The House-Tree-Person Test History John N Buck developed in 1947 with revisions in 1948, 1949, and (Buck & Warren) 1992 © Originally developed as an outgrowth of the Goodenough Scale. Florence Goodenough developed Measurement of Intelligence by Drawings in 1926. The instrument focus was on the human figure and its purpose was to derive a measure of I.Q. © It was assumed that the content and quality of the H-T-P was rooted in the individual's basic personality. ‘© Buck developed a quantitative scoring system to appraise gross classification levels of intelligence along with at qualitative interpretive analysis to appraise global personality characteristics Purpose © HTP: Drawa house, tree, person, & opposite sex person. ‘© Inner view of himself/herself, the environment, the things considered important inician in obtaining information concerning an individual's sensitivity, maturity, flexibility, efficiency, degree of personality integration, and interaction with the environment specifically and generally. ‘© Provides a structured context for the projection of unconscious material. © Use in combination with other projective measurement instruments, usually given first as an “ice-breaker” © Anyone over 3 years of age «Especially appropriate for individuals who are culturally different, educationally deprived, or developmentally disabled. ‘* Some aspects of drawings may be indicative of psychological trends Provide with diagnostically and prognostically significant data © The object of house, tree and person were chosen because they: o Were familiar items or concepts even to very young children © Were more willingly accepted for drawing by subjects of all ages and types than were other suggested objects © Appeared to stimulate more frank and free verbalization than did other items. Administration ‘© Use three pieces of plain white 7x8.5 paper, give the first and say + Lead pencil of Grade 2 with erasers ‘© Asset of wax crayons of not less than 8 colors: red, green, blue, yellow, brown, black, purple and orange. * A sstop watch Administration (2 phase, 4 step) PHASE I PHASE 2 (Achromatic) (Chromatic) ‘* Non verbal creative and almost | _ © Non verbal creative and completely unstructured almost completely + Freehand pencil drawing unstructured. Freehand’ * Verbal, apperceptive and more formally structured © Additional questions Step 1 © Count time on stop watch «Time between finishing instructions and when participant started to draw (initial latency period) © The number and name of the detail of the house in order each is drawn * Any pause occurring, relate the pause to the detail sequence (ntra-whole pause) © All spontaneous comments Any emotion «Total time for complete drawings Step 2 © Participant is given an opportunity to describe, define and interpret his drawn object and their respective environments. © 60 primary questions. Step 1 Step 2 drawing of HTP with crayons * Verbal, apperceptive and more formally structured. © Describe, define and interpret © The participant is suppose to identify crayons with color to check color blindness. # No pencil is available. + Participant is not allowed to erase in this step. ‘© The participant is not asked another house. © For this he might make him think he should not duplicate his chromatic house. ‘© Full freedom of color choice. ‘* Examiner asks additional questions Instructions «Take one of these pencils, please, I want you to draw me as good a picture of a house as you can. You may draw any kind of house you wish, its entirely up to you may erase as much as you like, it will not be counted against you. And you may take as long as you wish, just draw me as good a house as you can (if a profile or head only, say, "Wait, I ‘want you to draw a whole person, not just the head or profile"). © Ifthe participant asks for a ruler or attempt to make use of any object as a ruler, the examiner tells him his drawings must be freehand. © Atthe end the examiner says “now sit back and relax while I ask you a few questions about what you have just drawn” + Drawings are interpreted using two “paths” © Intra-subjective © Inter-subjective * Content and quality of the three drawings ‘© Explores the depth of material behind the drawings ‘© Features indicative of a certain emotional tendency wy8 categories for client responses: ‘© General Observations Proportion Perspective Detailing Nonessential Details Irrelevant Details Line Quality Use of Color 0000000 Advantages Group testing as a screening device to identify the maladjusted To evaluate a subject's adjustment prior to entrance into a school or specialized training program To appraise personality integration adjustment prior to employment ‘Asa research tool to identify personality factors common to subjects of a given group. Greater applicability to children. Good for patients with limited education, limited intellectual ability, low SES, or those who are shy and withdrawn; those who don’t understand all languages, or who are mute No time limit Projective, not a diagnostic test but provide diagnostic indications Every drawing is different for every person (individualized) Reliability and validity studies have been most supportive of the cognitive uses of the test in 3 to 10 year old children. Disadvantages Verbal patients are less responsive to graphic techniques than to other projective tests, like the TAT or Rorschach. Not “standardized”, No norms/no standardization data available Psychomotor difficulties