OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide basic knowledge on the use of projective methods in clinical psychology. In particular, it will focus on the use of the Rorschach test according to the Exner's Comprehensive System.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To achieve practical technical skills related to the fields of psychology.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in the planned training activities (lectures, discussion of clinical cases and individual and group exercises) and individual study will enable the students:

- to learn the use and abuse of personality tests;

- to learn the rationale of projective methods;

- to learn the differences between performance-based tests and projective methods

- to know the differences between the nomothetic approach and the idiographic approach in the interpretation of the tests;

- to know the development of the Rorschach test and its evolution from 1920 to today;

- to learn how to administer and transcribe the Rorschach test according to the guidelines of the Exner Comprehensive System;

- to learn the basis element of the Exner Comprehensive System with regard to the coding and the interpretation of the Rorschach test;

- to acquire the basic elements for the assessment of cognitive functioning, with reference to information processing, cognitive mediation and ideation through the Rorschach test;

- to acquire the basic elements for assessing the ability to control and tolerate the stress through the Rorschach test;

- to acquire the basic elements for assessing tolerance to affects and emotional regulation through the Rorschach test;

- to acquire the basic elements to evaluate self-perception and perception of interpersonal relationships through the Rorschach test;

PREREQUISITES

Having acquired basic knowledge in clinical psychology

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lessons, classroom presentation and discussion of clinical material.

The course consists of a) lectures, presentation and discussion in the classroom of clinical material in the classroom for 20 hours and b) exercises and individual study for a total of 30 hours.

Attendance is mandatory. Students who have exceeded 20% (4 hours) of absences (including delays and early exits) to classroom lessons must attend again the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

• Diagnosis in clinical psychology: descriptive and dynamic-structural criteria

• Use and abuse of tests in clinical psychology

• The psychodiagnostic setting: referral, test administration, report

• Development of the Rorschach test from 1920 to today

• Indications and contraindications to the use of the Rorschach test

• Reliability and validity of the Rorschach tests

• The Exner’s Comprehensive System

• The administration of the Rorschach test

• Basic elements of the coding according to Comprehensive System

• Assessment of the cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, self-perception, interpersonal perception and stress tolerance according to Comprehensive System interpretative guidelines

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Rosso, A. M. Manuale per l’uso del test di Rorschach in psicopatologia. Piccin Editore, Padova, 2008 (capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, and 8).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANNA MARIA ROSSO (President)

LAURA MIGLIORINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Three courses will be activated during the academic year. The times will be announced edited by the Laboratories Office.

Class schedule

LABORATORY PROJECTIVE METHODS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

A written test, valid for passing the exam, will be held at the end of the last lesson.

For students who will take the test in English, the exam will consist of 5 open-ended questions. Each question will be evaluated 0-6 points depending on the correctness, relevance and appropriate use of the terminology. Students must inform the teacher at least 7 days before taking the exam by writing to rosso@unige.it.

Students with DSA certification may choose whether to take the exam orally or to take the written exam having twice the time. They must inform the teacher of their choice at least 5 days before taking the exam by writing to rosso@unige.it

Students who do not pass the test can take the exam again during the next course by agreeing with the teacher.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam will ascertain the learning of the topics covered during the course.

Specifically, the exam aims to ascertain the following aspects of student preparation:

- ability to correctly administer the Rorschach test;

- ability to correctly interpret the variables included in the cluster related to stress control and tolerance;

- ability to correctly interpret the variables included in the clusters related to cognitive functioning;

- ability to correctly interpret the variables included in the cluster concerning the tolerance of affects and emotional regulation;

- ability to correctly interpret the variables included in the clusters related to self-perception and to the interpersonal perception