There has been much debate in the literature regarding the use and abuse of projective drawings in clinical and school settings. The criticism has largely centered around interpretation and use of indicators within these drawings that have not achieved consensus in the research regarding their validity. This study attempts to bridge the gap between those opposed and those in support of projective drawings. It does this by illustrating that valid indicators can be found within projective drawings provided accurate, sensitive and reliable tools are available to measure these indicators. This research analyzed the relationship between pencil pressure used during drawing and State and Trait anxiety. A highly accurate and precise pressure sensitive palette was used to reliably and objectively measure the degree of pencil pressure used by the participants during three drawing tests, including the Draw a Person, Bender-Gestalt Visual Motor Integration Test, and the drawing of an automobile (n = 50). The State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children assessed the participants' levels of State and Trait anxiety. Results indicated that individuals with higher levels of Trait anxiety used significantly less pencil pressure on all three drawing measures than individuals with lower levels of Trait anxiety. Further, individuals with high and low levels of State anxiety used significantly more pencil pressure on all three drawing measures than individuals with medium levels of State anxiety. The implications of these findings, as well as considerations for future research are discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/279774 |
| Date | January 2001 |
| Creators | LaRoque, Sean Davis |
| Contributors | Obrzut, John |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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