Ink Blot Tests

Ink blots are commonly used as a method of psychological evaluation. This test enables psychologists to examine personality and emotional functioning in patients, and is typically employed in diagnosing ink underlying thought disorders. It’s also commonly used to differentiate psychotic from non-psychotic thinking. Rorschach’s ink blots were originally created in 1921 and have since been improved upon by several individuals. There are ten official ink blots: five ink blots are on white paper, three are multicolored, and two are black and red ink on white paper. Typically the tester shows the subject all of the ink blots individually and asks for a response, and then the tester again gives them to the subject one at a time to study further, the subject is then asked to confirm if the ink blots look the same. The real trick to ink blot tests is in the interpretation of the subject’s responses. However it is important to note that it’s a common misconception that interpretation is based on the content of responses – it’s in fact only a small portion of the larger set of variables that are used to analyze a subject.

Ink blot tests are not without controversy. Some critics argue that the psychologist must also project onto the patterns, while others argue about test norms. But especially controversial is the use of ink blots in court ordered evaluations as a major factor in assigning custody or granting parole.