TAT and other performance-based techniques

 

Ackerman, SJ, Fowler, JC, Clemence, AJ. TAT and other performance-based techniques. In RP Archer & SR Smith’s (Eds). Personality Assessment. Routledge: New York. 337-378.

Similar to other personality assessment techniques, the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943), Early Memory Protocol (EM; Adler, 1931), and Hand Test (HT; Wagner, 1983) are widely used in clinical and research settings as methods for understanding complex patterns of thoughts, feelings, and defenses. Moreover, these performance-based measures are sensitive to revealing information not readily accessed with other assessment methods, and often provide information about a person’s approach to interpersonal events, underlying psychopathology, and other behavior. This chapter offers an evaluation of each of these measures (TAT, EM, HT) with emphasis placed on describing their clinical application and utility. The information supplied in this chapter should help you answer the following questions:

1. Are performance-based personality assessment techniques such as the TAT, EM, and HT valid measrues of psychopathology and individual personality functioning?

2. Are there valid rating scales for the TAT, EM, and HT?

3. What are the current clinical applications of the TAT, EM, and HT?

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