Adaptive regression of two types

Adaptive regression is considered to be of two types: a relatively uncommunicable private type and a relatively communicable public type. Private adaptive regression was operationalized by hypnotic suggestibility and by a questionnaire. Public adaptive regression was operationalized by two measures of esthetic sensitivity. It was hypothesized that the psychodynamics of the two types are as follows: Hypothesis 1: Private adaptive regression involves engaging in primary process because of secondary process motivation. Hypothesis 2: Public adaptive regression involves engaging in primary process because of secondary process motivation. Hypothesis 3: Public adaptive regression involves secondary process shaping of primary process to a greater extent than does private adaptive regression. Measures of engaging in primary process were derived from inkblot responses. Hypotheses 1 and 3 were supported: Hypothesis 2 was not.