NEED FOR APPROVAL AND THREATENED NEGATIVE EVALUATION AS DETERMINANTS OF EXPRESSIVENESS IN A PROJECTIVE TEST

Constriction, or the lack of expressiveness in projective testing as measured by the number of human movement responses given to the Barron inkblot test, was predicted on the basis of 133 undergraduate Ss' need for approval and expectancy of possible disapproval which derived from E's directions. Results strongly supported the emphasis upon situation cues and personal motives as predictors of responses to projective testing. Additional findings with repression-sensitization and the CPI Good Impression scale complimented the findings with need for approval. Constriction was most evident when tests offered personal threat but this was especially so for high need for approval persons seeking to make good impressions. (21 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.