Aggressive Responses to the Holtzman Inkblot Technique by Indian and White Alcoholics

Abstract

Interview, Holtzman Inkblot data, and aggressive behavior records were obtained for 18 American Indian and 21 white hospitalized alcoholics to determine whether cultural differences were present. No differences were found between groups on either behavioral or projective test indices, thus contradicting commonly held stereotypes of alcoholic Indian aggression. Evidence suggests that non-movement-hostile fantasy substitutes for actual aggression among Indians and oral dependence as purported to be measured by "water responses" is more characteristic of them; this may be an etiological factor, especially related to economic and social deprivation.