Object Details
maker
Rorschach, Hermann
Description
The Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach (1884-1922) developed a series of ambiguous images of inkblots that were shown to subjects to evaluate their personality, intelligence, and emotional state. Rorschach died not long after he published his test in 1921, but it was brought to the United States by David Levy in 1924 and attracted the attention of several scholars. In 1939, the Rorschach Institute, distributor of this set of test materials, was established in New York, New York.
Ten paper sheets are painted with the images of the Rorshach ink blot test. They were placed on cardboard and covered with celluloid. The celluloid layer decayed and was removed. In addition to the individual sheets one sheet shows all ten of the images. There are also three sheets of instructions and fragments of a fourth. All of these sheets were covered with celluloid which self-destructed and left them exceedingly brittle. Only a photocopy of a fifth sheet survives.
A mark on the back of each individual drawing checked reads: Druck der Polygraphischen Gesellschaft Laupen-Bern. The sheet showing all ten drawings is marked: Published by (/) The Rorschach Institute (/) New York, N.Y.
In addition to the sheets of drawings, there are equally if not more brittle ones entitled: Klopfer – Scoring Categories for Location of Responses. The German psychologist Bruno Klopfer emigrated to the United States in the 1930s and directed the Rorschach Institute from 1939 until 1947.
For related materials, see 1983.0168.17.
Reference:
Buchanan, Roderick D. “Ink Blots or Profile Plots: The Rorschach versus the MMPI as the Right Tool for a Science-Based Profession.” Science, Technology, & Human Values, vol. 22, no. 2, 1997, pp. 168–206.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of David Shakow
date made
ca 1940
ID Number
MA.316372.17
catalog number
316372.17
accession number
316372
Object Name
Psychological Test
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 2.5 cm x 31 cm x 25 cm; 31/32 in x 12 7/32 in x 9 27/32 in
place made
United States: New York, New York City
Switzerland: Bern
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Psychology
Mathematics
Psychological Tests
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_694556