Studies in Depression

Abstract

This series of investigations originated in a study of the Necker cube. It has been suggested that the fluctuation-rate of this and similar ambiguous bodies will serve to differentiate between the introvert and the extravert. While this assertion was being investigated, it was found that those patients who were depressed showed a slow fluctuation-rate. It was decided to investigate the question whether or not the fluctuation varied with the degree of depression. Since the fluctuation-rate is known to vary considerably from person to person, it was decided to study a group of depressives over a long period of time, if possible until recovery. The stability of the fluctuation-rate in the same person from day to day is considerable. Guilford and Braby report a coefficient of reliability of ·96.