Abstract:
A reputed advantage of projective psychological measures such as the Rorschach
Test over self-report psychological tests has been projectives' comparative freedom from
social desirability response (SDR) bias. SDR bias is generally defined as the tendency
for subjects to respond to personality test items in a manner that consistently presents
the self in a favorable light (Wiggins, 1964). Research has shown that self-report
instruments such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) are
susceptible to such bias (Meehl & Hathaway, 1946). However, to date projectives’
comparative freedom from SDR bias has only been a reputed advantage, lacking
empirical support Additionally, critics of projective measures in general and of the
Rorschach in particular, have repeatedly pointed out varying scoring and interpretation
approaches among clinicians as lacking in uniformity or consistency.
The e purpose of the present study was to assess the susceptibility to SDR bias
of a new objectively-scored measure intended to be administered in conjunction with the
Rorschach. The Karp Inkblot Response Questionnaire (KIRQ) requires a subject to
complete a questionnaire about his/her first responses to each of the ten Rorschach
plates. The KIRQ was designed to draw upon the strengths of both projective and self-
report tasks, hopefully incorporating projectives’ reputed freedom from SDR bias with self-
report measures’ reliable and uniform data collection techniques. 103 subjects (18 males
and 85 females, mean age = 21.56 years) participated in the study. Subjects completed
the MMPI-2, Marlowe-Crowne Inventory, Rorschach Inkblot Test, and the KIRQ. Three
hypotheses were tested: (a) Rorschach and KIRQ scales would show no significant
relationship with SDR measures, (b) MMPI-2 scales would show significant relationships
with SDR measures, and, (c) support would be found for existing KIRQ validity data.
Hypotheses (a) and (b) were tested using stepwise multiple regression, while
hypothesis (c) was tested using correlations between individual measures.
Overall Rorschach and KIRQ scales showed little significant relationship to
measures of SDR bias, namely the MMPI-2 L scale, MMPI-2 K scale, and Marlowe Crowne Inventory. Comparatively, MMPI-2 scales showed significant relationships with
SDR measures more frequently. Validity findings were more variable, providing data
corroborating existing validity figures as well as data contradicting existing findings.
Rndings were interpreted using Paulhus’ (1984) model of SDR which breaks social
desirability responding into self-deception and impression management Limitations of this
study and recommendations for future research are discussed.