DRAW A PERSON TEST

INTRODUCTION The Draw A Man test was developed by Florence Goodenough in 1928 as an intelligence test. The Draw A Person Test was later developed by Karen Machover in 1949 for the assessment of personality. Instructions and Administration The requirements for this test are Two 8 X 11 inch unlined paper and well sharpened pencils and erasers. The instructions given are as follows I would like you to draw the picture of a person. No additional instructions are to be given and the patient should be encouraged to draw as he feels. Any questions he asks may be answered by saying that he should do as he feels. After the first drawing has been completed, invert the page of the first figure and provide the patient with another sheet asking for a drawing of the opposite sex. After both drawing are complete, some questions may be asked about the two figures. These are the follows. How old is this person? What does the person do for a living? How does the person feel? What is he thinking about? What will happen to him in the future/ What fears does he have? How does he get along with his different family members? It is important to observe and record variations in the drawing test. For example, drawing the feet before head which may indicates psychosis. Also any doubts regarded the figures should be clarified with the client.

INTERPRETATION OF THE FIGURES

Structure and Content

PLACEMENT The placement reveals the patients orientation towards the test situation and life i n general. Placement roughly in the middle of the page is typical of most normal subjects. Area Variations High on page Interpretation Unjustified optimism, high drive level; high level of aspiration; striving for achievement, or striving to achieve difficult goals; Insecurity, inadequacy, with resultant depression; Feelings of being reality bound and tending to be concrete, rather than theoretical and abstract; and defeatist attitude Normal; Overt aggression Self-oriented, introversive, tense, impulsive acting out behavior; tendency towards immediate, frank; and Emotional satisfaction of motives; preoccupation with ones changing needs; a self-centered approach to life; orientation and concern with the past; possible feelings of uncertainty and apprehension. Environment-Oriented or extroverted; stability and controlled behavior; willingness to delay satisfaction of needs and drives; preference of intellectual satisfactions compared to emotional ones; tendency to intellectualize; orientation towards the future, negativism; rebellious tendencies. Regressive tendencies: feelings of insecurity and hesitancy, withdrawal; anxiety (except for children In the early elementary grade for whom this is typical.) A desire to suppress an unpleasant past, or excessive optimism about the future. Need for support associated with feeling and low self assurance; dependency; fear of independent action, anxiety, tendency to avoid new experiences or to remain absorbed in fantasy: or depressive features.

Low on page

Middle Left

Right

Upper Left-Hand Corner

Upper Right-Hand Corner

Bottom Edge of Paper

Below Mid Point

Concretetistic, depressed mood, feeling of inadequacy. Emotional, Self-centered (children as subjects)

Centered Drawing security

Elevation Above Point Feet on Base of Page

Aloofness; fantasy rather than easily satisfactions Need for stability because of disturbance produced by conflict Insecurity. Unrealistic euphoria.

High on Page Figure (Looks adrift): Large centered figure Large figure shifted to left

Manic tendencies: paranoid grandiosity Aggressive psychopath with feelings of inadequacy left

Size The relationship between the size of the drawing and the available space may parallel the dynamic relationship between the subjects his environment. Size is suggestive of the way the subject is responding to the environment press. It also tell us something about the self esteem and the manner in which the patient deals with his self esteem. Decreased size of figure is more common in men over thirty and women over forty. Size variations Small size Interpretations Feelings of inferiority, inadequacy and low self esteem; anxiety, withdrawal tendencies in inhibited, restrained, timid, shy or constricted adults and children; depressive tendencies ; regressive, dependent tendencies: feelings of discomfort and restrictions; constrictions under stress Feelings of inadequacy Anti-social personality; narcissism; Aggressive and acting out tendencies; expansive, euphoric or grandiose tendencies; hyperactive, emotional manic conditions; or anxiety / conflict. Compensatory fantasy aggrandizement; self expansiveness and self aggrandizement

Tiny drawings Large size

Drawing that fills the page

Figure too large for page

Aspiration exceeds opportunities, environment viewed as excessively constrictive. Paranoid Aggressive, expansive Improved prognosis for successful treatment of obesity

Large, grandiose figure Large same-sex figure Obese patients who draw slim figures

Size in relation to paper measurement suggested by drawing coordinates with edges of paper. Studies have found no characteristic difference between schizophrenics, depressives and hysteria.) Small Free Large widening of space (by drawing only part of an object on the paper) Inability to function freely in whole environment Ability to function freely in whole environment Potential ability of making contact with surrounding world.

