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Thematic Apperception Test




  • ''What dialogue might be carried on between characters?''

  • ''How might the "story" continue after the picture shown?''


For this reason, the TAT is also known as the 'picture interpretation technique'.

Each story created by a subject is carefully analyzed to uncover underlying Needs , Attitudes , and patterns of reaction. Subjects can respond orally or in writing and there are specific subsets of pictures for boys, girls, men, and women. The TAT is a Projective Test in that, like the Rorschach Test , its assessment of the subject is based on what he or she Projects onto the ambiguous images.


History

TAT was developed by the American Psychologist s Henry A. Murray and Christiana D. Morgan at Harvard during the 1930s to explore the underlying dynamics of Personality , such as internal Conflicts , dominant drives, interests, and Motives . Specifically, TAT assesses motives, including needs, for Achievement , Power , Intimacy , and Problem-solving abilities.

After World War II , the TAT was adopted more broadly by Psychoanalysts and Clinicians to evaluate emotionally disturbed Patients . Later, in the 1970s , the Human Potential Movement encouraged psychologists to use the TAT to help their clients understand themselves better and stimulate Personal Growth .

Today, the TAT is widely used as a tool for Research around areas of pschology such as Dreams , Fantasies , Mate Selection and what motivates people to choose their Occupation . Sometimes it is used in a psychiatric context to assess Disordered Thinking , in Forensic Examinations to evaluate crime suspects, or to screen candidates for High-stress occupations. It is widely used in France and Argentina following the " French School " concepts. There is also a British and a Roman School.

The Israeli Army uses the test for evaluating potential Officers .


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In Red Dragon Dr. Hannibal Lecter has to take it