Age as a Variable in the Connotative Perceptions of Some Animal Symbols

Using the Rorschach as one instrument in the selection of industrial- and business-personnel, the author become aware that in the testing-the-limits (tt1) phase individuals showed a strong tendency (and consistency) in either accepting or rejecting all suggested concepts. The popularity-level of the suggested concept appeared to operate at the best on a secondary level in influencing acceptance or rejection of the concepts.

Three studies described in the present paper conclusively support the existence of such a consistent tendency, at least among normal Ss of average or above-average intelligence.

This finding is interpreted as proof that the ttl measures a different dimension than the Rorschach-test proper.

The nature of the dimension is still questionable but indications are that it is a measure of a person's willingness (and ability) to look at problems, or situations, in a genuinely flexible manner upon demand from persons in authority.