GRAPHOLOGY The stroking may be described with respect to pressure, direction, continuity, angularity and rhythm Pencil Pressure Symbolizes level of energy Heavy /Excessive pressure Interpretation

High energy level: assertiveness, ambition: extreme tension or anxiety: aggressive tendencies: sadism: constrictive behavior: particularly under stress: anti social personalities: epileptics: organics (including retarded): paranoids Low energy: a hesitant, indecisive, timid and fearful, inhibited, and insecure personality pattern: a neurotic condition, with anxiety symptoms: depressive conditions, or an expensive adaptation under external stress situations: repression and restraint

Light Pressure

Fluctuation/ varied pressure Pressure variations (In keeping with requirements of the drawing) Uneven line pressure

Cyclothymic, Impulsive, emotionally unstable, moody

Adaptability, flexibility

Anxiety, insecurity

Line Quality

Faint line

Apprehensive neurotics, catatonics and chronics schizophrenics Timidity Depression, inadequacy: withdrawn schizophrenics Assaultiveness Assaultiveness

Dim line Very faint line Heavy line Combination of Firm heavy & Light lines Fading line Fluctuating line Heavy, thick lines Jagged lines Reinforced lines

Hysteric tendencies Tension Aggression, depersonalization fears Hostility Anxiety, insecurity: conflict area: repression, particularly with reference to area reinforced Anxiety, insecurity: conflict area: repression particularly with reference to area reinforced Repression Tension Isolation

Sketchy lines

Thin lines Thin, elongated line Unbroken reinforced line outlining figure Fuzzy, smeary, sloppy lines Over meticulous, rigid lines Contaminating lines overlapping lines same line part of two figures Crisscross outline of figure Evidence of motor In coordination and tremors

Escape from rigidity

Feeblemindedness

Specific sign of psychosis

Specific sign of psychosis

Organic cases

Continuity Broken lines Discontinuous line quality Extreme discontinuity Line a series of disconnected dashes Anxiety, insecurity Anxiety / Conflict Anxiety has overwhelmed the patient Psychotic trend / severely disturbed psychotic patients with problems with reality contact and who are overwhelmed by confused bizarre thoughts Conflict area Decisive

Line break Uninterrupted straight lines Interrupted curvilinear line Strokes Straight uninterrupted strokes Constricted Stroking Energetic, unhesitant strokes Length of stroke movement Long strokes Short strokes Short sketchy strokes Free, rhythmic stroking Straight line strokes

slowness, indecisiveness

Quick, decisive and assertive approach to life

Tension, withdrawal Perseverance, security Decreases in excitable subjects; increases in inhibited ones. Controlled behavior (children) Impulsive behavior Anxiety, uncertainty Responsive, uninhibited, unconstricted person. Assertiveness (children as subjects)

Direction Vertical strokes Assertive, masculinity, determination, hyperactivity

Horizontal strokes Strokes away from self stroking in (towards the body) Left-to-Right Right-to-Left strokes Determined, unhesitant towards direction Indeterminate vacillating strokes

Emphasis on fantasy, femininity, weakness Aggression, extroversion

Extroversion, need for support Introversion, isolation Security, perseverance, persistence in working goals Insecurity, lack of perseverance; vague, insecure persons who lacks opinions and point of view

Angulation Angular Body Circular strokes Curved lines on body of male Emphasis on circle in depicting body Endless circles/spirals Few curves many sharp edges Rounded lines Straight lines ERASURE - ALTERATION Excessive Erasure Uncertainty, conflict-filed indecisiveness and restlessness; dissatisfaction with self, or anxiety / conflict (esp. if subsequent re-working does not improve the drawing); possible neurotic tendency Regression A clue to the content of the conflict Aggression, criticality, masculine Dependency, feminine tendency of assertion; dependent, emotional (children) Effeminacy

Effeminate, narcissistic, submissive Excitable Aggressive, poorly adjusted

Femininity Aggressiveness

Infrequent erasure Area(s) erased

Change in detail of Drawing Redrawing improves figure

Change in defense against spontaneous reaction to situation as symbolized by detail first depicted Conflict is being adequately contained and dealt with and is not causing any problem in everyday functions

DETAILING / ELABORATION Lack of Detail Withdrawal tendencies with an associated reduction of energy ; a typical reaction to stress experienced as external to the patient; or depression that is often associated with withdrawal tendencies and lack of energy to complete the figure Obsessive compulsive tendency; patients under external stress conditions who deal with stress by becoming increasingly obsessive Schizophrenia

Detail excessive

Unessential details emphasized Detailing minute Reworking, with addition of excessive detail Bizarre details Inadequate detailing

Constricted, pedantic Compulsivity

Schizophrenia Depression; lack of energy; withdrawal tendency

DISTORTIONS AND OMISSION Suggest a conflict related to the part so treated. Gross distortion Poor reality contact or negative self concept, severe psychopathology and / or lack or a sense of self Conflicts / anxiety Clues of source of problem

Moderate distortion Areas of Body Omitted / distorted Area depicted as broken cut, damaged or otherwise impaired Body distortions

Feelings of emasculation anxiety or masculine inadequacy

Psychotic tendency

Deviant drawing with little evidence of anxiety Elongated, anatomical areas Shading Excessive\ heavy shading

