Analyzing Rorschach: Determinants – Form and Color

When the subjects take the Rorschach test, they observe the inkblots and give their answers based on a couple of determinants. Those determinants are the characteristics of the card, such as form, color, shading, and movement.

During the interpretation phase, those answers’ determinants are a vital part of understanding your subject and his test entirely. They are organized into two main groups: form and color.

Form Determinant

If the subject gives an answer based on the shape of the inkblots, then he is using the form determinant (F) to give his answer.

This determinant is related to intellectual processes, and for scoring purposes, we use the plus sign (+) for an appropriate answer and the minus sign (-) for an answer that seems inadequate. Some answers are, however, vague or not precise, making it difficult to score. In that case, you can score it as (+/-).

Keep in mind that the patients can have multiple interpretations of the inkblots, without that classifying their answer as ‘vague.’ The same patient can see a few different things on the same card. As long as he can describe them adequately, it’s a perfectly valid answer.

In the average test, we have around 60% of answers based on form determinant. They reveal an adaptive character, and if the answers also include the color determinant (emotion-related), they can be seen as a socialization factor. However, it is essential to assure that the formal answers are not a mere defense mechanism used by the subject to avoid compromise.

F+ Answers

You count as F+ an answer that is statistically regular amongst the reference population. This kind of response comes from a subject with the ability to adapt and socialize.

Sometimes, you’ll find some more rare productions that are considered F+ because the therapist easily recognizes them. Naturally, this is subjective and depends on the therapist’s sensibility.

F- Answers

The existence of F- answers reveals a weak adaptation of the subject to the real world.

If they appear once or twice, it’s not a problem. It can be proof of the subject’s mental flexibility. However, if the patient keeps giving this type of answer, especially if they are in a more significant number than the F+ answers, then you should be alert.

F+/- Answers

As mentioned above, sometimes, the answers are not clear. The patients may not be able to be precise in their response, can’t choose between two images, or are too vague. In that case, we use the F+/- score, since we are not able to determine the quality of such an answer.

This kind of answer can reveal a worried patient, full of doubts and difficulties in taking a decision, or simply prudence in the decision-making process.

Color Determinant

The color determinant (C) is connected to emotions and feelings. The way the subject reacts to color and shading is an indicator of his relationship with his surroundings.

It is rare to find pure color answers. They are usually associated with formal determinant, which is important because the function of the color in the response is vital to understand the role emotions play in the subject’s life.

Color and affectivity

An answer based on the color determinant refers to a passive perceptive process. The subject is invaded by what is shown to them.

Sometimes, the patient refers to color without content (for example, “it’s red”). This kind of answers can be the result of a defensive behavior to prevent the rising of the anguishes the card may represent for them.

The presence of this determinant in the answers is welcomed, nonetheless. The total absence of color answers can reveal retraction or lack of interest in the external world.

Color and form, an interpretative relationship

Again, it is rare to find a pure C answer, but rather one that is based on both: form and color. Said so, a C answer has a meaning that should be explored carefully.

Pure C answers

If the answer is only based on the color determinant, we simply score it as C. This kind of response can reveal some distance, that can go as far as to a complete abstraction of the patient.

Depending on the color itself and the meaning the subject is giving to it, it can also show the presence of an impulsive activity of destruction or self-destruction.

CF Answers

We score an answer as a CF when the color is dominant, and the form is present as a secondary role, usually with a vague or imprecise outline.

This answer reveals a more emotional and impulsive patient, that tries to control those traits with the form, to adapt to the reality (without, usually, great success).

Nonetheless, the presence of CF answers isn’t, per se, a pathological sign. In the right proportion, it can be beneficial for the test, showing a certain spontaneity.

FC Answers

Technically speaking, we can say that these are the most desirable answers. The color is integrated into a formal element, enriching the response’s quality.

The reason is in control over the emotions in the perceptive recognition. The color is not a destabilization factor, and the subject is perfectly adapted.

C’ FC’ C’F

These scores are used with very specific color answers that reveal a sensibility to the gray shades. This usually refers to depressive humor, restlessness, and anxiety.

One example is saying, “I see a dark bat.” Dark is not exactly a color; however, the black color definitely had an implication in the answer so that it would be an FC’ answer. Regarding interpretation, saying ‘dark bat’ instead of ‘black bat’ can reveal particular anguish in the subject.

Kinesthetics Determinants

Kinesthetics determinants (K) are more complex answers that are based on shape, content, and movement. They are a little ambiguous to define and interpret and deserve significant attention from the therapist.

