T

HEMATIC PPERCEPTION
A EST T
( TAT )

Priyanka R
Shannin Carroll
S h e r l i n Av n o
Shiwangi Nagar
Personality :
Is “the sum total of the actual or potential behavior patterns of the organism, as
determined by heredity and environment. It originates and develops through the
functional interactions of the four main sectors into which these behavior patterns are
organized - The cognitive sectors (Intelligence), conative sector (character) affective
sector (temperament) and the somatic sector (constitution).”
HANS. J EYSENCK
(1947)

Consistency
It impacts
behaviors &
actions
Psychological &
Multiple Physiological
expressions
Four basic characteristics of personality are as follows :-

 Consistency - There is generally a recognizable order and regularity to

behaviors. Essentially, people act in the same ways or similar ways in a variety of
situations.
 It impacts behaviors and actions - Personality does not just influence how we
move and respond in our environment; it also causes us to act in certain ways.
 Psychological and physiological - Personality is a psychological construct, but
research suggests that it is also influenced by biological processes and needs.
 Multiple expressions - Personality is displayed in more than just behavior. It can
also be seen in our thoughts, feelings, close relationships and other social
interactions.
 Thematic
Apperception Test
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a projective personality
assessment psychological test

Thematic – the way a writer or a speaker organizes his/her

message.

Apperception – the noun apperception is derived from the verb

apperceive; meaning : to perceive in terms of past perceptions.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a projective personality test in which

a person's patterns of thought, attitudes, observational capacity, and
emotional responses are evaluated on the basis of responses to ambiguous
test materials.
 * The test was developed by Henry Murray and
Christina Morgan in 1935 but more fully elaborated
in 1938 and 1943.

History.. * The idea for the TAT emerged from a question asked by
one of Murray's undergraduate students, Cecilia
Roberts. 0
* She reported that when her son was ill, he spent the day
making up stories about images in magazines and she
asked Murray if pictures could be employed in a clinical
setting to explore the underlying dynamics of Christina Morgan
personality.
* Murray reasoned that by asking people to tell a story about a picture, their defenses to
the examiner would be lowered as they would not realize the sensitive personal
information they were divulging by creating the story.
* Murray and Morgan found motives for their TAT tests in magazines and journals such as
"Women's Home Companion", "Life", "Time", "The Sportsman" and many more. They
collected about two thousand drawings and photographs.
However, it is so that TAT is administered very differently, many new cards have been added
since Murray and Morgan published their test in 1935, moreover, many individual
psychologists have their own ideas about which and how many cards they will use.
Henry Murray
 Indian
Adaptation
The Indian adaptation of TAT was given by
Dr. Uma Chowdhary.
 It was developed because TAT is not a culture free test and
hence was not effective on the array of Indian population.

 This adaptation was done through different pictures in clinic,

laboratory and field studies. It was also done through
thorough understanding of Indian culture.
 The Indian adaptation is able to provide practical solutions to
everyday Indian problems and also gauge the differences in
the nuances between the urban and rural populations
 Theoretical
Background!
Murray stated needs as “ a need refers to a potentiality or readiness to respond
in a certain way under certain given circumstances”
 Murray's Types
of Needs:
Murray identified and needs
broadly in two categories:

1) Primary Needs

2) Secondary Needs
WHAT ARE…
Motives, Press & Thema?

Motives the specific goal adopted by a person as an expression of a

need - need is a physical condition or motive is the subjective
experience.

Press determinants of behavior in the environment Press is an

external condition that creates a desire to obtain or avoid
something.