Character disorder such as antisocial personality psychosis Phallic symbol

Aggressive tendency; antisocial personality; anxiety/ conflict or agitated depression Area of conflict Psychotic potential Anal- erotic instincts Anxiety relative to sexual function Relative freedom from anxiety

Shaded area Profuse, smudgy shading Smudgy shading Shading in sexual areas Slight or minimal shading

Shading carefully done and seems to enhance the drawing Messy, uneven, hurriedly person in done

Conflict is being appropriately dealt with

Conflict is causing anxiety and is disturbing the everyday adjustment

Transparency Transparency Poor reality testing (except in children); poor adjustment; sexual disturbance; or regressive psychotic conditions Breaks in judgment

Transparencies in Clothing Body lower area of female visible through transparent skirt (male subject) Pants transparent (legs shown through)

Involution sex problems, sexual fantasies, sexual preoccupation

Homosexual anxiety

Sex of first- drawn figure A great majority of people draw their own sex first. An incidence of deviation from this rule is greater among individuals who request or require psychotherapy. Some studies indicate that homosexuals frequently draw the opposite sex first. Subjects occasionally verbalize their indecision by asking such questions as: Which sex shall I draw first? the clinician should consider the possibility that the subject who raises these questions may be indicating confusion as to his own sexual role. Opposite sex drawn first Sexual role conflict; strong attachment or dependence on a person of the opposite sex (e.g., spouse, mother, lover); sexual inversion; ambivalence or conflict regarding ones sexual identification; poor self- concept; greatest interest and / or awareness of the opposite sex compared with the same sex; regression to an infantile narcissistic stage where one is with the mother. Female protest, feminine role rejection

Drawing a male first female subject

AGE OF FIGURES Older figure than subject Younger figure than subject Motion / activity Active same sex figure Hysteria, manic tendency; pressure for motor activity; restlessness Fantasy activity Low energy level, lack of drive, emotional exhaustion; dependence on maternal figure Identification with parent of same sex Emotional fixation at age depicted, or a wish to return to youth

Figure depicted in motion Seated or reclining figure male receiving something of value from female Mechanical kind of figure completely lacking in kinesthetic implications

Signs of depersonalization; psychosis

Interpretation concerning body parts HEAD

It is a symbol of intellectual and fantasy activity; of impulse and of emotional control. It is also the site of socialization and communication Head large Aggressive, expansive tendencies, an inflated ego, over evaluation of the intellect, concern about sufficiency of Intellect (brain damaged, retarded) , over ideational (including paranoid); emphasis on fantasy (children); Intellectual aspirations (with possible grandiosity); introspective, fantasy as primary source of satisfaction, regression, inhibition and dependency, possible anxiety, somatic symptoms. Feelings of inadequacy, sexual importance, a feeling of intellectual inadequacy, or weak ego conditions Self conscious, shy

Head small

Head dim

Head drawn in a childlike fashion by an adult of average intelligence (e.g., round with childlike facial features) Head malformed Head split

Gross immaturity, regression, anxiety/ conflict

Organicity Feminine identification dealt with narcissism and obsessive- compulsive mechanisms Conflict with interpersonal relations; possible thought disorder

Head drawn last

Hair Hair emphasis on head, Virility strivings; sexual preoccupy; compensation chest for feelings of sexual inadequacy or importance; Or face possible angry, aggressive, assaultive tendencies; infantile or regressed sex drives; sensuality or sensual needs; narcissisms; and possible anxiety or conflict Virility symbol, with heavy shading possible anxiety over sensual needs Doubts about virility with compensatory striving; sexual inadequacy

Hair emphasis (shaded)

Beard, moustaches, other facial hair (male subject)

Hair area significance Hair given much attention Hair on jaw Hair Absent

Virility striving Narcissisms, possible homosexual tendency Schizoid Feelings of sexual inadequacy; castration fears; a possible schizophrenic condition; low physical vigor Felt lack virility Regression

Balding Male Figure Hair on female, not on Male

Hair Mussed Hair parted in the middle Hair reinforced Sparsed Unpressured hair Hair white on male figure

Sexual Immortality Feminine identification dealt by with Assaultiveness Inadequate virility

Felt lack of masculinity and virility

FACIAL FEATURE Absent Psychosis, evasiveness, superficiality in interpersonal relationships, inadequate environmental interest or possible withdrawal tendencies Over concern with outward appearances, feelings of inadequacy and weakness that are compensated for by aggressive and Socially dominant behavior; hysteroid or narcissistic traits (overemphasis of face, typically with large eyes and prominent eyelashes and an emphasis on lips ad hair.) Infantile social behavior Insecurity

Overemphasized

Features childlike Feature expression placating Facial expression self

Schizoid

occupied Feature mask like Cautious , secretive ;possible feeling of depersonalization & estrangement Schizophrenic Many indicate expectation of aggression from environment, or impaired self esteem; may symbolize psychic trauma Homosexual trend

