Mental Imagery and Movement Responses to the Rorschach Test Among Young Violent Offenders

Abstract

Abstract. We studied the relationship between the self-reported mental imagery and movement responses in the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) in 26 young violent offenders. The modified version of the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ-method by Marks, 1972 , 1973 ) and the Rorschach CS were used. We found a positive association between the movement responses, especially human movement responses, and the ability to create and to control images. The violent offenders seemed to have an adequate ability to imagine future events and scenarios, but they had deficits in their situation specific mental imagery. The Rorschach Form Quality minus responses showed that the subjects’ ability to use mental imagery was inadequate; it was non-adaptive and the reality orientation vulnerable. We suggest that the causes of decreased imagery vividness and increased need to control mental images are negative emotions and intrusive ideations emerging in intimate relationships.