Two Foundations of Rorschach Assessment Revisited

Abstract

Summary: The Rorschach has been approached from two philosophical traditions: the hermeneutic and the scientific. The dialectical tension between these diverse traditions has led to considerable argument about the professional status of the Rorschach. Literature emanating from these traditions is reviewed and conclusions reached about the reliability and validity of the instrument from both approaches. Arguments whether the approaches are mutually exclusive and whether the approaches can be mixed are examined. A research program is recommended that follows Meehl's (1990) discussion of a Lakatosian approach to scientific theory testing.