Integrative Rorschach Interpretation

Two Foundations of Rorschach Assessment Revisited

Summary: The Rorschach has been approached from two philosophical traditions: the hermeneutic and the scientific. The dialectical tension between these diverse traditions has led to considerable argument about the professional status of the Rorschach. Literature emanating from these traditions is reviewed and conclusions reached about the reliability and validity of the instrument from both approaches. Arguments whether the approaches are mutually exclusive and whether the approaches can be mixed are examined. A research program is recommended that follows Meehl's (1990) discussion of a Lakatosian approach to scientific theory testing.

Current perspectives on psychoanalytic Rorschach assessment

In this article, I present as clear and as updated an account as possible of several of the essential features that comprise a psychoanalytic approach to the Rorschach. Specific attention is accorded the assessment frame, the language of assessment, sources of assessment information, and differing approaches to the interpretation of Rorschach data. The article comes out of a Rorschach tradition begun by Rapaport, extended by Schafer and Mayman, and presently being updated by Leichtman and Smith.