TAT REPORT

Submitted in the Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for

the Award of Degree of

Master of Science in Psychology (Clinical)

Submitted By,

J George Andrew Paul

3MPCL-B

Register Number: 2337570

Department of Psychological Sciences

Introduction

According to Murray (1943), the TAT can be used by qualified interpreters to identify
important facets of personality, including prevailing drives, sentiments, emotions, complexes,
and conflicts. Its unique significance resides in its capacity to uncover hidden, suppressed
inclinations that the patient may be too unconscious to identify or too reluctant to
acknowledge

The initial idea for the Thematic Apperception exam came from an article written in
1935 by Henry Murray and Christina Morgan. Murray and his associates at the Harvard
Psychological Clinic first published the exam in 1938. Because it was founded on Murray's
Theory of Psychogenic Needs, it was formerly thought to be a psychological instrument that
might act as a "X-ray" of personality.

The Thematic Apperception Test comes in three versions: 1) The Children's

Apperception Test (CAT), which uses images of animals and is intended for kids between
the ages of three and 10. 2) Senior Apperception Test (SAT), which shows scenes that are
pertinent to the experiences of senior citizens and 3) The Tell Me A Story Test (TEMAS) is
a card game that highlights characters from minority communities, such as Asian
Americans, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans. Other variations exist, such as
tests intended to investigate certain issues including stress, child abuse, and frustration.

Dr. Uma Chowdhary used the original TAT cards made by Murray and McClelland's
recommendations to produce an Indian version of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT).
This version, which includes 14 cards overall, has been specially altered to cater to the
Indian populace. Twelve of these cards are copies of the original TAT, and two more have
been added to represent Indian culturally relevant themes such joint family dynamics and
religious imagination. The pictures show Indian characters dressed traditionally, but the
situations are still the same as they were in the original cards.
Description of the Test

There are fifteen cards with unclear visuals in the Indian version of the Thematic
Apperception Test (TAT). Examinees are required to compose a narrative based on
each image, describing the circumstances, the sentiments and ideas of the characters,
the scene's setting, and the resolution. Reactions can be evaluated qualitatively by
applying clinical judgment to decipher tale themes, or quantitatively by quantifying
elements like strength and frequency of needs. The TAT enhances other psychological
evaluations by offering deep, individual insights that can get past conscious
resistance. In contrast to projective drawings and inkblot tests such as the Rorschach,
the TAT has more structured stimuli and necessitates verbal responses that are
specific. It is one of the top seven psychological tests that professionals utilize since it
concentrates on real-world circumstances rather than core personality qualities.

Application of the Test

The TAT, which may evaluate both adults and children, is the second most used
projective exam. Its uses include assisting people in expressing their emotions, getting to
know someone better, identifying patterns in significant life events, testing for mental health
issues, analyzing criminal suspects, and screening possible hires. The TAT was first created
to evaluate patients in therapy by exposing prevailing urges, feelings, sentiments, complexes,
and personality conflicts. Since then, it has been helpful in psychological evaluation for a
variety of therapeutic frameworks.

Psychometric Properties

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) has been widely used for personality
assessment, but its reliability and validity have been subjects of debate. Studies have shown
varying results in adapting and validating TAT across cultures. In Pakistan, an adapted
version demonstrated low to moderate validity and reliability indices (Ali & Zeb, 2023). The
Personal Problem-Solving System for scoring TAT responses showed promising validity and
reliability in assessing problem-solving processes (Ronan et al., 1993). The Social Cognition
and Object Relations Scale-Global rating method (SCORS-G) exhibited high interrater
reliability and good internal consistency when applied to TAT narratives, revealing a three-
component structure with meaningful relationships to various psychological measures (Stein
et al., 2012). Despite criticisms regarding internal consistency and the complexity of motive-
behavior relationships, a new theory of motivation has provided a conceptual foundation for
thematic apperceptive measurement, potentially resolving longstanding issues and renewing
interest in the method (Atkinson, 1992).