Feature primitive, tiny Facial scars on same sex figure

Feature effeminate, male subject

EYES Large, strongly reinforced eyes Suspiciousness and other paranoid characteristics, hypersensitivity to social opinion, or socially outgoing tendencies Externalized aggression Assualtiveness Voyeuristic tendency Paranoid trend Assaultiveness Contemplative, introversive tendencies and self-absorption Self absorption, voyeurism Schizoid Introversive, self absorbed tendencies in withdrawing persons who are not interested in perceiving the environment, or who perceive it and themselves only vaguely, a condition that is seen in neurosis, and schizoid personalities which may be due to an inability to cope with the environment Egocentric, hysteric, immaturity, regression Ideas of reference, paranoi

Eye emphasized Eye prominent Eye large, no pupil Eyeslarge, staring Eyes reinforced Small, closed eyes absorption Eye small Eye closed Empty eyes (no pupil)

Eye a circle (no pupil) Eye a dot with pressur unenclosed

Eyes and lashes large Lashes long Lashes on male

Homosexuality Coquettishness, seductiveness, self display Effeminacy, homoerotic trend, homosexual tendency

EYEBROWS Brow Bushy Brow Trim EARS Ear emphasized or enlarged Possible auditory hallucination, ideas of reference, paranoid tendencies; hypersensitivity to criticism; ear injury or hearing problems; sensitivity to attitude others, possible homosexual conflicts of tendency Sensitivity to criticism (children) Normal Uninhibited Disdain, refinement

Ears large Ears Omission

Nose is a phallic symbol or a symbol of a power motive. Also portrays a social stereotype. Nose emphasized Sexual difficulties, including psychosexual immaturity and/or castration fears, sexual impotency, or aggressive tendencies. Involuntial melancholia, sexual impotency, (Adolescents; felt inadequate male role with striving for it. Impotence, virility wish Castration fear, may be projected on opposite sex. Masculine assertion; or need for it Contemptuous attitude; tendency to think in terms of derisive stereotypes. Castration fears or wishes Regressive response to conflict; anxiety (older adolescents, or adults) Shy, withdrawn, or depressive personality style, or feelings of castration Primitive aggression

Nose large

Nose long Nose shaded / dim/ truncated Nose strong Nose broad, flared, hooked

Nose cut off Nose drawn as triangle children; or button by adults Nose Omitted

Nostril

Mouth
Problems in drawing mouth Mouth emphasized Feeding/eating difficulties, speech disturbances, outbursts of anger, or a dependent approach to life. Alcoholism, depression, regression, oral emphasis in personality; possible verbal aggressiveness associated with a dependent, immature personality, possible sexual difficulties; verbal sadism; or depressive or primitive tendencies. Depression Verbal aggression, anger, hypercriticality, or possible sadistic tendencies Denial of oral dependent needs Forced congeniality or inappropriate affect Forced amiability, inappropriate affect Oral aggression, sadism Oral aggression Orality, dependency Passive dependency Conflict concerning oral aggression tendencies; depressive conditions; difficulty or reluctance to communicate; rejection of the need for affection; possible obsessions and anxiety (children); or a shy, withdrawn, depressed interpersonal style Possible scolding maternal figure Effeminacy Exhibitionistic inclination, sexual precocity (in adolescents) Infantile, aggressive, or sadistic tendencies; oral aggressiral aggression, simple schizophrenia Aggressiveness

Single line, unsmiling mouth A slash line mouth

A tiny mouth Mouth with a large grin Mouth clown like Mouth heavy line Mouth single line Mouth open Mouth concave, oral receptive Mouth Omitted

Mouth omitted on female Lips full of male Cupid bow mouth on female figure (female subject) Teeth shown

Teeth well-defined

Chin is a social stereotype for strength and determination Chin emphasized Compensation for adequacy, fear of responsibility, fantasy compensation; aggressive/ dominance

tendencies, possible strong drive levels; possible feelings of social inadequacy Chin emphasized on opposite sex Chin enlarged Chin exaggerated Chin weak Dependency on opposite sex regarded as stronger

Aggressive drive Compensation for felt weakness, indecision feelings of weakness or inadequacy, especially in social situations, or feelings of either psychological or physiological impotence

Expression Poverty and stiffness of expression Vivid, striking expression Schizophrenics

Hysterics

Neck it is typically regarded as the link between intellectual life (symbolized by the head and affect (basic body impulses) symbolized by the body. it represent the link between ego control (head) and impulses (body). Labile affect, fear of labile affects, concern regarding acting out tendencies, and need to separate ones cognitive activity from ones affect life may be represented in the treatment of the neck. Neck emphasis Concern regarding need to control threatening impulses; need for defensive intellectual-control (children) Awareness of physical impulses, with effort to control them Self-indulgence, uninhibited impulse expression, tendencies to be stubborn, and rigid; impulsivity, or a desire to keep impulses from the hindering intellect Attempt to separate intellectual ideas from emotions; a cultured socially stiff, or even an overly moral approach to life, hysterical swallowing inhibition, problem in control of anger or of primitive drives, schizoid tendency.

