Human Face Responses in the Rorschach Test

Abstract

The present study explores the human face responses in the Rorschach test. We suggest that, although the experience of the human face is essential to our psychological development and to our interaction with the world, this category of responses has always been considered as one of the partial human contents, together with responses such as an eye or a finger. The study provides background information about recent research findings concerning face perception and the role of face perception in early psychological development and suggests that Rorschach face responses may be better distinguished from other human detail contents and may have a special clinical significance. In order to explore face responses in the Rorschach, these responses were analyzed in a reference sample of nonpatients (n = 247) conducted in France as part of a of the French-language normative project. Descriptive data on face responses according to the Comprehensive System are provided as well as an analysis of their perceptual characteristics. In addition, a subgroup of nonpatients giving a relatively high number of face responses was found to differ from other nonpatients on several self and interpersonal perception variables. The perceptual features and the possible clinical significance of face responses on the Rorschach are discussed with an emphasis on the possible merit of distinguishing the face category from the other human content details.