Research on the reliability and validity of projective tests like the Thematic
Apperception Test (TAT) has shown mixed results. A Pakistani adaptation of the TAT
demonstrated low reliability and validity indices, attributed to the projective nature of the test
(Faiza Ali & Roomana Zeb, 2023). Similarly, a review of TAT research over a decade
revealed generally pessimistic findings regarding its validity and reliability, partly due to the
wide variety of stimulus materials used (Keiser & Prather, 1990). However, adaptations of
other psychological tests in Indian languages have shown promise. The Hindi version of the
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (H-MoCA) demonstrated good internal consistency and high
test-retest reliability (Gupta et al., 2019). Likewise, the Bengali version of the Reading the
Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET-R) showed moderate internal consistency and test-retest
reliability, as well as the ability to discriminate between clinical and healthy populations
(Chakrabarty et al., 2021).

Test Administration Guidelines

11 cards are to be presented to the patient one after the other. The gender cards need
to presented accordingly. The patient is asked to describe a story for what is presented in the
card. They are expected to give it in the form of the narrative who all are there, what is
happening right now, what might have happened and what will happen. The examiner is
supposed to note down the narrative in verbatim.
Scoring Guidelines

The administrator gathers stories from the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and
groups them according to domains such major themes, core characters, environment, figures,
primary needs, significant conflicts, fears, defense mechanisms, super-ego severity, and ego
integration. Every card corresponds to a particular need, and the environment shapes these
requirements. The story's main character or characters are named. Either optimistic or
pessimistic story endings are analyzed and scored based on how well they capture the hero's
qualities and the forces at play in the setting. The content, tone, and subject behavior are the
main points of interpretation. The tale is described in depth at the descriptive level,
relationships between causes and effects are examined at the interpretative level, and the
hierarchy of needs and environmental influences are evaluated at the diagnostic level.

Proforma of the participant

● Name: SS ● Date of Birth: 02/09/2001 ● Languages Known: English, Hindi ●

Native Language: Hindi ● Date of Testing: 7/08/24
● Education: Post Graduation
● Occupation: Student

Behavioral Observation:
During the evaluation, SS exhibited age appropriate communication skills. Rapport was
established successfully. He was calm and composed during the assessment. He was very
cooperative. He did not have any questions during the assessment.

Result

Card1

A boy who lives in a village, is a very good in playing instruments, he is known for
his sweet voice but his father has a huge loan to pay, so one day he found there is a music
contest which announces a huge cash prize, but the competition is playing of sitar. The boy
didn’t know how to play a sitar. He knew a place where there is master who teaches how to
play sitar, but he didn’t had money. So, he decided to learn sitar by just observing it from a
distance. With his determination and will power to help his father, he just decided to go the
competition and finally in the plays the sitar and wins the cash prize and paid his father’s
loan. His father was very proud and gave him a hug.

Card 2

In the village there is going to be a thunderstorm, the people started to move to their
nearby village because of the storm that is going to come , they started to move with their
luggage but Lata, dhushrag, and Komal decided not move from their village without leaving
their injured cows , so they decided to fight with the coming storm together and be resilient,
after a lot of efforts they finally were able to survive the storm and was happy to see each
other safe.

Card 3

Sheetal’s father is not there in this world but still her mother wants her daughter to get
educated. Sheetal misses her father seeing his photo album and cries as her father died in a
car accident, Sheetal wants to join police forces like father and it was the dream of his father
to see her in police uniform when she grows up, but Sheetal gets very hopeless about herself
as he is not there to support her , her mother comes and holds Sheetal’s face and tells her that
she there to support her and will be there for her and encourages her to be confident and not
to loose hope.

Card 4

Rani and Mohan are newly married couples and have recently got married, her wife
tries to manage her newly married life, does all the chores and takes care of all the family
member but her in laws after a week starts to torture her for dowry and also beats her, this is
not known to her husband, one day she questions herself as to what is the point of being so
educated when she is not able to stand for herself and that day she decides to stand for
herself, she tells everything to her husband and also told that she will file a police complaint
against his family members, after telling all this to her husband she feels that her husband
will not support her but to her astonishment he not only decides to support her but also went
to file a case against his own family members, ranis trust on her husband increases more and
feels happy .

Card 5

There is a rehearsal which is coming up next week, Neetal and Sumit are going to
portray the role of a couple and their love story but when she goes to her home, on her way
she finds two couples fighting the husband was beating his wife after getting dunked, she
also finds some men supporting this act stating that it is a way to control the women’s
otherwise they will get out of their hands, Neetal overhears all their conversations and
decides to raise her voice through the act that they decided to play. She discussed with all her
theatre group members and decides to change the theme from love story to spreading of
awareness about domestic violence in marriage. They enacted this in front of the entire
village and speeded awareness and also talked about the laws that exist, through this, the
women who was beaten last night, she went to police station to complain against her husband
and raised her voice.
Ultimately Neetal and Sumit were happy about the changes they bought in the society.