Neck excessively large

Neck short, thick

Neck long (elongated)

Neck long, thin Neck like giraffe Neck narrow Neck omission

Inhibition, repression, schizoid or psychotic problems Schizophrenic Depression Immaturity; lack of impulse control (if patients over 10 years of age); regression

Adams Apple

Masculinity striving, sexual role confusion (on opp sex, that sex regarded not virile)

BODY / TRUNK The body typically symbolizes basic drives, and therefore attitudes related to the development and integration of these drives in the personality are indicated in the manner in which the trunk is drawn. Large Trunk Small Trunk Long, narrow trunk Trunk angular or square Trunk incomplete Trunk not closed at bottom Trunk rounded personality Trunk rounded, narrow waist on male figure, male subject Trunk drawn as a simple oval or rectangle by an adult of avg. intelligence Body omitted (no trunk), appendages attached to head Unsatisfied drives Denial of drives, feelings of inferiority Possible schizoid tendency Masculine tendencies Regression Sexual preoccupation Passive feminine or an infantile, regressive Homosexual trend

Regression; extremely immature personality, or the presence of severe anxiety mood

Severe conflicts that center on body impulses; denial repression of physical drives (children as subjects); immaturity, or regression; retardation, primitive character structure Apprehension with neurosis; depersonalization fears Explosive personality,(emotional instability) Serious personality disorganization Exhibitionism, perfectionism

Body line heavy Body line reinforced Body fragmented Measurement lines of stick frame of body Midline emphasis / stress

Conversion, somatic preoccupation; maternal dependence; possibly schizoid Dependence on maternal figure

Torso of female upper half emphasized (male subject) Organ shown (internal anatomy)

Manic, schizophrenic; somatic delusions

Navel Shoulders Well-drawn, neatly rounded shoulders Large, broad shoulders

Dependence

Normal, indicating adequate, well-balanced control of impulses and behavior. Need for physical power, possible aggressive, acting out tendencies, excessive defensiveness possible sex-role confusion or masculine protest

Large, broad shoulders (female subject) Shoulders drooping Shoulders squared Shoulders pointed Shoulders exaggerated and other masculine details Shoulders massive on male (male subject) Shoulders tiny Shoulders omitted Breast Large breasts (male Patients)

Dejection; feeling of guilty, lack of virility Aggressiveness Acting out tendencies Feeling of masculine insufficiency

Compensation on felt inadequacy

Inferiority feeling Presence of thought disorder

Emotional immaturity, maternal over dependence, unresolved oedipal problems, psychosexual immaturity; or strong oral and dependency needs Dependency; emotional and sexual immaturity; homosexual trend. Feminine identification with dominant mother, exhibitionism, or narcissistic problems. Maternal dependence and domination, oral

Breast area emphasized

Breast emphasis (female subject) Breast emphasis, male dependency subject Breasts small

Maternal figure unnurturing

Waist In males, the waistline separates the area of physical strength from the area of sexual functioning; in females the upper part of the body is also related to nutritional factors and secondary activity while the lower part bears more directly on sexual and reproductive activity. Waist a heavy line sex consciousness; sexual conflict

Unusually high or low waistline Excessively tight waistline

Blocking and conflicts regarding sexual tendencies

Unstable emotional control, perhaps expressed by temperamental outburst (e.g. Sexual conflicts, sexual preoccupation, control impulses via rationalization or sublimation or phobic or neurotic behavior

Waistline emphasis of body elaborated belt

Hips Hip emphasis Buttocks and hip on male figure unusually emphasized or large and rounded Hip emphasis on male figure, male subject Hipline break Homosexual trend Homosexual trend

Homosexual trend

Sexual conflicts

GENITALIA Sex organs shown Psychopathology, overt aggression (in children), sexual preoccupation and curiosity (adolescents); analys and primitive culture; schizophrenics professional artist Sexual conflict

Sexual anatomy area Distorted or omitted

LIMBS AND EXTREMITIES Arms and legs distortion or Reinforcement, left side, Male subject, male figure Arms long, strong Sexual role conflict

Acquisitive and compensatory ambition; need for achievement or physical strength; active, aggressive contact with the environment; need for autonomy Ambition for accomplishment or acquisition; overt aggression Dependence, nurturance needs Lack of ambition, feeling of inadequacy, passivity and possible castration fears Lack of achievement Opposite sex viewed as punishing

