Interpretations

The use of W, in general, is considered to reflect the ability to organize material, to relate
details, to be concerned with the abstract and theoretical. All this is true when the Ws are more
than approximately 30% responses and are good Ws, that is, are combined with high form
level. If combined with mediocre form level, an emphasis on W might indicate an ambitiousness
that is not substantiated by ability. D% and d % indicate, in general, an interest in the specific, in
details, in the concrete. This may interpreted as practical, everyday, common- sense application
of intelligence. If D is underemphasized, there is in most cases a corresponding overemphasis
on W. if such a situation occurs with subjects whose Ws are vague and unorganized, it may
result from poor intellectual ability or some emotional disturbance. An underemphasis on or
even total lack of d (less than 5%) is not particularly significant and merely indicates little
interest in the minutiae of experience. Dd and S responses generally indicate the ability of an
individual to perceive unusual details. They may show a rich responsiveness to the
environment, or they may indicate keen concern with the unusual, provided the form level of
these Dds is high. dr (rarely d) if associated with good form, and if not numerous, may reveal
great perceptiveness and flexibility of approach. S (reversal of figure and ground) is related to
an oppositional tendency in the intellectual sphere, the degree of negativism or stubbornness
being related to the manner in which the white space is used. In some instance, a moderate
amount of S might indicate ego strength, or a desirable amount of self- assertiveness.
The F score, given to responses determined exclusively by shape generally, generally
refers to the degree of intellectual control available to the individual. Form responses may also
be interpreted as evidence of ego strength. The higher the F%, the more is the person able to
be impersonal and matter-of-fact. For example, a high F% (50-80%) in a record without much
movement, shading, and color scores indicates rigidity and constriction.
Numerous hypotheses are attached to M responses based upon three features of Mperception: (1) By projecting movement into a static ink blot, M- perceptions involves a process
of imagination that the individual feels free to use. (2) M- perception entails a human concept, or
one entailing human attributes, that implies an ability to empathize with other people. (3) M
responses involve perceptions of a highly differentiated kind. The individual who possesses
these characteristics has a relatively high level of ego functioning. He is one who can accept
himself, his impulses, his fantasies and, at the same time, can maintain good object relations.
Other things being equal, he is probably an intelligent, well- integrated individual, capable of
creative experiences. FM, in contrast to M, represents the less mature, the less conscious, and
sometimes the less acceptable part of a persons basic impulses. It reflects the strength of these
urges as well as their acceptability to the individual. These are the impulse that demand
immediate gratification and that consequently need to be controlled.

KF and K are related to anxiety created by the frustrations of affectional needs, against
which frustration the individual has erected adequate defenses. Giving more than three K
responses, however, indicates more than usual worry about affectional needs.
The responses to color are to be interpreted to show how the person reacts to the
emotional impact of relationships with other people. However, C responses in a record with few
chromatic responses seem to indicate a toned- down, hesitant responsiveness to external
stimuli.
A wide range of content usually goes with good intelligence; a concentration of scores
on animal contents and few other categories goes with mediocre or defective intelligence. The
popular-original responses, P-O, reveal the subjects ability to view the world in the same way
as most other people do, or in a different way from most other people. The occurrence of large
number of popular responses in a record (eight or more) indicates a strong need of the
individual to think as other people do.
Form- level rating is the most important basis for estimating intellectual level and
functioning. The hypotheses is suggested that the highest form- level rating in a record be
considered indicative of the individuals capacity, and that the average of all the form-level
ratings be considered indicative of his general level of efficiency.
If M is greater than two and exceeds FM (FM must be greater than zero), the need for
immediate gratification is subordinated to the other values of the individual. This is generally a
sign of maturity, for the individual shows the capacity to defer gratification without undue inner
conflict. When M is approximately equal to or a little greater than FM+m, and there are not more
than one or two ms, the implication is that the individual is sufficiently in control of his impulse
life to give himself stability. The production of responses to the last three cards, which are
entirely chromatic, indicates general responsiveness to emotional stimuli from the environment.
If the number of responses to the last three cards is over 40% of the total number of responses,
it is hypothesized that the individual is simulated by the environment; if fewer than 30%, the
individual may be lacking in responsiveness or may be inhibited under conditions of strong
environmental impact. If the average reaction time to the chromatic cards exceeds that for the
achromatic cards by more than ten seconds, this may indicate that the individual is disturbed by
acute emotional stimuli.
If M is greater than two and exceeds Sum C, provided that Sum C is not zero, the
individual tends to rely upon his inner life more than upon his environment for comfort or for
stimulation. FM+m responses indicate introversive tendencies not fully accepted by or available
to the subject at that time. If this ratio is in the same direction as the M:Sum C ratio, it confirms
and strengthens the impression given by the latter. The W:M ratio indicates how substantial an
individuals intellectual ambitions are. When W is greater than twice M (W>2M), the indication is
that the individual has creative potential for which he has not found a satisfactory outlet. The A%
indicates the degree of stereotypy in an individuals thinking. The optimum percentage is
considered to be from 20 to 35%; A% of over 50% tends to be associated either with low

intellectual capacity or disturbed adjustment. The average time per response is an indication of
an individuals speed of perception; the faster the mental reactions, the more alert the individual
tends to be. An average response time of less than 30 seconds is quick and may be forced.
If the subjects perception has been influenced largely by his own imagination, his own
needs and drives, the response pile up on the left-hand side of the graph. When both the
unweighted and weighted average FLRs fall into the same range, the difference between
capacity and efficiency may be considered to be relatively small. An average weighted formlevel rating from 1.0 to 1.4 indicates average or higher than average intellectual capacity. The
more M responses, the richer they are in quality compared with the usual responses, the more
brilliant the subjects intellectual functioning. A high level of intellectual functioning is indicated
by a fair number of W responses of good quality. This implies a high level of accuracy,
specification, and organization of the W responses. A large number of main and additional
original responses that have good form level is characteristic of a high level of intellectual
efficiency. Bizarre original responses indicate severe disturbance of intellectual function but not
necessarily a low capacity. A large proportion of animal responses (which are very easy to see
in the blot material) indicates mediocre or defective intelligence. A loose or confused succession
often indicates a weakening of intellectual control.
People seen fighting, arguing, or attacking one another may reveal the subjects hostile
feelings. Passive animals, such as cows or sheep, and domestic animals, such as dogs or cats,
may show passivity and dependent attitudes.