1. Thematic Apperception Test
(TAT)
• TAT has been among the most widely
used, researched, and taught projective
psychological tests.
• The TAT is popularly known as the picture
interpretation technique.
• The subject is asked to tell as dramatic a
story as he can.
• Sometimes it is used in a psychiatric
or psychological context to assess
personality disorders, thought
disorders.

2. Thematic Apperception Test
Used to assess:
• Locus of problems
• Nature of needs
• Quality of interpersonal relationships

3. TAT: Psychometric Critique
• Selection of cards is not standardized
• Lack of norms
• Clinicians rely on qualitative impressions

4. • The large number of research studies that have
used the TAT have indicated that cultural,
gender, and class issues must be taken into
account.

6. TAT: Administration
• Now I want you to make up a story about each
of these pictures. Tell me who the people are,
what they are doing, what they are thinking or
feeling, what led up to the scene, and how it
will turn out.