Arms long

Arms long, weak Arms short

Arms thin, weak Arms shaded on opposite

sex Arms omitted Guilt feeling, withdrawal (depressive, schizophrenic); feelings of inadequacy and ineffectiveness, dissatisfaction with the environment, strong withdrawal tendencies, or passivity Assaultiveness Rejection by maternal and paternal figure of the opposite sex Aggressive, energetic Strong genital drive associated with guilt wish to be castrated

Arms reinforcement Arms omitted or short arms on opposite sex Arms, strong, male subject Armless figure of male, male subject

Hands They are the contact and manipulatory organs of the body Hands outstretched Desire for environmental or interpersonal contact, or a desire for help or affection Evasion; difficulty with the interpersonal relations, masturbatory guilt; with hands in pocket may be psychopath; or merely feelings of insecurity concerning ability to draw hands adequately Compensation for inadequacy feelings, guilt Externalized aggression Compensation for difficulty with interpersonal relations or masturbatory guilt Aggressiveness Anxiety over the difficulty with interpersonal relation or masturbatory guilt, guilt over aggression or masturbatory guilt Feelings of insecurity; helplessness Repressed or suppressed aggression (possibly expressed indirectly) lack of confidence in productivity or social contact Auto-eroticism Homoerotic conflicts

Hands hidden (placed behind back or in pocket

Hands large Hands emphasized Hands exaggerated

Hands powerful Hands shaded

Small hands Hands draws in mitten

Hands dim Hands in genital area Hands extended behind back in anal area Hands of female in pelvic

Female regarded as sexually rejecting

area, male figure Hands omitted Hands omitted on female figure In adequacy, withdrawal Maternal figure regarded as rejection, unloving unsupportive

Fist clenched or closed

Rebellion (close to body, repressed; out from body, overt); repressed aggression, conscious attempts to control anger

Fingers Fingers omitted or over extended fingers large, or without tendencies hand Fingers, long Fingers, more than five Fingers, fewer than five Fingers shaded Fingers claw-like Fingers grape or petal Fingers scissor Masturbation guilt, feeling of difficulty in interpersonal relationships Regression, infantile aggressive / assaultive

Overt aggression; regressive tendencies Aggression; ambition Dependency, helplessness Guilt (as theft or masturbation) Overt aggression, paranoid Immaturity, infantile traits Subject is castrating or views maternal or paternal figures as castrating Infantile, primitive, aggressive, hostile acting-out tendencies, sometimes associated with paranoid features Assaultiveness, infantile aggression Repressed aggression, withdrawal

Talon-like / spiked / spear-like finger

Fingers stick Fingers articulated carefully and cut off by line Fingers with joints and nails carefully depicted

Obsessive control of aggression; compulsive body image problem as in early schizophrenia

Joint & knuckle emphasis

Feeling of body disorganization; maternal dependence; psychosexual immaturity, schizoid schizophrenia

Legs Legs and feet are typically symbolic of security feelings and / or feeling concerning mobility Legs long Need for authority; strong need or striving for autonomy Feelings of immobility and constriction Assaultiveness Defensiveness against sexual approach Assaultiveness

Legs short Legs reinforced Legs crossed Legs & Arms of male figure large Legs & Arms tapering Elbows & joint stressed Joint emphasis Ankles and wrists small

Effeminacy Compulsive, dependent, indecisive Schizoid or schizophrenia, somatic preoccupation Effeminacy

Arms The arms reflect contact with the environment and interpersonal relations. Arms drawn as relaxed and flexible Arms drawn behind back Normal

Reluctance to meet people halfway; need to control aggressive, hostile feelings or behavior; or guilt feelings Suspicious, hostile attitudes; possible rigid attempts to maintain control of violent impulses; a passive non assertive orientation; or unwillingness to interact socially Rejecting maternal or parental figure of opposite sex Feelings of inadequacy or a general feeling of ineffectiveness Tension Externalized aggression

Arms folded

Arms folded, short Frail, thin, small shrunken arms Arms close to body Arms extended from body & overlong Arms over extended, Reaching Arms pressed to sides

Dependency, desire for affection

Difficulty in social contact fear of aggressive impulses, passivity as defence against aggressive impulses

Arms drawn akimbo Legs omitted Legs masculine on female figure Legs and feet drawn first Feet Elongated, large feet

Narcissistic or bossy tendencies Discouragement withdrawal Sexual role conflict

Depression, discouragement

Strong security needs possible sexual factors (e.g., a need to demonstrate virility, castration fears) Possible Assaultiveness / aggressive tendencies; feelings of sexual inadequacy Insecurity, constriction, or dependence Discouragement, withdrawal, feelings of constriction, with a lack of independence, loss of autonomy; feelings of helplessness; shyness, aggressiveness, or emotional disturbance (in children) Effeminacy, insecurity Involutional impotency Sexual inadequacy and preoccupation Aggressiveness

