Projective Tests
Projective tests are psychological assessments designed to reveal a person's thoughts, feelings, and personality traits through their responses to ambiguous stimuli. These tests often involve pictures, words, or scenarios that encourage individuals to project their inner feelings and conflicts onto the material presented. Common examples include the Rorschach inkblot test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
The underlying theory of projective tests is that people will project their unconscious desires and motivations onto the ambiguous stimuli, providing insight into their personality. While these tests can be useful in clinical settings, their reliability and validity are often debated among psychologists, leading to mixed opinions on their effectiveness.