such as physical handicaps or tremulousness (geriatric patients) impede the analysis. Their personality expression is held back by their motoric handicap. Patients with a paucity of inner life, such as the schizoid patient, provide a barren personality profile. These patients need something external to stimulate their mental processes. House interpretations Cars: Signs of visitors coming or people in the home leaving. Lights: Signs to welcome visitors or reveal prowlers. Open doors or many windows: Strong needs to engage others, Big windows: especially in the bathroom, could be exhibitionistic desire Psychotics tends to show ground lines (their need for grounding), clear visions of the insides of the house (they believe their thoughts and mind are open to view by others), strange angles (like their strange thought processes), or a house on the verge of a collapse (like their ego). Lines and walls: Boundaries and strengths of the ego, Weak lines are weaknesses in the ego, Strong lines are problems with anxiety and a need to reinforce boundaries. Roof: Symbolizes the fantasy life, Extra attention to it can indicate extra attention to fantasy and ideation, Incomplete, tiny, or burning roofs can indicate avoidance ofoverpowering, Frightening fantasies (think about fears of ghosts in the attic - these are based on the association for us). ‘Windows, doors, and sidewalks: Relate to openness, willingness to interact with others, and ideas about the environment. Shades, shutters, bars, curtains, and long and winding sidewalks indicate some unwillingness to reveal Tree interpretations Trunk: Represent the ego, sense of self, and the intactness of the personality. Heavy lines or shadings bark: Anxiety about one's self, small trunks are limited ego strength, large trunks are more strength. A tree split down the middle, as if hit by lightening, can indicate a fragmented personality and serious mental illness, or a sign of organicity. Limbs are the efforts our ego makes to "reach out" to the world and support "things that feed us" what we need. Limbs detached are difficulties reaching out, or efforts to reach ut that we can't control. Small branches: limited skills to reach out, while big branches may be too much reaching out to meet needs. Very pointy branches: represent aggressiveness. Gnarled branches: "twisted" and represent being "twisted" in some efforts to reach out. Dead branches: emptiness and hopelessness. Leaves: Efforts to reach out are successful, since leaves growing mean the tree is reaching out to the sun and getting food and water. No leaves: Feeling barren, Leaves detached from the branches: nurturing we get is not very predictable. Pointy leaves: aggression, obsessive attention Detail on the leaves: Obsessive Compulsive tendencies. Roots: "ground" the tree and people, and typically relate to reality testing and orientation. No roots: Insecurity and no feeling of being grounded, overemphasized roots can be excessive concem with reality testing, while dead roots can mean feelings of disconnection from reality, emptiness, and despair. Knots or twists in the wood, like gnarled limbs: Some part of the ego is twisted around some issue. Height up the tree: represents age of the trauma (so, halfway up for a 10 year old is at age 5). Weeping willow trees are more common in depressed people. People with high needs for nurturance draw apples. Person interpretations The person of the same sex is like you, and the person of the opposite sex is what you may not admit is like you. Pregnant women or women who have recently given birth may draw naked women, and women having recently seen the gynecologist may draw naked women. Usually the same-sex person is drawn first, and the opposite-sexed person second. Some interpret drawing the opposite-sex first as a sign of gender confusion, which has not been well-supported. ‘Arms are the way individual reach out to the environment, and hands the way individual effect it.Open arms: willingness to engage, Closed arms: defensiveness, disconnected arms are powerlessness... Pointed fingers or balled fists: aggression, Hidden or gloved hands: anxiety or antisocial tendencies. It could also be difficulty drawing good hands. Legs and feet are also like the roots of trees, and represent grounding and power too. If cut off at the bottom of the paper (think of cutting someone off at the knees) it can mean loss of autonomy, Small feet (inadequate bas Big feet: adequate base Neck separates the head (cogni No neck is no separation, Long neck is desire for more separation of the two, etc... Mouth is how we get needs met (think Freud and oral stuff), Big or open mouth is neediness, cupid bow or luscious lips is sexualized needs, closed tight mouth is denial of needs or some passive-aggression, and frowns, sneers, and smiles mean with they do in real life. Genitalia, breasts, etc... are seldom drawn, and indicate sexual concems and discomfort. Emphasis on breasts though are not uncommon in prepubescent girls, and both disturbed and non-disturbed boys Robots (loss of emotions in a psychotic way), Cowboys (masculinized needs), ‘Snowmen (regressive themes), Stick man (childish or regressive themes) Excessive details are consistent with some obsessiveness when dealing with anxiety, while a marked lack of detail can indicate withdrawal, low energy, or boredom. need for security, n) from the body (drives and needs),A NEO Personality Inventory ‘The NEO-Personality