Brief detail of test

Projective test is one way to evaluate an individual’s personality and can be used to explore the
depths of unconscious thoughts. They usually employ ambiguous stimuli to evoke responses that
may reflect personality characteristics. Projective tests can be applied to both children and adults.
The responses in these tests are recorded and analyzed by psychological interpretation and a
complex algorithm, and then researchers or clinicians can understand the individuals’ personality
characteristics and emotional functioning.
One of the most important projective tests is the Human Figure Drawing or the HFD test. The
subject is provided paper and pencil, and one of several test instructions, for example, “draw a
whole figure, not a stick figure,” or provided three sheets of paper and asked to “draw a man, a
woman, and yourself.”. Drawings are scored and the clinician evaluates different figural aspects,
including body parts, motor coordination, and face and limb proportion. There is no specific time
limit, but participants usually finished within 10 min. clinicians can infer the individual’s
personality traits and emotional state by analyzing the overall portrait and the characteristics of
different body parts. There are three main advantages of the HFD. First, the test is convenient,
fast, only requires pencil and paper, and can usually be completed within 10 min. Second, it is
closely related to the subject’s self-perception of themselves, while other tests such as tree
drawing might be too abstract. Third, subjects may not know how their work will be interpreted,
so they are less likely to consciously bias their work in specific directions

Test material:
The following materials are required for the HFD test:
A4 Paper
Lead Pencil
Eraser
Administration
Administration involves setting up the testing environment, giving the test-taker clear
instructions, and ensuring the test is conducted consistently. The tester should be properly trained
for their role on how to properly administer the test. These are just a few of the tasks involved in
the administration process.
First, the client was provided with all the necessary materials required for the test. Pencils,
erasers and plain A4 paper were provided for everyone. Each client was provided with 2-3 blank
pages. One was placed in the front and the others were placed on either side of the table. The
clients were tested individually, seated at a table of an appropriate height for them to work at,
opposite the examiner. The testing environment was clean and with little to no disturbances such
as noise etc. The client was then given clear-cut instructions on how to complete the test and
what was required of them. Then, they were asked if they had any queries regarding the testing
process. If they did, all the queries were answered in a non-directive manner, and then the test
was started. The clients were allowed as much time as they wished to complete the drawing.
‫‪Instructions:‬‬
‫‪The following instructions were given to the client before the test was started:‬‬

‫• ہم ایک پرسنلٹی ٹیسٹ کروانے والے ہیں جو ہمیں آپ کی شخصیت کے بارے میں بتائے گا‪-‬‬
‫• اس صفحےکے اوپر آپ نے ایک مکمل انسان کی تصویر بنانی ہے‪-‬‬
‫• تصویر بناتے ہوۓاس بات کا خیال رکھنا ہے کے وو تصویر کوئی کارٹون یا کسی کارٹون سے ملتی جلتی نہ ہو‪-‬‬
‫تصویر بناتے ہوۓ آپ نے واضع اور گہری الئنز لگانی ہے‪ .‬آپکو بہترین ڈرائنگ الئنز لگانے کی ضرورت نہیں ہے‬
‫•کیوں کے یہ‬
‫کوئی ڈرائنگ ٹیسٹ نہیں ہے‪-‬‬
‫• آپ تصویر بناتے ہوۓ حسبے ضرورت ربر کا استعمال کر سکتے ہے‬
‫• اس میں کچھ سہی یا کچھ غلط نہیں ہے‪ .‬جس طرح کی بھی مکمل انسان کی تصویر بنایں گے قابل قبول ہو گی‪-‬‬
‫• اگر تصویر زیادہ بڑی بن رہی ہے تو آپکو اور صفے بھی دیے جا سکتے ہے‪-‬‬

‫‪Inquiry:‬‬
‫ٹیسٹ کے دوران کالئنٹ کی طرف سے پوچھے گئے کچھ عام سواالت درج ذیل ہیں‪:‬۔‬
‫مجھے کس کی تصویر کھینچنی ہے؟‬
‫جواب‪ :‬آپ کو ایک مکمل انسانی تصویر کھینچنی ہوگی۔‬

‫کیا میں آپ کو دیکھتے ہوئے تصویر کھینچ سکتا ہوں؟‬

‫جواب‪ :‬اگر آپ ایک مکمل انسان کا تصور کریں اور پھر اسے کھینچیں تو بہت بہتر ہوگا۔‬

