The human figure drawing test

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Evaluating personality through a drawing allows us to eliminate the mental resistance that arises when faced with other more objective instruments. It is precisely this line in which we can frame The Human Figure Drawing Test.

Written and verified by the psychologist Elena Sanz.

The human figure drawing test is one of the most well-known and used projective techniques in personality evaluation.. Among its main advantages we find the simplicity and speed of application. Furthermore, the intrinsic ambiguity of this instrument makes it easier for the individual to express themselves without the resistance that other types of more objective techniques usually arouse.

It is an evaluative element that provides very complete and interesting information regarding the individual’s personality. Nevertheless, Its interpretation is still subject to a certain subjectivity, so it is important that the evaluator has knowledge and experience.

A graphic projective test

The greatest peculiarity of this technique is that it is a projective test. These types of instruments are made up of a unstructured material. Thus, when administering it, the person is usually asked to interpret it.

In the case at hand, We are talking about a graphic projective test. That is, the person is only given a message and asked to express themselves about it by drawing a drawing. In it the most relevant aspects of his personality and possible problem areas will be captured (projected).

The person, not knowing what aspects are being evaluated and the criteria that are followed to do so, The mental barriers that come into play when we work with more structured techniques or with more defined material are significantly mitigated..

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Application of the human figure drawing test

The administration of this test is quick and simple. The individual is offered a blank piece of paper and a pencil and asked to draw a person..

The intervention must be minimal and therefore the instructions given must be as little concrete as possible. While the drawing is being carried out, the examiner writes down on a separate sheet the comments and reactions that the subject is having. These observations will serve to complement the interpretation.

When the subject finishes, he or she is asked to draw another person, this time of the opposite sex.. When the drawings are finished, there is the option to complete the test with a questionnaire about the people drawn.

To do this, the individual is asked to tell a story about each of them in which they give an account of aspects such as: their age, their occupation, their family situation, their tastes and preferences, etc…

Interpretation

Performing a correct interpretation of this test requires paying attention to each part and aspect of the drawing., and put it in relation to the information provided by the entire set. However, some of the elements to take into account in the interpretation are:

Shading and erasings: These are expressions of anxiety, dissatisfaction and perfectionism. They also constitute a discharge of aggressiveness. The place in the drawing where they are concentrated can indicate a conflict with that part of the body or its function.If the figure is large it will be a reflection of the exaltation of the ego and an undervaluation of the environment. On the contrary, if it is smaller than normal, it will be projecting a submissive personality and wanting to go unnoticed.The location of the drawing at the top of the page reflects insecurity and tendency to fantasy, while at the bottom it is related to depression and pessimism. On the right side it shows negativism and resistance to authority and on the left it shows introversion and inhibition. If the first drawing corresponds to the sex of the artist, it will reflect a good identification with his sex.Each part of the body symbolizes the function with which it is related. (ears: listen), so an anomaly in the drawing of some element should lead us to look for conflicts in the related area. (For example: excessively marked ears may indicate excessive sensitivity to criticism).

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The human figure drawing test is a simple technique for the person being evaluated to use that provides very complete information, often lateral and complementary to what we could obtain with other types of techniques.

It has been used successfully in the evaluation of personality, in the detection of conflicts and even as an indicator of the effectiveness of treatment.. However, in clinical practice it is advisable to complement the results with other more objective evaluation instruments.