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The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) assesses personality through storytelling about 31 illustrated cards. It is administered in two sessions and evaluated based on content and delivery. It is used in clinical and employment settings.
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a psychological test used to assess personality. It is a tool for assessing an individual’s attitudes, motivations, thought patterns, emotional responses, and powers of observation. The thematic perception test consists of a set of 31 illustrated cards depicting human beings in various situations and settings. Individuals taking the thematic perception test are shown a selected set of cards and asked to come up with a dramatic story about each one. This test is given by professional psychologists who are specially trained in its administration and interpretation.
Although the Thematic Apperception Test is untimed, it is usually administered in two sessions lasting approximately one hour each. A person taking the test is placed in a room where there will be no interruptions. Each session, he is shown 10-14 cards that have been selected from the standard set of 31 cards. The psychologist arranges the cards in a face-down pile and gives them one at a time to the person taking the test. When each story is finished, the person places the card in another pile face down in front of them.
At the beginning of the Thematic Apperception Test, instructions are given to tell a story about the image on each card but the story must include some specific elements for the purposes of the test; if one of the items is omitted, the psychologist will ask for it. Subjects must provide the psychologist with a general description of the event taking place in the image and tell what developments led to the depicted event. The story must also include what thoughts and feelings the people in the pictures have and what the end result of the story is.
When the Thematic Apperception Test was first developed in the 1930s, the 31 cards were divided into three categories. One category of cards was for use only with women, one only for men, and one for use with both genders. Over time, psychologists decided to eliminate these categories and use the same 31 cards for both genders.
After the test, the psychologist evaluates not only the content of the story, but also how the individual told the story. A psychologist will use elements such as the individual’s posture, hesitations, and vocal tone in telling the story to interpret the test. This test is used not only in clinical psychological or psychiatric settings, but also to evaluate individuals who are candidates for employment in high-stress fields such as law enforcement, military, and education.
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