Szondi Test, the test to reveal the deepest part of your personality

One of the most curious projective tests in the history of psychology is, without a doubt, the Szondi test. Also known as the “analysis of human destiny”, it was designed in 1935 to obtain information about the personality and deepest instincts of the person. His technique could not be simpler: the patient had to choose a face based on the questions that were asked.

First of all, It should be noted that this test currently lacks scientific validity. It was based on an unobjective genetic predeterminism, however, there are certain contexts where it continues to be applied. There are some professionals from penitentiary or psychiatric centers who consider it useful, as long as, of course, it is complemented with other more standardized diagnostic tests.

The basis of this tool consists of the idea that many of the choices we make are related to certain repressed processes, with dimensions that we choose to hide in our childhood stage. Knowing this we can already guess that the test is based on Sigmund Freud’s theory of instincts.

Leopold Szondi, its creator, was a renowned Hungarian psychoanalyst, as well as a psychopathologist and professor of psychology. For almost ten years he was at the same level as Freud himself and Carl Jung, but all his work was dramatically interrupted when the Second World War broke out, at which time He and his family were taken by the Nazis to a concentration camp..

Fortunately, American intellectuals learned of his fate and decided to pay the Germans for his release. However, After that experience, Szondi could no longer resume his work in the same way. to become another great exponent within the field of psychodynamic theories.

However, There are many who value his best-known scientific achievement: the theory of destiny psychology as well as its test. What’s more, it still exists today. the International Szondi Societyaimed at disseminating its theories and teachings.

The Szondi test and the psychology of destiny

The Szondi test uses photography as a diagnostic method. In this test, patients must choose a face based on a question. However, something important should be noted. This test uses 48 cards organized into 6 sets of eight people. In addition, All the photographs that appear are of people suffering from mental disorders.

Therefore, Szondi started from the idea that each patient would choose those images whose expression or facial features denoted a disorder or problem similar to their own. That is to say, repressed impulses would surface when making a certain choice to each question posed by the therapist.

It is assumed (according to this theoretical context) that each of the patients emits a reaction to those physical characteristics (therefore genetic) shared with the image. This phenomenon is called genotropism and It has its roots in the theories that Szondi himself left us with his theory on the psychology of human destiny.

Leopold Szondi and the theory of human destiny

From the beginning, Leopold Szondi sought a third way between the approaches of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Thus, while the former advocated for the individual unconscious and Carl Jung for the collective unconscious, Szondi defined a new option: the family unconscious.

The hard core of his theory was based on the following:

The genes of our ancestors are still present in our unconscious, determining our choices.This connection often brings us unhappiness and even inheriting certain disorders, drives, instincts…In this way, If we are able to connect with our “family unconscious”, we will be able to realize those burdens that still determine us. and, then, work on them to reject them and be free.

The Szondi test is, according to this approach, the first step to achieve this.

How is the Szondi test applied?

The Szondi test can be applied to children from 5 years old and to adults individually or in groups. The methodology is simple, the patient is asked questions such as Which of these people would you go on a trip with? Who would you be friends with? Which of these people do you find more likeable or unfriendly?

Next, you are presented with a card with eight photographs. The patient must give a quick response, He is therefore not allowed to doubt too much. Originally, as we have pointed out, all these images were of people with mental disorders. In this way, the choices could give a clue about the deepest instincts of each patient, those with which they identify unconsciously.

Likewise Szondi defined a series of units with which to measure the choices made by patients:

Sadistic unitThe catatonic unitParanoid unitThe hysterical unitManic unitThe depressive unit. “h-drive” unit (for hermaphrodite or homosexual people)The “e-drive” unit or “epileptic unit”.

Conclusions

We insist once again on an obvious fact: the Szondi test was created in 1935, It lacks scientific validity and the main criticism made of it is its clear geneticist and deterministic approach.. Studies such as the one carried out by the University of Marseille, for example, show us that although it was common to apply it in the field of psychiatry, starting in the 80s it fell into progressive disuse.

Now, another detail should be noted. Today a much more practical alternative to the Szondi test is used. Marketing and advertising companies replace images of people with mental disorders to include other dimensions with which to measure consumers’ tastes, preferences or purchasing inclinations.

Now, Those disturbing faces from the beginning of the 20th century have been replaced by people carrying out activities, by colors, animals or foods. The theory of the family unconscious has now been left behind to explore other simpler, non-pathological and neuromarketing-oriented dynamics.

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