Draw-A-Person Test

Definition

The Draw-A-Person Test is a projective personality assessment technique where an individual is asked to draw a picture of a person. The drawing is then analyzed to gain insights into the individual's personality traits, emotional state, and cognitive development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Draw-A-Person Test was developed by psychologist Florence Goodenough in the 1920s as a measure of children's intellectual maturity and cognitive development.
2. The test is based on the assumption that an individual's drawing of a person reflects their own self-image, emotional state, and psychological characteristics.
3. Aspects of the drawing, such as the size, placement, and level of detail, are analyzed to assess an individual's personality traits, emotional concerns, and cognitive abilities.
4. The Draw-A-Person Test is often used in clinical and educational settings to evaluate children's intellectual and emotional development, as well as to identify potential psychological issues or disorders.
5. The test is considered a projective technique because it allows individuals to project their unconscious thoughts, feelings, and perceptions onto the drawing, providing insight into their inner world.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Draw-A-Person Test is used to assess an individual's personality traits.
  • The Draw-A-Person Test is a projective technique that allows individuals to project their own personality characteristics onto the drawing of a person. Aspects of the drawing, such as the size, placement, and level of detail, are analyzed by trained professionals to gain insights into the individual's self-image, emotional state, and psychological traits. For example, a drawing with a small, centralized figure may suggest feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem, while a drawing with exaggerated features could indicate attention-seeking behavior or narcissistic tendencies. By interpreting the symbolic meaning of the drawing, clinicians can better understand the individual's underlying personality characteristics.
• Describe how the Draw-A-Person Test can be used to assess an individual's cognitive development.
  • The Draw-A-Person Test was originally developed as a measure of children's intellectual maturity and cognitive development. The level of detail, proportions, and complexity of the drawing are analyzed to determine the child's stage of cognitive development and intellectual abilities. For instance, a child who draws a person with a simple, stick-figure-like appearance may be demonstrating a lower level of cognitive development, while a child who includes more detailed features, such as facial expressions, clothing, and accessories, may be exhibiting more advanced cognitive skills. By comparing the child's drawing to developmental norms, clinicians and educators can identify potential cognitive delays or giftedness, and tailor educational and therapeutic interventions accordingly.
• Evaluate the usefulness of the Draw-A-Person Test in clinical and educational settings.
  • The Draw-A-Person Test is a widely used and valuable tool in both clinical and educational settings. In clinical settings, the test can provide valuable insights into an individual's emotional state, psychological characteristics, and potential mental health concerns. By analyzing the symbolic meaning of the drawing, clinicians can gain a better understanding of the individual's self-image, coping mechanisms, and underlying psychological issues, which can inform diagnosis and treatment planning. In educational settings, the test can be used to assess a child's cognitive development, intellectual abilities, and potential learning difficulties. The information gathered from the Draw-A-Person Test can help educators develop appropriate educational strategies and interventions to support the child's academic and social-emotional growth. Overall, the Draw-A-Person Test is a versatile and informative projective technique that can be a valuable component of a comprehensive psychological or educational assessment.

Related terms

Projective Techniques: Projective techniques are psychological assessment tools that allow individuals to project their inner thoughts, feelings, and personality characteristics onto ambiguous or unstructured stimuli.

Personality Traits:

Personality traits are enduring characteristics that describe an individual's behavior, thoughts, and emotions, and contribute to their unique personality.

Cognitive Development:

Cognitive development refers to the process of acquiring and developing mental abilities, such as problem-solving, memory, and language skills, which occur throughout an individual's lifespan.