Thema an interactive behavioral unit - deals with the interaction between

needs and press; both the person and situation must be considered
- can involve single subject-object interactions.
Psychogenic Needs
by Murray.. Major classifications

AMBITION MATERIALISTIC
NEEDS NEEDS

 Acquisition
 Achievement
 Construction
 Exhibition
 Order
 Recognition  Retention
Psychogenic Needs
by Murray.. Major classifications

POWER AFFECTION
NEEDS NEEDS

 Abasement  Affiliation
 Autonomy  Nurturance
 Aggression  Play
 Blame  Rejection
 Avoidance  Succorance
 Dominance
Psychogenic Needs
by Murray.. Major classifications

INFORMATION
NEEDS

 Cognizance
 Exposition
POWER NEEDS
• ABASEMENT: To submit passively to an external force. To accept injury, blame, criticism, punishment,
or to feel guilt and inferiority. To adopt an attitude that is passive, humble, meek, servile. Resignation or
shame. To endure ordeals without attempts to counteract. Common fusions are with Succorance, Deference,
or Sex, as in the case of masochism.
• ACHIEVEMNET: To work toward a goal with energy, persistence, and singleness of purpose. To set high
standards for oneself and work independently toward realizing these standards. To overcome obstacles or
master and manipulate objects, situations, or people. To accomplish or work persistently at a difficult task. To
be ambitious, competitive, aspiring.
• AGGRESSION: (EMOTIONAL/VERBAL): To have a verbal fight or argument with another person. To
become angry at, ridicule, blame criticize, or curse. This may be expressed publicly by a speech or in writing.
(PHYSICAL/SOCIAL): To kill or defend oneself in self-defense. To avenge an attack that was unwarranted
and unprovoked. To defend one’s country, for example, during war or to become physically aggressive while
upholding the law. Activity that is revolutionary may be on the threshold between social and asocial.
(PHYSICAL/ASOCIAL): Aggression against some legal or moral standard or expressed without being
provoked, such as in criminal activity. To fight legal authorities or authority figures. To initiate a brawl, turn
traitor, or express sadistic behavior. (DESTRUCTION): To attack or maim. To destroy, smash, vandalize, or
burn.
POWER NEEDS
• DOMINANCE: To control, influence, or direct one’s human environment. This may involve being
forceful, persuasive, assertive, masterful, decisive, or authoritative. To prevail upon, sway, lead, judge, set
standards, induce, restrain, prohibit, manage, or govern.
• BLAME AVOIDANCE: To act in such a way as to avoid blame or rejection. To fear reproach; to inhibit
one’s asocial impulses. To avoid blame or punishment by refraining from misbehavior. To confess, apologize,
atone, or repent in order to avoid more blame. This may involve being conventional, remorseful, apologetic,
dutiful, or conscientious.
• HARM AVOIDANCE: To avoid physical pain, withdraw, flee, or conceal oneself from persons or objects
who are attempting to inflict injury. This includes “startle” and “fear” reactions to such things as loud noises,
loss of support, or the sudden appearance of strangers. To escape from a dangerous situation. To take
precautionary measures. To be fearful, anxious, timid, cautious, wary, prudent, vigilant. To run away when
chased by a dangerous animal or enemy. However, if the hero/heroine purposefully places him/herself in a
situation of danger, even is s/he takes precautionary measures to avoid being killed or injured, this should not
be scored as Harm Avoidance, but rather as Excitance/Dissipation.
• DOMINANCE: To control, influence, or direct one’s human environment. This may involve being forceful,
persuasive, assertive, masterful, decisive, or authoritative. To prevail upon, sway, lead, judge, set standards,
induce, restrain, prohibit, manage, or govern.
AFFECTION NEEDS
• AFFILIATION: (ASSOCIATIVE): To establish friendly relations. This may be focal, in which case the need is directed
toward affectionate feelings for specific people. It may also be diffuse, in which case the feeling is directed toward all sorts of
people, such as groups or organizations. (EMOTIONAL): Feelings of strong attachment, closeness, affection, or respect toward
another person. This may include getting married, remaining faithful, or falling in love.
• NURTURANCE: To give sympathy to or to gratify the needs of another. To help, feed, support, console, protect, or comfort
those who are in need. Kindness, consideration, protection. To encourage and further the welfare of those who are helpless. This
may include being liberal with time, energy, or money as a means of helping others. Giving freedom, condoning, or being
lenient.
• PLAY: To act for “fun” and without a purpose other than amusement. To laugh, make jokes, play games, be jolly, merry, and
easygoing. This may include sports, dancing, drinking, clowning, or make-believe activity. Meeting situations in a lighthearted
