HTP REVIEWER
HTP 1. Nonverbal, creative and almost
unstructured. Involves inviting the indv
-developed Buck (1948)
to make a freehand pencil drawing of a
-freehand drawings of a house, tree, and person HTP, including an opposite sex
2. Structures post-drawing inquiry,
-complete freedom in the manner in which he involves asking a series of questions
performs about the indv associations to aspects
-assure that HTP is not a test of artistic ability of each drawing.
but the examiner is only interested in the 3. Same step with #1 but w/ the use of
subject’s unique portrayal colored crayons
4. Follow-up questions about these
GENERAL INTERPRETIVE CONSIDERATIONS: colored drawings
HOUSE- arouse associations w/in subject -home Achromatic- pencil drawing / b&w
life and familiar relationship Chromatic- color drawings
TREE- reflect projection from deeper, more
conscious levels of the personality PROCEDURE
HUMAN FIGURE DRAWING- manifestation of: 1. Can take anywhere from 30 minutes to
subject’s perception of himself & the self he an hour and a half
wishes to be 2. Drawings are then evaluated for:
- signs of existing or potential
USERS of the test
psychopathology based on content
- Should possess a thorough background - drawing characteristics such as size,
in personality theory, AB psych, placement, and the presence of
knowledge of Defense mechanisms, and absence of specific parts
full understanding of projective psych. - Indv responses during the post-
drawing inquiry
PURPOSE
-to elicit information about how an indv.
experiences the self in relation to others and to PURPOSE AND CLINICAL APPLICATION
the home environment.
o The task can be viewed as initial
-it brings out projection of personality elements behavior sample that allows the
and areas of conflict into therapeutic setting clinician to assess an individual’s
-it also allows clients to be identified through reactions to a fairly unstructured
assessment and shared for the purpose of situation
o Projective drawing also encourages the
establishing effective therapeutic
communication. establishment of interest, comfort, and
trust between the interviewer and the
client
o For diagnostic purposes, the HTP
provides information which when linked
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
HTP REVIEWER
w/ other interview and assessment you like. You may take as much as time
tools, can reveal an individual’s general as you need. Just do your best.
conflicts and concerns as well as specific If the individual expresses concern over
aspects of the environment that he or his or her drawing ability, emphasize
she finds troublesome that the HTP is not a test of artistic skill
o In ongoing therapy, projective drawings and that the drawing should simply be
can reflect overall changes in an his or her best effort. If the individual
individual’s psychological state. attempts to use any straight edge as a
drawing guide, emphasize that the
HTP “buffer test”- to build rapport
drawing must be freehand.
PRINCIPLES OF USE Begin timing when you have finished
giving the instructions and are satisfied
Respondent population: most suitable: 8 years that the individual understands the
of age; most commonly used w/ children and task. While the drawing is being
differences in drawing characteristics bet. Adults completed, record the ff:
and children. 1. Initial latency- time before the client
actually begins drawing after
Test users: training and supervised experience
instructions are completed
w/ individually administered clinical instruments
2. Order of details drawn
for both children and adults
3. Length of pauses and the specific detail
ADMINISTRATION being drawn when pause occurs.
4. Any spontaneous verbalizations or
Conducted in a one-to-one setting displays of emotion and the detail being
Employed as an initial warm-up task or drawn when each occurs
as a bridge between paper and pencil 5. The total time taken to complete the
assessment and a full clinical interview drawing.
Client should be seated at a table in a
comfortable position for drawing. The TEST MATERIALS
room or area should be quiet and free
o HTP drawing form (WPS catalog no.
from distractions.
W-64)
Requires 30-90 minutes to administer
o Interpretation booklet (WPS catalog
depending on the number of drawings
no. W-282) for each set
requested by the examiner
Minimum of 3 drawings should be (pencil/crayon) of HTP drawing
o No. 2 or softer pencils w. erasers
requested and an inquiry conducted
o Set of crayons at least eight colors
about each drawing
Paper orientation: HOUSE- (ROYGBPBB)
o Clock, watch or stopwatch to record
HORIZONTAL; TP VERTICAL
Interpretation times will vary w/ the latency (time paused until drawing
clinician’s level of experience begins) and total drawing time.
Verbatim instruction- “I want you to
draw a picture of a house/tree/person.
You may draw any kind of
house/tree/person you wish and do the
best you can. You may erase as much as