Feet emphasized

Feet, small Feet omitted

Feet small, male subject Feet of male emphasized Foot phallic Toes exposed

VERTICAL BALANCE Off- balance figure Pre-schizophrenic possibility

POSTURE / STANCE It reflects the degree of security the person feels in his or her environment. Thus, the drawing may reflect activity, assertiveness, fear of the environment, and even a degree of sexual approach or activity. Profile Figure Evasiveness, a reluctance to face and communicate with others, reserved interpersonal style, serious withdrawal or oppositional tendencies, or paranoid tendencies Social anxiety with need for approval Poor judgement

Profile head, full-face body Profile head and legs full face trunk

Confusion of full face and profile (profile forehead and nose, full face eyes and mouth) Back of male figure to observer, male subject Face turned towards page so that back of head shows Full-face figure

Mental retardation; primitive cultural origin; schizophrenic

Desire to be a woman; feminine identification

Withdrawal tendency

Exhibitionistic tendency; social accessibility, social communications, social dependency Constriction, defensiveness, lack of assertion rigid emotional controls Defensive restriction of activity

Rigid posture Stiff posture Rigid posture, profile figure Self-conscious stance Stance tight Stance unbalanced Stance wide

Timid Schizoid Tension aggressive tendencies; assaultiveness

SYMMETRY Slight tendency to loose symmetrical arrangement Disturbed symmetry Excessive symmetry Gross disproportion Rigid symmetry Lack of symmetry Masked symmetry Over symmetrical drawing GROUND LINE Ground line Fence to lean on; ground line Insecurity Need for support Normal

Inadequacy; in coordination Depression; intellectualization Schizophrenia Depressives; neurotic fixation Insecurity; feeblemindedness; psychotics; retarded Paranoid Schizophrenia Compulsivity

CLOTHING AND APPURTENANCES Body emphasis, under clothed Aggressive content such as daggers, guns and spears Belt emphasis Buckle Buttons Egocentric; Schizoid

Delinquent tendency possibly

Sexual conflict Dependency Dependency; immaturity, inadequacy, maternal dependence Affectional deprivation, dependence; possible over identification with mother

Buttons of clothing breasts of figure

Buttons of cuffs Buttons inconspicuous (as a cuffs) Pocket Pocket emphasis Pockets several, male figure, (male subject) Shoe laces wrinkles Other unnecessary details Trousery Skin ankle length on female (male subject) High heel on male, male subject Clothing carefully rendered Clothing detail elaboration Clothing elaboration, grooming Clothing floppish (over

Obsessive-compulsive accompanying dependency Obsessive compulsive

Affectional deprivation Dependent psychopath Passive homosexual

Obsessive compulsive

Preoccupation with masturbating Maternal figure

Homoerotic tendency

Egocentric, immature over concern for maternal criteria for social status Homosexual trend Emphasis on possession & social prestige

Egocentricity, antisocial personality (psychopathic) tendency; need for social approval & dominance Unsatisfying social status

Clothes ill-fitting

Clothes transparent Collar tight Uniform of cowboy or soldier on male figure of male subject V-neckline on female male subject Buttons in midline Buttons plus hat Cane

Voyeurism Problem with control of anger Need for greater status than subject feels he possesses

Breast fixation

Maternal dependence, somatic preoccupation Regression Impotency, involuntional resistance to sexual decline, virility striving Sexual preoccupation, virility striving Sophisticated oral- eroticism Dissatisfaction with self Exhibitionism, sexual preoccupation Aggressive tendency, hostility

Cigarette Cigarette between lips Disguise (clown etc) Earring Gun

Handkerchief in coat pocket emphasized Hat crease Hat, no clothes Hat plus buttons Hat transparent Knife Mask

Sexual inadequacy

Fantasy related to female genitalia Regression Regression Primitive sexual behavior Aggressive tendency Cautious, secretive; possible feeling of depersonalization & estrangement Sexual preoccupation, virility striving Sophisticated oral- eroticism Primitive, oral Masculine striving

Pipe Pipe between lips Straw, toothpick between lips Tie

Tie, flying or swept out AUTOMATISMS Doodling of subjects name Strong wind in scene of human figure drawing Fire place (with fire in it) before figure Sun added Clouds Labelling OVER ALL FIGURE Disshelved, unkempt figure Abstract or stick figure Stick figure Cartoon figure, clown Peanut man, Snowman stickman Peanut man, stick figure by subject capable of more advanced drawing Puppet Robot for male figure (male subject) Witch Weapons NUDITY Idealized nude figures Nude figures with

Overt sexual aggression

Egosim, Narcissium; psychotics; feebleminded Felt subjugation

need for emotional security & warmth

need for affection, nurturing warmth Anxiety, depression Circumstantiality

Felt lack of status, low self esteem

Evasion; insecurity; self distrustful May express evasion or negativism Adolescents with feelings of inadequacy or rejection; internalized hostility; self-contempt Evasion of body problems