and jovial manner. However, in those cases in which the game is taken seriously, such as in athletic competition, a score is given
for nAchievement rather than nPlay.
• REJECTION: To snub, ignore, or exclude others. To remain aloof and indifferent, or be discriminating in accepting others. To
exclude, abandon, expel, or criticize. To demand a high standard of ability, intelligence, wit, or imagination. To reject a suitor,
break with a friend, or withhold love. This is commonly fused with Passivity or Aggression. Rejection may also become
directed inward, thus becoming fused with Abasement, perhaps resulting in feelings of depression or suicidal ideation.
• SUCCORANCE: A tendency to cry, plead, ask for help, protection, or love. Being dependent, helpless, and perhaps
capitalizing on one’s mishaps. To crave affection or tenderness and accept favors without hesitation. To have a close and
devoted protector or supported. Seeking to be nursed, sustained, supported, advised, guided, indulged, forgiven, or
consoled. Someone with an nNurturance satisfies the hero/heroine’s succorance, although intra-nurturance may also be
evident in an individual who derives some enjoyment as a result of his or her grief or seeks consolation through drugs,
alcohol, food, etc.
• COUNTERACTION: To make up for a previous failure or disappointment. To
overcompensate for a weakness or to have a determination to overcome. It depends on a
response to a previous failure or humiliation. To repress fear or keep one’s self-respect. To be
resolute, determined, indomitable, dauntless, dogged, or adventurous as a reaction to an
earlier difficult situation.
• DEFERENCE : (COMPLIANCE): Quick to agree or cooperate. To obey the wishes or
suggestions of another person. A willingness to please or follow another’s leadership. It may
be necessary at times to distinguish Difference from Abasement, in which there is
compliance, but it is unwilling. (RESPECT): To give praise to or to express admiration
toward. Hero worship or the acknowledgement of merit or talent. Dedication to a cause.
• SENTIENCE : To seek and enjoy sensuous impressions. To have delicate, sensitive
perceptions. To perceive and comment upon the sensuous quality of objects. To
remark upon the atmosphere, temperature, colors in the room, pictures, various
sounds, tastes, or odors. A genuine delight in one or more of the arts. May be fused
with nSex (erotic sentience), nConstruction (enjoying composition or creativity) or
nRecognition (performing in public).
• SEXUAL: To have or attempt to have a sexual relationship. To make sexual
advances toward or seduce. Enjoying the company of members of the opposite sex
(or to whom the person is physically attracted), being fond of mixed parties and
dancing. To fall in love. This may commonly be fused with nAffliation
(emotional) or, if not fused, should be distinguished from nAffiliation (emotional).
• UNDERSTANDING: Striving for knowledge or wisdom. To attempt to
understand the relationship between one object or event and another. Discussion
and argumentation with the goal directed toward increasing knowledge.
Attempting to make thought correspond with fact. To analyze events and
generalize.
RESEARCH STUDY
• These findings, based on extensive survey data over time, point to the reality that a sizeable
minority of faculty and mental health professionals have relied on Thematic assessment and have
done so based largely on several key attributes of these techniques discussed in the assessment
literature: notably, that Thematic techniques tend to be conducive in diagnostic assessment (Dana,
1996; Woolford et al., 2015; Wright et al., 2016), particularly in understanding and addressing
stressors, social-emotional needs, and interpersonal challenges. In this context, Thematic methods
may offer an integrative function within the multi-method assessment model (Flanagan & Motta,
2007; Hopwood & Bornstein, 2014; Riccio& Rodriguez, 2007). However, based on recent
evidence (since 2008), there appears to be a diminution of didactic and practicum offerings in
academic and internship programs in projective techniques; hence, the future status of the TAT in
the assessment armamentarium appears precarious. Historically, the current findings regarding
Thematic tests attest to the popularity of and interest in projective assessment over the decades, as
evidenced in coverage in scholarly books on psychological tests (e.g., Aronow, Weiss,
&Reznikoff, 2013; GrothMarnat, 2009; Harwood, Beutler, &GrothMarnat, 2011; Murstein, 1965;
Newmark, 1996; Rabin, 1986; Rapaport et al., 1968). This scholarship reflects the vast research
landscape on projective techniques evident in the extant literature. However, future studies are
needed to determine whether interest in Thematic methods will expand beyond a narrow circle of
enthusiasts, particularly as competing assessment approaches and testing instruments emerge in
the field.
 Psychometric
Properties:
Reliability

