The Rorschach Test

Review of Principles and Practice of the Rorschach Personality Test. By W. Mons. (Pp. 164. 12s. 6d.) London: Faber and Faber.

British Medical Journal, 29 January 1949, pp. 184-5

Though the Rorschach test has become firmly established and is widely used in Britain, no really elementary textbook has been published until now, and the test remains largely in the hands of the expert. One unfortunate result of this is that its potentialities are not always realized as fully as they might be. The tester is seldom a clinician and so does not select his subjects, and the clinician does not know how to select those patients for whom the test can most appropriately be used. Both classes of reader will welcome this book. Dr. Mons gives an account of the theoretical basis and of the actual technique of the test, and provides the clinician with information about the indications for its use and about its limitations. He emphasizes the fact that this is an introduction only; he is writing for beginners, and does not take for granted in his readers any previous acquaintance with the test. He has evolved his own technique of interpretation, and this he describes minutely and clearly. The reader will have little difficulty in following the instructions, and will find that most of his difficulties and questions have been answered. Although for so small a book it is remarkably comprehensive, it is by no means an exhaustive description of all the theories and techniques which have grown up round the Rorschach test, especially in recent years. It is rather an account of the views and practice of one exponent, evolved by him from an extensive acquaintance with the literature and wide personal experience. It is to be recommended as a most readable introduction to the subject.