Response Style: A Basis for Rorschach Construct Validity

The Rorschach test situation was defined as an ambiguous power relationship in which the S could respond either by moving away from (Recognition), moving toward (Reaction) or moving against (Proaction) the E. Construct validity was approached by predicting both to a trait (trait validity) and to a different theoretical system (nomological validity). To evaluate trait validity it was predicted that yielders would have more Reactive responses than non-yielders and that non-yielders would have more Proactive responses than yielders. Nomological validity was investigated by predicting into Schachter's (1959) theory of affiliation. First born and only children should produce more Reactive scores than late born children and late born children should produce more Proactive responses than first and only children. The prediction that the non-yielders would produce more Proactive scores than yielders was not sustained. However, the hypotheses about yielding and Reaction, first and only children and Reaction, and late children and Proaction were sustained.