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Shrinks Fume Over Wiki's 'Rorschach Cheat Sheet'

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2009 2:12 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Psychologists are seeing red in a row over Rorschach's famous inkblots, the New York Times reports. The original series of 10 inkblot images, whose interpretations are used to gain insight into a viewer's mind, have been posted on Wikipedia along with the most common responses. Psychologists fear that some people may use the site as a "cheat sheet," destroying the test's value as a diagnostic tool, built up over many decades of research.

The images are no longer copyrighted in the US and information on them has long been available. But psychologists worry Wikipedia will tip off many more people to the normal "expected" responses and they won't react honestly to the images. "The more test materials are promulgated widely, the more possibility there is to game it,” warns a leading psychologist. Subjects knowing the Rorschach "answers" won't bring about wrong diagnoses, but will “render the results meaningless," he said.

A series of inkblot images similar to this one form the basis of Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach's famous test.
A series of inkblot images similar to this one form the basis of Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach's famous test.   (Shutter Stock)
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The only winners seem to be those for whom this issue has become personal, and who see this as a game in which victory means having their way. Just don’t pretend you are doing anything other than harming scientific research.
- "Faustian," a Wikipedia poster

Our ethics code that governs the behavior of psychologists talks about maintaining test security. We wouldn’t be in favor of putting the plates out where anyone can get hold of them.
- Steve J. Breckler, an American Psychological Association execcutive

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
jagerhans
Jul 29, 2009 12:34 PM CDT
All I see in rorschach sheets is always just one or more naked african women in various postures.
NxBigmouthery
Jul 29, 2009 9:44 AM CDT
All I saw was me flicking the earlobe of a psychologist and saying 'Wake up to yourself!'
Kookey90
Jul 29, 2009 8:43 AM CDT
Amazing, no matter which of the Rorschach's inkblots I see, they all remind me of a monkey on an elephants back. Somebody help me, please!
US • Health • Media

 
Wikipedia • psychology • psychologist • diagnostic test • Rorschach test

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