The Rorschach test in clinical diagnosis: A critical review, with a backward look at Garfield (1947)

  1. James M. Wood1,*,
  2. Scott O. Lilienfeld2,
  3. Howard N. Garb3,
  4. M. Teresa Nezworski4

Article first published online: 22 MAR 2000

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200003)56:3<395::AID-JCLP15>3.0.CO;2-O

Issue

Journal of Clinical Psychology

Journal of Clinical Psychology

Special Issue: MILLENNIUM ISSUE: “BACK TO THE FUTURE” IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Volume 56, Issue 3, pages 395–430, March 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Wood, J. M., Lilienfeld, S. O., Garb, H. N. and Nezworski, M. T. (2000), The Rorschach test in clinical diagnosis: A critical review, with a backward look at Garfield (1947). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56: 395–430. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200003)56:3<395::AID-JCLP15>3.0.CO;2-O

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Texas at El Paso

  2. 2

    Emory University

  3. 3

    Pittsburgh V.A. Health Care System and University of Pittsburgh

  4. 4

    University of Texas at Dallas

*James M. Wood, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968; e-mail: jwood@utep.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 22 MAR 2000
  2. Article first published online: 22 MAR 2000

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Abstract

The present article comments on a classic study by Garfield (1947) then reviews research on the Rorschach and psychiatric diagnoses. Despite a few positive findings, the Rorschach has demonstrated little validity as a diagnostic tool. Deviant verbalizations and bad form on the Rorschach, and indices based on these variables, are related to Schizophrenia and perhaps to Bipolar Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder. Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder also seem to give an above-average number of deviant verbalizations. Otherwise the Rorschach has not shown a well-demonstrated relationship to these disorders or to Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders other than PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Dependent, Narcissistic, or Antisocial Personality Disorders, Conduct Disorder, or psychopathy. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 56: 395–430, 2000.

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