 Interscorer reliability across different scoring systems has generally been

found to be good, ranging between 0.37 and 0.90, with most reports 0.85 or
higher (Pennebaker & King, 1999; Winter, 1999).
 Lundy (1985) found that when subjects were requested to tell a similar story
between one administration and the next, test-retest reliabilities achieved a
respectable 0.56 (need for affiliation) and 0.48 (need for achievement).
 Psychometric
Properties:
Validity

 A study by Harrison (1940) found that diagnosis by a trained clinician using

the TAT was accurate 75% of the time when assessing broad diagnostic
categories.
 Similarly, a correlation of 0.78 was found when comparing TAT inferences
with data from hospital records. The most extensively studied constructs
have been achievement, affiliation, and power (Lundy, 1988; Spangler,
1992; Winter, 1999).
 DEMERIT
MERITS S
o Difficulty established adequate internal
o Offers access to covert and deeper
consistency and test-retest reliability
structure of an individual’s o The effectiveness of the technique is
personality
o Less susceptibility to faking often more dependent on the clinician’s
because the purpose of projective individual skill than on the quality
techniques is usually disguise. o Sensitive to situation variables such as
o Intrinsically interesting and mood, stress, sleep deprivation, and
nonthreatening. differences in instruction.
o Strong and useful results if done o Very time-consuming test, leading to
right by the clinician. boredom and fatigue in subjects.
 Whom TAT is applied on?

Whom TAT isn’t applied on?

TAT isn’t applied on individuals as a differential diagnosis for their mental
disorders. The evaluation acquired as a result of TAT is merely used to
compliment the previously diagnosed results, and isolate the personality of
the subject.
 Application of the Test
The projective test been applied mainly in three areas:

The psychopathological: In the area of psychopathology, the

technique was first developed and is most widely used, both for the
purpose of psychodiagnosis and therapy.

The genetic: In the genetic developmental area, the technique has been
used to study the development of personality structure of the
individual.

The culture: In the cultural area, the technique area, the technique has
been used to studying the development and growth of personality structure
of different ethnic group.
APPLICATION OF THE TEST: (CONT…)
• The TAT is often used as a therapeutic tool to allow clients to express
feelings in a nondirect way.
• Clients dealing with problems such as job loss, divorce, or health
issues might interpret the ambiguous scenes and relating to their
unique circumstances, allowing deeper exploration over the course of
therapy.
 METHODOLOGY
AIM:
To assess the personality and interpret
behavioral disorders, psychosomatic
illness, psychosis and neurosis of an
individual using Thematic
Apperception Test.
 METHODOLOGY
PLAN:
To Assess the personality and
interpret behavioral disorders,
psychosomatic illness, psychosis and
neurosis of an individual using Indian
modification of Thematic
Apperception Test developed by Uma
Chowdhury.
 METHODOLOGY
MATERILAS REQUIRED:

1. Thematic Apperception Test (Indian

modification by Uma Chowdhury
which consists of 10 cards with
images and one Blank card).
2. Scoring Key (TAT)
3. Stop Watch
4. Writing Material
 Procedure

The subject must be seated comfortably and rapport must be established.. The subject is instructed that a few
cards containing pictures will be shown and he or she is expected to write a complete story about the picture.
The subject is also told that there has to be a beginning, middle and end to the story. The subject must also
notice the feelings of the characters seen on the images and add them in their story. There are 10 cards with
pictures that are to be exposed one by one and after the 10th card there is One Blank Card that is to be exposed
and the subject is instructed to imagine her/his own constructed picture and write a story. The time taken by the
subject to complete the whole test is recorded along with which the time at which the picture is exposed and the
time when the subject starts writing the story for each individual card is also noted down, this is known as the
response time. There is no time limit for the entire test.
 Instructions
1. For 10 cards with images
 “ I will be showing you a set of cards you will have to look at
the picture and write down a complete story about the
picture. The story has to be as imaginative with beginning,
middle and end. Try to portray in your story what the people
are feeling, thinking and wishing. Try to write what led to
such a situation and how it would turn out in the end”.