The kinesthetic answer is due to the apprehension and fusion of three simultaneous factors: form, movement, and human content. When we obtain a response in which the human figure is present is automatically considered a ‘K’ answer. The movement is inherent.

Form, projection, and content

The quality of the form factor is of enormous importance. A K answer based on a high-quality form acquisition shows a harmonious compromise between perception and projection. This type of response reveals a subject with good adaptation abilities.

The projection of the movement, not represented on the cards, brings a dynamic dimension to the perception. It reveals a rich cognitive function and complex mental activity with creative potentialities.

Concerning content, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you only consider a K answer when the whole human body is present, rather than just a part of it.

This type of answer needs great attention from the therapist. Like F answers, they can be scored as +, – or +/-, according to the quality of perception of the different levels involved in the answers.

Generally, they reveal a subject with more maturity and a high level of creativity. Someone who gives K answers is more orientated for the intimate, and their affectivity is more stabilized. They are more empathic and more able to dive into their inner selves without fear.

Minor kinesthetics

Some kinesthetics answers, however, reveal a lower integration and adaptation capacity. Those are the minor kinesthetics.

In some of those answers, the patient transfers his drives to animal images (Kan) and objects (Kob). This answer reveals the behavior of detachment from the things he is not able to deal with.

Sometimes, there is some bizarre “human content,” where the subject describes vampires, werewolves, etc. In these cases, you should score it as H (human).

There is no black and white in Rorschach interpretation

What determines the subject answer is quite relevant for a full comprehension of the person in front of us. Consequently, it’s vital for an accurate interpretation of the test.

As a health professional, you can never forget that all individuals are unique. Some of us are more emotional, some more practical, others extremely creative, without that being a problem or a sign of pathology. The presence of each type of answer isn’t, by itself, a motive to fear for the patient’s adaptation to the real world.

Rorschach tests should be seen as a whole, and not by parts, for a clear, useful interpretation, with all the subtleties that make us humans.

Analyzing Rorschach: Global Answers – they are not all the same

How I mentioned before the apprehension mode is key, essentially fundamental to a better interpretation of a Rorschach test. In this post, we’re gonna talk about the global answers, which means, when the patient look at the ink spots as a single object or image.

Simple Global Answers

The patient does not elaborate much, which normally shows low investment in the test, however, provides us an easy way to read it. The answers are almost immediate and without any cognitive effort, you’ll find the test to be full of banal answers.

This subject is usually well adapted, with good cognitive functioning and a stable identity, based in and inside reality.

Vague Global Answers

Vague global answers can show an unsound approach of the world around the subject, which tells us that the subject doesn’t have his own identity well defined, especially if the answers are made with formal determinant.

However, most of the times, vague answers are used as a defensive process from our subject, who means to avoid the test itself, perceiving it as dangerous or a source of anxiety. It’s important that the therapist assures the patient that they’re in a secure environment.

Impressionists Global Answers

Based on the sensory determinant, these are answers that focused on the color of the inkblots, leading us to affections and emotions the patient experiences. The patient shows himself, most susceptible, intensely sensitive expressing his emotions.

As the former ones, this might be used as a defense mechanism to avoid particular themes or anguishes.

Combined or Elaborated Global Answers

In this type of answers, you can see an effort to combine different parts of the inkblot, there is more investment from the subject and, consequently, more projection. It shows us the existence of very personal psychic space and affectivity and a rich ability to think about them.

However, it’s very important to pay attention to the perception the subject shows. A good perception might tell us that we are in presence of a very creative person, yet, an incorrect perception might tell us that our patient could be unadjusted and have a somewhat severe difficulty in the mental organization.

Interpretation

Interpreting this or any other kind of answers should be done very carefully. The same type can means different things, according to the content and the person we have in front of us, so I’m just giving you global guidelines of what to look for, in order to help you to organize yourself.

As an internal process, global answers means that our patient is trying to look at the whole board and give an answer that might involve everything he’s seeing, a full or global meaning. This might show us, according to what he says, a huge capacity of elaboration (when you get very elaborated answers) or a lack of curiosity, and eventual disinvestment in the test when the subject does not explore the ink blot.

About his own image of the self, again, can also mean two different things. It can mean that your subject recognizes his own integrity and the surrounding objects, or, otherwise, that he is just defending himself from what he could actually see there, facing the test as a dangerous intrusion. Usually, this kind of patient uses the global answers to avoid losing control over the whole ordeal and the test. They provide the easiest way of controlling the whole testing situation.