Inventory assessment is a psychometric tool used to assess personality traits. ‘The NEO Personality Inventory uses the ‘Five-Factor Model’ (also known as the ‘Big Five Personality Test’) to measure personality traits. This theory suggests that each person’s personality boils down to five core areas — and the test examines these separate areas of personality to draw conclusions. ‘The NEO-PI test grew out of academic psychology work carried out in the 1970s by Costa & MeCrae who developed the ‘five trait’ model, following on from work that started in the 1920s. By 1978 their work had led them to conclude that there were three broad personality traits: Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E) and then Openness (0) — which they called “Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Inventory’ or ‘NEO-I’. Further work led to the addition of Agreeableness (A) and Conscientiousness (C), with the test then renamed ‘NEO Personality Inventory’ or ‘NEO-PI’. Further iterations to the model were developed by the pair during the 1980s and 1990s, including adding various subsections. The model currently used by academics, clinicians and recruiters is the ‘NEO PI-3” and can be used by adolescents as young as 10, as well as those for whom English is not their first language. A shortened version named ‘NEO FFI-R’ (‘Five Factor Inventory’) is also available. This test isa shorter version, taking around 15 minutes to complete, with only 60 behavioural descriptions to consider. Both the NEO PI-3 and NEO-FFI are untimed tests. Costa and MeCrae published three updated versions of their personality inventory in 1985 (NEO PI), 1992 (NEO PI-R (or Revised NEO PI), and 2005 (NEO PI-3). The revised inventories feature updated norms. The internal consistency of the NEO PI-3 was consistent with that of the NEO PI-R, with a ranging from .89 to .93 for the five domains, Internal consistency coefficient from the facets, with each facet scale comprising fewer items than each of the Big Five scales, were necessarily smaller, ranging from .54 to .83,Scoring The scores are marked using high, medium or low. ° ‘As Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E) Openness (0) Agreeableness (A) and Conscientiousness © ‘Neuroticism (N) Description of high scores: Individuals who are high in neuroticism have a tendency to experience negative affects such as fear, sadness, embarrassment, anger, guilt, and disgust. They are also prone to irrational ideas, are less able to control their impulses, and tend to cope poorly with stress, Description of low scores: Individuals who are low in neuroticism are emotionally stable. They are usually calm, even-tempered, relaxed, and able to face stressful situations without becoming upset or rattled. 1. Anxiety 2, Angry Hostility 3. Depression 4, Self-consciousness ¢ 5. Impulsiveness 6. Vulnerability (N1) Anxiety Anxious individuals are apprehensive, fearful, prone to worry, nervous, tense, and jittery. The scale does not measure specific fears or phobias, but high scorers are more likely to have such fears, as well as free-floating anxiety. Low scorers are calm and relaxed. They do not dwell on things that might go wrong. (N2) Angry Hostility Angry hostility represents the tendency to experience anger and related states such as frustration and bitterness. This scale measures the individual's readiness to experience anger; whether the anger is expressed depends on the individual's level of Agreeableness. Note, however, that disagreeable people often score high on this scale, Low scorers are easy-going and slow to anger. (N3) Depression This scale measures individual differences in the tendency to experience depressive affect. High scorers are prone to feelings of guilt, sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness. They are easilyhailed Gg oprah A ee wie a y souls discouraged and often dejected. Low scorers rarely experience such emotions, but they are not necessarily cheerful and lighthearted — characteristics associated instead with Extraversion. (N4) Self-Consciousness The emotions of shame and embarrassment form the core of this facet of Neuroticism. Self- conscious individuals are uncomfortable around others, sensitive to ridicule, and prone to feelings of inferiority. Self-consciousness is akin to shyness and social anxiety. Low scorers do not necessarily have poise or good social skills, they are simply less disturbed by awkward social situations, (NS) Impulsiveness Impulsiveness refers to the inability to control cravings and urges. Desires (¢.g., for food, cigarettes, possessions) are perceived as being so strong that the individual cannot resist them, although he or she may later regret the behavior. Low scorers find it easier to resist such temptations and have a high tolerance for frustration. The Impulsiveness facet should not be confused with spontaneity, risk-taking, or rapid decision time. (N6) Vulnerability Individuals who score high on this scale feel unable to cope with stress, becoming dependent, hopeless, or panicked when facing emergency situations. Low scorers perceive themselves as 2 capable of handling themselves in difficult situations. Extraversion (E) ‘The areas tested here conclude whether you dominate a situation or are quieter and less assertive. Description of high scores: Individuals who are high in extraversion are sociable; they like people and prefer large groups and gatherings. Extraverts are assertive, active, and talkative. ‘They like excitement and stimulation and tend to be cheerful in disposition. They are upbeat, energetic, and optimistic. Deseri ion of low scores: Individuals who are low in extraversion are reserved, independent, and even-paced. Introverts prefer to be alone. Although they are not given to the exuberant high spirits of extraverts, introverts are not unhappy or pessimistic. 