt

Card A

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4

Card 5

Card 6

Card 7

Card 8

Interpretive Factors
Sequence
Expected order: left to right, top to bottom Deviations such as
Shifts in expected progression (Cards A and 1 are left to right, card 2 is below card one, card 3 is next to card 1)

Normal methodical sequence Abnormal


Overly concerned with organization (e.g. measuring

distance between figures, possibly obsessive


Indecisiveness Excessive rigidity Covert feelings of inadequacy Compulsive doubting

Irregular lack of control, possibly bipolar or impulse control disorder


Low frustration tolerance High latent anxiety Indecisiveness Borderline ego control Impulsiveness

Left to right organization possibly rebellious

Position of first drawing


Normal is within upper third of page Egocentric within 3 inch square of center of paper Abnormal within one inch of edge of paper Shows orientation of individual to his/her world Center of the page, especially enlarged
Narcissism Egocentrism Passive oppositionalism

Use of space
Space between drawings
Excessive space
Immaturity Acting out

Constricted space
Passive Withdrawn Schizoid tendencies

Collision
Running together or overlapping figures

Broadest terms loss of control Poor anticipatory planning Difficulty with figure/ground relationships
Could be neurological (cortical dysfunction)

Impulsivity

Shift in position of the paper rotation of paper


Latent or passive oppositional tendencies

Closure difficulty difficulty joining parts


Difficulty maintaining relationships

Fearfulness in relationships Emotional disturbance

Crossing difficulty difficulty crossing lines in figures 6 and 7


Psychological blocking (preventing decisions) Indecisiveness Compulsive doubting Phobias

Curvature Difficulty obvious change in curves

Emotional disturbance Increased curves emotionality Decreases repression of emotions Can indicate depression

Change in angulations angle of part of figure 15% or more from card


Problems with emotional control Problems with impulse control Associated with organic brain damage, particularly when more severe

Perceptual rotation entire figure rotated while card and paper are in standard positions
Severe disturbance in ego functioning Often in people who are psychotic Sometimes oppositional Clockwise can indicate depression if mild Counterclockwise can indicate oppositional tendencies if mild

Retrogression substitute more primitive Gestalt form (dashes for dots)


Defense against trauma failure of ego
Some types of schizophrenia

Anxiety and poor defenses Always indicates severe pathology in adults

Simplification
Reduce involvement in an external task, reduce energy expended Often related to organic problems

Fragmentation
Unfinished or incomplete Problems in abstract thinking or synthesizing gestalts

Overlapping Difficulty
Overlap when not in stimulus card Failure to overlap Usually associated with brain damage

Elaboration or Doodling
Impulse control Intense anxiety

Preservation
Marked difficulty in ego control

Redrawing Total Figure


Absence of adequate anticipatory planning Temporal brain damage Also associated with obsessive behavior

Case 1

Card A

Card 1

Card 1 Enhanced

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4

Card 5

Card 6

Card 6 Enhanced

Card 7

Card 8

Case 2

Case 2 Enhanced

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