Response to color in projective techniques as a measure of affective regulation and emotional stability: A construct validity study

Response to color in projective tests has been postulated to be a measure of emotional stability. This is so for the Rorschach test (Rorschach, 1942) and for Human Figure Drawings (Hammer, 1980). It was therefore expected that there would be consistency in response to color across these two projective tests. In the present study the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale and Rorschach variables that have been postulated to be reflective of emotional reactivity and control were looked at as to their relationship to the drawing variables of Naglieri\u27s DAP scoring system and a disturbance indicator list compiled from the literature. It was hypothesized that: low Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale scores, high number of color shock indices, lower than would be expected Rorschach variables of M, Sum C, FC, CF, C + Cn, Lambda, D, Adjusted D, Affective ratio, high negative color responses, decrement in form level on chromatic cards, less M in relation to Sum C and less FC in relation to CF + C + Cn would each be associated with decrease in Naglieri scores and an increase in disturbance indicators on the chromatic drawings. Color choices were also looked at. Rorschach protocols and pencil and crayon drawings of same and opposite sex figures were obtained from 46 children ages 7-12. Ten sets of achromatic and colored pencil drawings were also obtained from children within the same age group. Results of ANOVA reveals a main effect for difference in performance between achromatic and crayon drawings, as measured by Naglieri scores and disturbance indicators, in the expected direction, significant at least at the.01 level. Some interactions with Rorschach variables were found. Naglieri scores and the Rorschach Prognostic Rating Scale were not correlated. T tests found a significant increase at the.01 level in disturbance indicators and no difference in Naglieri scores on the colored pencil drawings. It is suggested that the Naglieri scale may be more a measure of cognitive development and less sensitive to emotional states. It is further suggested that future researchers may use a drawing scale measure of constriction rather then one of global disturbance