2. For Blank Card

 “ See what you can see on this blank card. Imagine some
picture there and write it in detail creating your own story for
it”.
Precautions…
1. The subject must have understood the instructions
correctly.

2. The time taken from the time of exposure of the card to the time of
starting the narration must be noted. This is known as the reaction time.

3. The time taken to complete the entire test should also be noted.

4. The subject must not be allowed to tell several short stories for one picture and
incase the subject starts narrating multiple stories he/she should be instructed to make
one long story instead.
 Recording of Response

It includes the written story of the subject and

writing down the reaction time of each story
and total time. In case if the subject is
illiterate, the subject must just narrate the
story and the assessor must take down the
verbatim as it is.
 Description of the Test
❏ The Thematic Apperception Test, or TAT, is a type of projective test that
involves describing ambiguous scenes
❏ It is Popularly known as the "picture interpretation technique
❏ The TAT involves showing people a series of picture cards depicting a variety
of ambiguous characters (that may include men, women, and/or children),
scenes, and situations. are then asked to tell as dramatic a story as they can for
each picture presented, including:
❏ what has led up to the event shown
❏ what is happening in the scene
❏ the thoughts and feelings of characters
❏ the outcome of the story
Description of the Test Cont.…
The complete version of the TAT includes 31 cards. Murray originally recommended using
approximately 20 cards and selecting those that depicted characters similar to the subject.
Today, many practitioners only utilize between 5 and 12 cards, often selected because the
examiner feels that the scene matches the client's needs and situation.
Practitioners use their best judgment when selecting scenes in order to determine which might be
most likely to elicit useful information from the respondent.
 Description of the Cards
CARD-1: Creative and Imaginative
CARD- 2: Implies living style and working together
CARD- 3: the card shows how the subject deals with external demands and
attitudes toward authority.
CARD- 4: feeling attitudes towards male- female relationship
CARD- 5: study of frustration ( also called aggression cards)
CARD- 6: Imaginative ability of the client.
CARD - 7: Wife’s resentment against husband’s attachment.
CARD -8: Attitude towards loneliness, uncertainty
CARD -9: Sexual feelings and Conflict
CARD- 10 : Aesthetic Interest, Philosophical beliefs and wish fulfilment.
CARD- 11- Blank Card , Creativity aspect of the individual.
 REFERENCES:

• Cherry, K. (2020, May 8). What is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)? Verywell Mind. Retrieved
January 18, 2022, from
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-thematic-apperception-test-tat-2795588#:~:text=The%20TA
T%20involves%20showing%20people,up%20to%20the%20event%20shown
• Mondal, B. C. (2014, November 21). TAT Interpretation. Https://Www.Slideshare.Net. Retrieved January
18, 2022, from https://www.slideshare.net/bhimsttc/tat-interpretation
• Thematic Apperception Test Manual.
• Cohen, Ronald, et al. Psychological Testing and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurements.
New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2004.
• Anstasi, Macmillan. Psychological Testing: Fourth Edition. MacMillan Publishing co.
• Cramer, P. (2015). IQ and defence mechanisms assessed with the TAT. Rorschachiana, 36(1), 40-57.
• Swerdlik, Psychological Testing and Assessment: An Introduction to Tests and Measurement, Seventh
Edition.
• Piotrowski, Chris. (2017). Thematic Apperception Techniques (TAT, CAT) in Assessment: A Summary
Review of 67 Survey-based Studies of Training and Professional Settings. Journal of Projective Psychology
& Mental Health. 24. 3-17.
T HANK YOU

Priyanka R
Shannin Carroll
S h e r l i n Av n o
Shiwangi Nagar