Question

The reliability of the Rorschach test has often been disputed. What would be the best way to evaluate the reliability of this instrument? Why?

Answer 1

The Rorschach ink blot test was developed by Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach in 1921. This aims to measure the unconscious aspect of the personalities of the individuals. The responses to the ten cards that have highly ambiguous figures or stimuli elicits a wide range of responses from the individuals subjected for this test. These responses when interpreted carefully by the expert decipher hidden and interesting aspects of personalities of the individuals.

The ambiguity of stimulus and responses to it makes this test highly contriverscon, as the reliability of this test or the consistency of this has been always in question. To eliminate this controversy the best ways to the reliability of this instrument are:

• Inter-rater reliability- The responses of this test should be measured by the similarities in ratings given by different raters or experts. This would establish the external consistency of the instrument.
• Test-retest reliability : To establish the internal reliability of the instrument, the individuals should be administered the test after a gap of few days. This would establish the consistency of the measure that it is reliable, when it elicits the same pattern of responses.