‫کیا میں کسی ایسے شخص کی تصویر کھینچ سکتا ہوں جسے میں پسند کرتا ہوں؟‬
‫‪.‬جواب‪ :‬یہ آپ پر منحصر ہے۔ آپ کو ایک مکمل انسان کی تصویر کھینچنی ہوگی‬
Manual:
Koppitz method, an objective method, of scoring children's human figure drawings can be used
as a valid assessment instrument. A list of 38 signs on HFDs were selected which were believed
to possess all the characteristics of Emotional Indicators. These items were derived from the
work of Machover and Hammer. Some of the Emotional Indicators have greater diagnostic value
than others. The HFD emotional indicators by Elizabeth M. Koppitz were used for interpretaion.
Each Emotional Indicator and its interpretaion is described here separately:
1. Poor integration
• Immaturity & impulsivity
• Overtly aggressive individuals
• Emotionally not strong
• Sign of poor achievement in those who have neurological impairment & retardation
2. Shading of the face
• Manifestation of anxiety
• Overtly aggressive/ stealing
• Poor self concept
3. Shading of the body:
• Body anxiety
• Psychosomatic complaints
• Guilt feeling
4. Shading of the hands
• Anxiety related to the activities done by hands
5. Shading of the neck:
• Anxiety related to handling of stress
• Try to control anxious impulse
• Acting out behavior
6. Gross asymmetry of limbs:
• Aggressive
• Brain injured
• Poor coordination & impulsivity
7.Slanting figure:
• Sense of instability
 • Lack of balance
8. Tiny figure:
• Depression
• Extreme sense of withdrawal
• Poor self image
9. Big figure:
• Aggressive
• Immature
• Poor inner control
10. Transparencies:
• Acting out behavior
• Immaturity
11. Tiny head:
• Hostile feeling towards others
• Poor achievement
• Maladjusted individual
12. Crossed eyes:
• Paranoid ideation
• Inward eyes represents hostility & anger
13. Teeth:
• Aggressive
• Sadistic tendency if teeth were sharp
• Oral sex
14. Short Arms:
• Inadequacy towards task
• Difficulty in approaching others
15. Long Arms:
• Aggressively approaching others
• Striving for the need of affection, & love
16. Arms clinging:
• Defensive individual
• Good impulse control
 • Paranoid schizophrenic
• Rigid & reserved
17. Big Hand:
• Aggressive
• Acting out
• Stealing things
18. Hand cut off:
• Poor achievement
• Helplessness
• dependent
19. Legs pressed:
• Fear of attack
• Tension related to sexual activity
• Rejection of someone who approached them
20. Genitals:
• Acute body anxiety
• Psychopathology
21. Monster (Ghost):
• Poor self control
• Environmental stress
• Inadequacy
22. Three or more figures spontaneously drawn:
• Need of dependency
• Poor school achievement
Problem with their self identity
23. Clouds, sun or moon:
• Under pressure of authority figure
24. Snow or moon:
• Intrapsychic conflict
25. Omission of eyes:
• Denial/ refusal of problem
• Limited social interest
26. Omission of nose:
• Shy/ withdrawal behavior
• Feeling of helplessness
• Castration anxiety/ masturbatory guilt
27. Omission of mouth:
• Psychosomatic complaints
• Depressed
• Anxiety/ insecurity
• Refused to communicate with others
28. Omission of arms:
• Depressed & helplessness
• Sexual guilt/ overt hostility
29. Omission of legs:
• Insecurity
• Intense Anxiety
30. Omission of feet:
• Feeling of Insecurity
• Helplessness
• Hopeless attitude towards others
31. Omission of neck:
• Psychosomatic complaints
• Immaturity
• Poor inner control
Case # 1

History of client:
Name: Junaid Ali
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Educational qualification: Graduate
Socioeconomic status: Upper middle class

Interpretation:
This drawing can be described as 'lacking detail', with 'no pupils', 'no clothes', 'no hair', 'no ears'
and with the face not clear and being expressionless and with a 'very square body’. The drawing
suffers from a lack of detail in general, as well as specifically on the face and clothing. The
figure also has poor proportions. Strangely shaped and poorly defined limbs are characteristic of
disturbed behavior. This drawing also shows a lack of facial features and detail such as pupils in
the eyes. The drawing shows fewer smiles and facial expressions in general and does not have
clothing or hair depicted which might be another sign of disturbance. It is possible, but perhaps
less likely, that the client did not see the face as necessary for the representation of the person.
The body's large and square shape may suggest a strong emphasis on physicality and a tendency
towards a straightforward and direct approach to life. The gross asymmetry of the drawing can
be an indicator of aggressive or impulsive behavior. As the client is an adult, the relatively big
figure can be a sign of feelings of narcissism and paranoid delusions of grandiosity. The tiny
head as compared to the rest of the body may point to feelings of impulsivity. Long arms on
adult drawings are indicative of being ambitious or striving and ‘reaching out to others’ rather
than being withdrawn.
Case # 2
Case History:
Name: Tashifa Javed
Age: 12
Sex: Female
Educational qualification: Middle school
Socioeconomic status: Middle class

Interpretation:
There were only two emotional indicators produced in this figure. This figure was 'very detailed'
though it had no clothes. The normal HFDs were seen to depict clothing more often than the
disturbed ones. This may also be a sign of developmental delay since the addition of clothing on
a drawing is part of the developmental process. There was a lot of attention to detail and the parts
of the body are in the correct place, with more or less correct proportions. The forms in the
drawing are proportionate and adequately structured, indicating a sense of organization and
accuracy. There are no distortions or exaggerations, reflecting a healthy perception of reality.
The figure can be seen smiling and smiling faces are more common on the normal HFDs. These
HFDs were seen as age appropriate, typical and looking more like people. The figure seems
'Friendly looking'. Apart from no clothing, the drawing is very appropriate looking with all the
limbs intact and in all the right places. No emotional indicators were produced in the drawing.
Overall, the drawing exhibits emotional indicators that align with a relatively normal and stable
emotional state. The individual seems to have a sense of self-assurance, organization, and
balance. The child seems to be emotionally and developmentally stable.
Case # 3
Case History:
Name: Noor-ul-Ain
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Educational qualification: High school
Socioeconomic status: Middle class

Interpretation:
Only five emotional indicators were present in the drawing. These being poor integration of the
body parts, transparencies, Arms long enough to reach the knee-line, big hands as large as face
and side way glance of both eyes. Poor integration is a valid emotional indicator of immature and
overtly aggressive children. Poor integration can be associated with a lot of different factors
which include poorly integrated personality, instability or impulsivity. It is difficult to determine
which factor is involved based on a single HFD test. Another important emotional indicator seen
in this particular figure is transparency which is a sign of acting out and aggressive behavior. The
individual made the outline of the figure and then drew the clothes on the figure as if literally
clothing on a person. This is indicative of immaturity on part of the child but is not unusual in
middle schooled children and is not considered pathological. Lastly, Big hands in the figure are
suggestive of overtly aggressive behavior and is not usually seen on HFDs of shy individuals.