1. Warmth 2. Gregariousness 3. Assertiveness 4. Activity5. Excitement-seeking 6. Positive emotions (E1) Warmth Warmth is the facet of Extraversion most relevant to issues of interpersonal intimacy. Warm people are affectionate and friendly. They genuinely like people and easily form close attachments to others. Low scorers are neither hostile nor necessarily lacking in compassion, but they are more formal, reserved, and distant in manner than high scorers. (E2) Gregariousness Gregarious people enjoy the company of others — “the more the merrier.” Low scorers on this scale tend to be loners who do not seek — or who even actively avoid — social stimulation. (E3) Assertiveness High scorers on this facet are dominant, forceful, and socially ascendant. They speak without hesitation and often become group leaders. Low scorers prefer to keep in the background and let others do the talking. (E4) Activity A high Activity score is seen in rapid tempo and vigorous movement, a sense of energy, and a need to keep busy. Active people lead fast-paced lives. Low scorers are more leisurely and relaxed in tempo, though they are not necessarily sluggish or lazy. (E5) Excitement-Seeking High scorers on this scale crave excitement and stimulation. They like bright colors and noisy environments. Excitement-Seeking is akin to some aspects of sensation seeking. Low scorers feel little need for thrills and prefer a lifestyle that high scorers might find boring. (E6) Positive Emotions The last facet of Extraversion assesses the tendency to experience positive emotions such as joy, happiness, love, and excitement. High scorers laugh easily and often. They are cheerful and ‘optimistic. Low scorers are not necessarily unhappy; they are merely less exuberant and high- spirited. Openness (0) Description of high scores: Individuals who are high in openness to experience tend to have an active imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, attentiveness to inner feelings, preference for variety, intellectual curiosity, and independence of judgment, Open individuals are curious about 9anf? Av both inner and outer worlds, and their lives are experientially richer than those of closed individuals. They are willing to entertain novel ideas and unconventional values, and they experience both positive and negative emotions more keenly than do closed individuals. Open individuals are willing to question authority and are prepared to entertain new ethical, social, and political ideas, Description of low scores: Individuals who score low on openness to experience tend to be conventional in behavior and conservative in outlook. They prefer the familiar to the novel, and their emotional responses are somewhat muted. Individuals with low scores tend to be socially and politically conservative; this is not be mistaken with intolerance or authoritarian aggression. 1, Fantasy Aesthetics Feelings Actions Ideas 6. Values (01) Fantasy Individuals who are open to fantasy have a vivid imagination and an active fantasy life. They daydream not simply as an escape, but as a way of creating an interesting inner world for themselves. They elaborate and develop their fantasies and believe that imagination contributes to arich and creative life, Low scorers are more prosaic and prefer to keep their minds on the task at hand. (02) Aesthetics High scorers on this scale have a deep appreciation for art and beauty. They are moved by poetry, absorbed in music, and intrigued by art, They need not have artistic talent, nor even necessarily what most people would consider good taste, but for many of them, their interest in the arts will lead them to develop a wider knowledge and appreciation than that of the average individual (03) Feelings ‘Openness to feelings implies receptivity to one's own inner feelings and emotions and the evaluation of emotion as an important part of life. High scorers experience deeper and more differentiated emotional states and feel both happiness and unhappiness more keenly than others %do. Low scorers have somewhat muted affects and do not believe that feeling states are of much importance. (04) Actions Openness is seen behaviorally in the willingness to try different activities, go to new places, or ceat unusual foods. High scorers on this scale prefer novelty and variety to familiarity and routine. ‘Over time, they may engage in a series of different hobbies. Low scorers find change difficult and prefer to stick with the tried-and-true, (O5) Ideas Intellectual curiosity is an aspect of Openness that has long been recognized. This trait is seen not only in an active pursuit of intellectual interests for their own sake, but also in open- mindedness and a willingness to consider new, perhaps unconventional, ideas. High scorers enjoy both philosophical arguments and brain teasers. Openness to ideas does not necessarily imply high intelligence, though it can contribute to the development of intellectual potential. Low scorers on the scale have limited curiosity and, if highly intelligent, narrowly focus their resources on