Couple’s test: what does my drawing mean

This test, also called the couple’s test, allows us to reveal the bond with the real partner or the desire to find love. In turn, it can determine what image we have of ourselves and of the other, what the roles of each one are and what we expect from relationships.

Is about a projective couple test where our quality as artists or draftsmen does not matter, but rather what we reflect on paper. It is capable of showing what the bond we fantasize about is, what our ideal partner would be like and, like any projective test, some of the aspects that we keep in the subconscious about our partner.

“Draw a couple”

That is the instruction to perform this test, although there are some analysts who may say a similar instruction, “draw any two people” and another says “draw a couple.” But that’s as far as the data goes. The participant receives a piece of paper, a pencil and an eraser. The most common thing is to draw yourself next to the most important person at that moment (almost always, a love).

In the event that the “illustrator” is not in a relationship, he will be shown with a person he likes and would probably be the one he felt closest to at that moment. That is, according to this couple’s test, on the sheet the interpretation of reality is mixed with a projection of desires and dreams.

But, not everything has to do with the couple but also with how we see ourselves, the image we have of our body, our roles and our strengths. It is likely that we highlight what we like (the eyes, the legs, the hair) and that we “forget” about the defects or what we don’t like.

Tell the story of the couple

Once the drawing has been completed, the analyst asks that a story be written or told to point out the main characteristics of that couple.: what they do, where they met, what happens to them, what they feel, etc.

Read Also: Do you know what social facilitation is?

Again The differences are notable between those who are in a relationship and those who are not. The first ones will probably tell their own experience, give personal attributes to the drawings and talk about real data, even if they are a little disguised. In the second case, they will narrate potential events, such as “they met in a nightclub or on the subway” and everything they would expect to happen to them when they fall in love.

With all the data collected by the analyst (the drawing plus the story) you can have a fairly faithful profile of the examinee. The interpretation of the couple’s test basically takes into account the perceptions and projections of the person drawing and is not based on the quality of the line. The heights are analyzed, if the people are together or separated, if there are other components on the sheet (for example a road, the sun or a tree), etc.

The internal couple in a drawing

The bet goes beyond drawing two people who may or may not be real. Jaime Bernstein indicated, in 1958, that this couple test serves to explain the internal aspects of the subject being analyzed. This means how we are with ourselves or what we need from who we have next to us.

The “inner couple” is really interesting because it helps us realize what we are missing and what we already have “covered” by being alone.. On a fantastic level we can understand each other a little more, even if we think that we are simply drawing two ordinary people.

Often the person who draws relates his current situation consciously (if he is dating, married, likes a colleague at the office, has just separated) but What really matters in this couple test is what is projected or said “between the lines.” Desires, dreams, longings and the ideal life are captured on paper.

During the evaluation, the contrasts between the drawing and reality, the difference in height between each person, the postures, whether they are close to each other, whether other aspects or elements are also added and the details that are added to the drawing are taken into account. each.

If people do not know that the drawing is going to be analyzed later, they are more open to showing their emotions current, even if it is through two figures made in pencil. It is fascinating to discover what they feel or desire with something so simple, so simple that it seems like child’s play. Would you like to try this couples test with your partner or with another person?

Read Also: Beyond Freud: schools and authors of psychoanalysis

Criticisms of Projective Tests

As mentioned above, the couple test is a project test. These types of tests are not without controversy. According to Fernando Sabogal (2004), if the tests were judged with the normal standards of classical psychometrythese would be excluded from psychological tests for three reasons:

They have no quantifiable ratings. They lack estimation of internal consistency (reliability). There is no possibility of adequate normative data.

These criticisms could be translated into Projective tests measure information appropriately. There is no objective result that highlights an individual inner builder such as depression or anxiety. And it is also criticized that the results may vary depending on who evaluates them.

Despite the criticism, Projective tests continue to be used and researched. Psychology continues to constantly grow, so research is essential. That is why any tool that serves to shed light on our way of being will be investigated from science. In this way, much more complete and quality help can be offered.