Exhibitionistic tendency, secretive

Compliance; feelings of domination by others Depersonalization; feeling of being controlled by outside forces. Hostility toward women, expressed overtly Aggressiveness

Voyeurism Rebellion against society (parent figures); conscious awareness of sexual conflict Body narcissism, egocentricity, immaturity

Same sex figure nude And carefully rendered

SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS Average emphasis on sex characteristics, female subject-neither over nor underemphasized Emphasis on female coquettishness characteristics, female subject Female characteristics Genuine satisfaction in sexual role

Aggressive use of sexual characteristics

Constricted erotic response, limited in heterosexual experience; somatic sexual dysfunction More extensive sexual experiences to promiscuity unsatisfying erotic experience

Female characteristics overstressed, female subject SUCCESSION Extreme discontinuity in drawing (e.g., head, then feet, shoulders than legs) Normal succession in drawing Type of person drawn Maternal figure rather than female sex object Parental figure rather than self image

Psychopathy of incipient kind

Absence of thought disorder, adequate reality contact Ideal self perception of others; self portrait Dependence on maternal figure

Normal in children; adult preoccupied with the past who are unable to emancipate themselves from their parents Psychotics Exhibitionistic, secretive tendency

Disproportion of body Stylistic drawing, as caricatured facetious, simplified Emphasis on left side of figure Multiple Criteria Feet and hands dims or Omitted

Feminine identification

Schizoid

Bizarre features; confusion full face & profile; ear emphasis; emphasis on joint; failure to recognisze grotesqueness of drawing; giraffe neck; gross disproportion; internal organs shown; omission of

Schizophrenia

arms; sexual organs indicated, primitive features with tiny features; unessential detail emphasized; very faint line Breaks in line, erasures, omission; reinforcement shading Breast emphasis, buckles, buttons; concave mouth; midline emphasis; pocket Breast emphasis, buttock emphasis; effeminate features; elaboration of clothing detail; high heels on male figure, male subject Breast emphasis; buttons; fingerless hands, grape or petal fingers, midline emphasis Combination of firm, heavy light line; large arms & fingers; reinforced arms, eyes, fingers, & hair; stance with legs wide apart Conflict Area

Dependency

Homosexual trend

Insecurity

Assaultiveness

Curved lines on body of male, full lips, high heel shoes, lashes, small ankles, feet & wrists, tapering arms & legs all on male figure Ear & eye emphasis; large grandiose figure; large head, speared fingers Fingers without hands, foot emphasis; heavy line; prominent eyes; stick fingers; wide stance

Effeminacy

Paranoid

differentiating assaultive from nonassaultive subjects Insecurity

Ground line; placating facial expression, shaded shoes Hands in pocket; heavy shading; large figure Powerful hands, squared shoulders, weapons, well defined teeth Composite Criteria Arms dangling by sides, entreating facial expression tiny same sex figure

Antisocial Personality Assaultiveness

Conception of self as dependent, helpless, insignificant Wish for protection figure Asthmatic Aggressive tendencies

Arms long and hands prominent, female figure, maternal male subject Arms long and thin, mouth omitted Arms out with fist clenched

Features dim, with emphasis on head, contour Figure clothed with toes exposed Figure effeminate, tie emphasized Refusal or reluctant to draw figure of opposite sex Acceptence of task with minimal protest, good initial progress followed by obvious fatigue and discontinuation of task

Timidity, withdrawal Aggressive tendencies Homosexual trend Sexual role conflict Depressed state

Decreased pace and productivity as drawing continues

Fatigability, possibly associated depression Good prognosis, presence of drive Desire to escape from situation, fear, loneliness, mistrust. Schizophrenics

Persistence with drawing despite difficulties

Sitting on edge of chair

Instructions Misunderstanding of instructions Satisfaction / dissatisfaction with Drawing Lack of expression of satisfaction or dissatisfaction Apologetic of drawing Unawareness of grotesqueness in drawing Appropriate ability to evaluate psychotic- looking Drawing when asked to criticize it COMPARISION OF THE TWO FIGURES Opposite-sex figure drawn larger Possible passive trend, opposite sex viewed as more powerful Constriction, feelings of insignificance, lack of worth Deep repression, neurotic depression Regressed schizophrenia shrunken ego; Alcoholic; involutional, senile patients. Schizophrenics Lack of confidence Schizophrenic tendency Criterion for retained reality

Figure minuscule, light line pressure

Figure micrographic, with detail shading erasures, pressure variation Figure tiny, primitive features

Figures tiny, well - depicted features

Full bodies with tiny shaded or thin legs

Feelings of decline associated with advancing age. Regression Compensatory fantasy, feeling of anxiety or of inferiority relative to body functions. Significant depression

Hat on nude figure Head clearly indicated, dim line body or no body

Inability to complete drawing, marked paucity of depression Rounded curves, small tie, male subject Shoes shaded

Sexual inadequacy insecurity