Age as a Determinant of Parental Interpretation of Rorschach Cards IV and VII

Abstract

The present study indicated that age is a significant variable in the choice of Rorschach Cards IV and VII as parental representations. At most ages different cards were chosen as representative of parental figures. Thus, responses to Cards IV and VII cannot indiscriminately be interpreted in terms of parental associations without regard to S's age. Cards VIII and X were significantly often chosen as “mother cards” at nearly every age, but there was no consistency in the selection of a “father card.” Cards significantly often chosen as “mother” or “father cards” (with the exception of Card IV by college students) were colored. Pre-college males chose Cards III and IV as resembling father and females selected Card VI.