projective test
projective test, in psychology, examination that commonly employs ambiguous stimuli, notably inkblots (Rorschach Test) and enigmatic pictures (Thematic Apperception Test), to evoke responses that may reveal facets of the subject’s personality by projection of internal attitudes, traits, and behaviour patterns upon the external stimuli. Projective tests are also used, less frequently, to study learning processes. Other projective methods involve requiring subjects to build wooden block structures, complete sentences, paint with the fingers, or provide handwriting samples; additional methods include association tests in which spoken words serve as the stimuli. The usefulness and reliability of projective tests depend on a number ...(100 of 168 words)