An overview of Rorschach psychometrics for forensic practice.
This chapter addresses current evidence concerning the Rorschach Inkblot Test relevant to forensic practice. We present a selective overview of research findings and some new data to help explicate the scientific and empirical foundations of the test. The focus is primarily on psychometric issues of reliabi Iity, val idity, normative reference values, and util ity. Even when limiting ourselves to these topics, we are selective because it is not possible to address them comprehensively within a single chapter. We focus on topics of most interest in the forensic arena and that have attracted the most research and controversy lately. I There is no attempt to select research that supports or does not support the test, but rather a bias for selecting recent versus older and well known and established evidence. This review emphasizes Rorschach variables from the Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 2003) but non CS variables are included where relevant. In response to pressing concerns of most forensic psychologists when using the Rorschach, we address the recent criticisms of the Rorschach by synthesizing research findings. In doing so, we identify legitimate and spurious criticisms and describe and illuminate related limitations of the Rorschach. This entails our using the existing research literature and theory about the Rorschach to recommend certain alterations to interpretive practices and to identify important research needs.