limited topics. (06) Values Openness to Values assesses the readiness to reexamine social, political, and religious values. Closed individuals tend to accept authority and to honor tradition and, as a consequence, are generally conservative, regardless of political party affiliation. Openness to Values may be considered the opposite of dogmatism. Agreeableness (A) Description of high scores: Individuals who are high in agreeableness tend to be fundamentally altruistic. They tend to be sympathetic to others and eager to help them, and believe that others will be equally helpful in return. Description of low scores: Low scorers are typically disagreeable or antagonistic, egocentric, skeptical of others’ intentions, and competitive rather than cooperative. Are you easily led and submissive, or at the other end of the scale, suspicious and argumentative? This considers whether you are cooperative and a team player, or disagreeable and untrustworthy. 1. Trust 2. Straightforwardness agop e 0 geese ails 3. Altruism 4. Compliance ° 5. Modesty 6. Tender-Mindedness (Al) Trust High scorers are disposed to believe that others are honest and well-intentioned. Low scorers on this scale tend to be cynical and skeptical and to assume that others may be dishonest or dangerous, (A2) Straightforwardness: Individuals with high scores on s scale are frank, sincere, and ingenuous. Low scorers on this scale are more willing to manipulate others through flattery, craftiness, or deception, They view these tactics as necessary social skills and may regard more straightforward people as naive. A low scorer on this scale is more likely to stretch the truth or to be guarded in expressing his or her true feelings, but this should not be interpreted to mean that he or she is a dishonest or manipulative person. (A3) Altruism High scorers on the Altruism scale have an active concern for others' welfare as shown generosity, consideration of others, and a willingness to assist others in need of help. Low scorers on this scale are somewhat more self-centered and are reluctant to get involved in the problems of others. (A4) Compliance This facet of Agreeableness concems characteristic reactions to interpersonal conflict. The high scorer tends to defer to others, to inhibit aggression, and to forgive and forget. Compliant people are meck and mild. The low scorer is aggressive, prefers to compete rather than to cooperate, and has no reluctance to express anger when necessary. (AS) Modesty High scorers on this scale are humble and self-effacing, though they are not necessarily lacking in self-confidence or self-esteem. Low scorers believe they are superior people and may be considered conceited or arrogant by others. (AG) Tender-Mindednessa ae 0 wm” This facet scale measures attitudes of sympathy and concer for others, High scorers are moved by others’ needs and emphasize the human side of social policies, Low scorers are more hardheaded and less moved by sympathetic appeals to pity. They would consider themselves realists who make rational decisions based on cold logic. Conscientiousness (C) Description of high scores: Individuals who are high in conscientiousness are purposeful, strong-willed, and determined. They are typically involved in planning, organizing, and carrying out tasks. High conscientiousness is associated with academic and occupational achievement. High scorers are scrupulous, punctual, and reliable, Description of low scores: Low scorers are less exacting in applying moral principles, ‘and more lackadaisical in working toward their goals, 1. Competence Order Dutifulness Achievement Striving veer Self-Discipline 6. Deliberation (C1) Competence : ‘Competence refers to the sense that one is capable, sensible, prudent, and effective. High scorers on this scale feel well-prepared to deal with life. Low scorers have a lower opinion of their abilities and admit that they are often unprepared and inept. (C2) Order High scorers on this scale are neat, tidy, and well-organized, They keep things in their proper places. Low scorers are unable to get organized and describe themselves as unmethodical. (C3) Dutifulness High scorers on this scale adhere strictly to their ethical principles and scrupulously fulfill their ‘moral obligations as they understand them. Low scorers are more casual about such matters and le, ‘may be somewhat undependable or unre! (C4) Achievement Striving, Individuals who score high on this facet have high aspiration levels and work hard to achieve their goals, They are diligent and purposeful and have a sense of direction in life. Very highscorers, however, may invest too much in their careers and become workaholics. Low scorers are, lackadaisical and perhaps even lazy. They are not driven to succeed. They lack ambition and may seem aimless, but they are often perfectly content with their low levels of achievement. (C5) Self-Discipline High scorers are able to begin tasks and carry them through to completion, despite boredom or other distractions. They can motivate themselves to get the job done. Low scorers procrastinate in beginning chores and are easily discouraged and eager to quit. (C6) Deliberation Deliberation reflects the tendency to think carefully before acting. High scorers on this facet are cautious and deliberate. Low scorers are hasty and often speak or act without considering the consequences. At best, low scorers are spontaneous and able to make snap decisions when necessary.