Dream Pathways Foundation
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
  • Home
  • Services
    • Child Intake Form
    • Coaching Sessions
    • Children's Book Tour
  • Research
    • Journal >
      • Human Development Across Lifespan
      • African American Psychopathology >
        • Psychopathology in Children
        • Psychopathology in Adults
        • Treatment Options
  • Magazine
    • DPM Archives
    • Article Submission Form
    • Mental Health Matters
    • Community Health & Awarness
    • Family & Relationships
    • Saving & Investing in Our Youth
    • Dream Pathways Magazine Writers >
      • Writer of the Month
      • Writers' Free Book Bank
  • About Us
    • FreeSchoolSupplies
    • Christmas Giveway for Kids RSVP
    • About the Founder
    • Projects in Development >
      • Dream Pathways Behavioral Health Institute >
        • DP Behavioral Health Survey
        • Foster HOPE Today >
          • Share My Story Form
  • Helpful Resources
    • Community Resources LA
    • The Small Business Corner
    • Resource Library
  • GIVE BACK
    • Donate Kids Books
    • Join Our Online Community
  • Contact
    • Web Store

Assessing The Subconscious Mind

4/30/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Projective tests are used to assess and analyze human behavior occurring on a subconscious level – to include a person’s innermost thoughts, fears, inhibitions, repressed memories, and feelings. I embrace the efficacy of projective tests being used in the assessment phase of clinical treatment, but with some reservations. Before getting into what I don’t like about projective tests, I must say this. I believe that most behavior happens on a subconscious level, much like what we see in human communication.

It is a widely accepted and validated belief that over 90% of communication is non-verbal and is expressed in the way we say things (i.e. rate of speech, tone of voice) as opposed to what is actually being said. This is to say that the messages in our communication are mainly conveyed through our non-verbal body language which stems from the subconscious mind, rather than the conscious mind – which has a filter that is able to cognitively decipher between what is morally acceptable and what is not. So a person who is angry, but is concerned about what others may think may say verbally through words, “I am not angry,” yet could be boiling with anger inside as evidenced by their non-verbal language typified by an elevated voice, sweaty palms, dilated pupils, and a slammed closet door. The unique thing about non-verbal language is that it often reveals the true meaning behind the words that a person utters from their mouth. So even in silence a person speaks.

The connection that I am attempting to make here is that the subconscious mind can reveal a lot about a person, not only through non-verbal communication, in the form of body language, but also within the context of a clinical assessment through the use of projective tests.


Before I share the drawbacks of projective tests, I must make it clear that I do understand and support the efficacious use of projective tests in therapy. I think they lend some credible information to the clinician who wants to confirm a questionable or uncertain diagnosis. For instance, if through a clinical interview, self-reports, and questionnaires, a clinician finds that their client meets the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and the clinician wants to get a third opinion (so to speak) to validate his provisional diagnosis, a projective test (like the House Tree Person) could be administered. It provides an objective, unbiased appraisal of the client’s symptoms, something that a clinical interview and self-reports alone may lack.

However, one must be careful to not rely on the use of projective tests like the HTP alone, as the results can be misleading. Let’s say a person who presents with some symptoms of psychosis, depression, or anxiety, tries to impress the clinician, picks up a pen and paper and draws a very pretty picture to show off his artistic ability and the picture that he draws is reflective of something you may see in a Disney coloring book or the back of a cereal box. Consequently, the interpretation of the projective tests would not reflect an accurate representation of what the client is feeling on the inside because the drawing lacks the subconscious motivation and took place on a conscious and cognitive level, skewed by the client’s intention to impress the clinician.

The same can be said if the opposite were true for a client who is mentally and emotionally healthy but is inspired by “dark art” that depicts death, dying, and the underworld – characteristics that would typically be indicative of a client’s drawings who presents with symptoms of depression or suicidal ideation.

So clinicians should be mindful of these limitations when administering projective tests.

Copyright 2015 Danielle Leach All Rights Reserved


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Daily Quote

    There's nothing more attractive than seeing a man with his pants pulled up; because if he can handle his pants, he can handle his business.

    Archives

    July 2018
    January 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2014
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All
    American Dreamer
    Because I Got High
    Discovering Authors Across America
    Dp News
    Dream Pathways
    Feed The Hungry
    For Better Or Worse
    Foster Hope Success Stories
    Founder
    Give List
    Health Matters
    Icare About The Homeless
    Jewels Of Confidence
    Keeping Family First
    Keys 2 Freedom
    Man Up
    Mission
    My Dream
    My Willpower
    Need To Read
    Neffe Book Signing
    Politics Matters
    Random Matters
    Single Mothers
    Speak Life
    Stand Your Ground
    The Suicide Project
    The Work Of My Homeless Hands
    Train Up A Child
    We Foster Hope
    Young Entrepreneurs

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.