Card 6

The village looks quite peaceful and energetic in the morning but when the dawn
comes the entire pond area of the village becomes silent they say that at night ghost lingers
here and mostly attacks the travellers , once Dhruv was going to the village for his survey
project and it was all dark, the thief’s decided to take all the luggage of Dhruv and scare him,
but little did they knew that Dhruv is a very educated man and doesn’t believe in ghosts,
when the thief’s tried to scare Dhruv, instead of being scared he started chasing the thief’s in
ghost costumes and finally catches the thief’s and told the truth to the entire village.

Card 7

Kishan is a father of Lalita who is trying to console her daughter, who is not able to
write her exams as she is not well. Her father is hugging her and constantly encourages her
not to give up, Lalita was losing hopes and her mother was desperate to marry her if she
doesn’t clear this exam, as last time also she was not able to clear her exams, because of her
father’s encouragement she decides to crack the exam. She sits for the exam and finally she
clears it.

Card 7 (Additional)

Last night Savita had a night mare that her husband would go through and accident,
goddess herself appeared in her dreams. The next morning, she starts to resist her husband to
go to the office and her husband was not ready to listen to her. She even told her husband
about the dream but her husband doesn’t believe her and goes, in the evening she gets a news
from an unknown person calling her and saying that your husband had an accident, she runs
but was not able to save her husband.

Card 8

After Miras husband’s death she loses her sanity, the village people decides to send
her to the forests, as she will be a bad impact on their children’s but before going she makes a
prediction that she wont leave alone she wants to take everyone along with her as there will
be thunderstorm soon and they all will die but no one believes her and everyone starts to
throw stones at her, eventually she leaves the village, the next day thunderstorms happens
and rain happens where half of the village people dies and the rest of the village people who
survives call Mira again in their village and now treats her as goddess because every
prediction of her comes true.

Card 9

Elamati is a very intelligent women who was pushed into a red-light area by her own
parents so that they can earn money through her. she knew that she doesn’t feel good there,
but had no option, one day she decides to sleep naked and call the other person and enact in
front of their client as if she has HIV, the client got really scared and told the dealer that she
has HIV, and the dealer tells her to leave that place, she goes to another city and works in a
book shop and in her free time reads book.

Card 10

Mahim lost his wife and now he has no one to be with he has lost all his purpose and
willingness to live, he always sits at his window side and remembers his happy moments
with her and cries, one day he decides to commit suicide and jump from balcony, suddenly he
saw a cat pulling his pants from one corner and not leaving him, he remembers the cat who
he saved from a bunch of dogs last week, the entire focus of Mahim changes from
committing suicide to petting the cat, the very moment he decides to live his life again with
this cat, the cat gives him hope to live his life again.

Interpretation

Card 1:

1. Card Description:
 ● Descriptive Level: A boy skilled in music learns to play the sitar by observing from a
distance due to a lack of funds. He participates in a music contest focused on sitar,
wins the cash prize, and uses it to pay off his father's loan.
● Interpretive Level: The card reflects themes of determination, resourcefulness, and
familial responsibility. The boy’s ability to overcome financial barriers through self-
taught skills demonstrates his commitment to helping his family.
● Diagnostic Level: Highlights the boy’s dedication and resilience. His actions reveal a
strong sense of duty and the capability to find solutions to financial problems.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: The boy.

● Age: Teenager or young adult.
● Sex: Male.
● Vocation: Musician (implied).
● Interests: Music, supporting his family.
● Traits: Determined, resourceful, ambitious.
● Abilities: Musical talent, observational learning.
● Body/Self-Image: Views himself as capable and dedicated despite financial
constraints.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: High – driven by the goal of winning the contest and resolving
financial issues.
● Material Press: High – motivated by the need to alleviate his family’s financial
burden.
● Nurturance Press: High – focused on supporting his father and family.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

● Introduced: The sitar, the music contest, and the financial struggle.
● Omitted: Detailed background of the boy’s family beyond financial issues.
5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: The boy sees the environment as a set of challenges to be
overcome through innovation and persistence. His interactions are characterized by a
proactive approach to solving problems.

6. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: The father’s financial difficulty drives the boy’s actions.
● Contemporary Figures: Music master and contest participants. The boy’s interaction
with the master is indirect due to financial constraints.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: The primary conflict is the boy’s need to quickly learn the sitar and win the
contest to resolve his father’s financial problems.

8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Financial strain and the challenge of mastering a new skill under pressure.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Determination and creative problem-solving, as opposed to avoidance or

denial.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Internal sense of responsibility and duty to alleviate family hardship.

11. Integration of the Ego:

● Responses: The boy effectively uses his resources and skills to meet his goals,
demonstrating structured and rational thinking.

12. Intelligence:
 ● Level: Practical intelligence, demonstrated by his ability to learn through observation
and achieve his goal.

Card 2:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Lata, Dhushrag, and Komal choose to stay and protect their injured
cows during an impending thunderstorm while others flee.
 ●
Interpretive The story reflects themes of bravery, responsibility, and communal
solidarity. The characters’ decision to stay showcases their commitment and
resilience.
● Diagnostic Level: Shows their capacity for endurance and willingness to confront
adversity for the sake of their animals.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Lata, Dhushrag, and Komal.

● Age: Adults.
● Sex: Mixed (Lata is female; Dhushrag and Komal are male).
● Vocation: Not specified.
● Interests: Caring for animals, communal duty.
● Traits: Resilient, responsible, courageous.
● Abilities: Crisis management, perseverance.
● Body/Self-Image: They view themselves as protectors and caretakers, committed to
their duties.

3. Main Needs:

● Safety Press: High – focused on protecting their animals from the storm.
● Nurturance Press: High – dedicated to the care of their injured cows.
● Affiliation Press: Moderate – involves shared responsibility and mutual support.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

● Introduced: The storm, the injured cows, and the decision to stay.
● Omitted: Detailed background on why others choose to flee.

5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: The environment is perceived as a threat, but they respond
with resilience and determination to protect their animals.
 ● Level:
6. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: None depicted.

Contemporary Figures: Villagers who flee due to the storm. Their decision contrasts
with the heroes’ choice to stay.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: The challenge of balancing personal safety with the responsibility to protect
their injured cows during a storm.

8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Fear of the storm and the potential harm to themselves and their animals.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Resilience and communal support, rather than avoidance or fear.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Internal moral duty and sense of responsibility.

11. Integration of the Ego:

● Responses: Effective and purposeful response to crisis, showing structured and

rational decision-making.

12. Intelligence:

● Level: Practical intelligence, shown by their crisis management and endurance.

 ●
Card 3:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Sheetal, grieving her father’s death, is encouraged by her mother to
pursue her dream of joining the police force despite feeling hopeless.

Interpretive Themes of grief, aspiration, and maternal support. The story highlights
the struggle to overcome personal loss and honor a loved one’s dream.
● Diagnostic Level: Reveals Sheetal’s emotional struggle and the influence of her
mother’s encouragement in her pursuit of a goal.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Sheetal.

● Age: Young adult.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Student aspiring to join the police force.
● Interests: Law enforcement, honoring her father’s memory.
● Traits: Determined, emotionally driven.
● Abilities: Academic potential, perseverance.
● Body/Self-Image: Struggles with grief but is motivated by her father’s memory and
her own aspirations.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: High – driven by the goal of succeeding in her studies and joining
the police.
● Affiliation Press: Moderate – seeks support from her mother.
● Self-Understanding Press: High – involves understanding her role and aspirations
despite her father’s absence.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

 ● Level:
● Introduced: The father’s memory, the aspiration to join the police force, and the
supportive mother.
● Omitted: Specific details about Sheetal’s peers or academic challenges.

5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: Sheetal sees her environment as supportive due to her
mother’s encouragement, despite her personal grief.

6. Figures and Reactions:

Parental Figures: The mother is supportive and encouraging.

● Contemporary Figures: Peers are not explicitly mentioned.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: Balancing the emotional impact of her father’s death with the determination
to pursue her career goals.

8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Grief from her father’s death and the pressure to achieve her aspirations.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Motivation through personal and familial goals, rather than avoidance or
denial.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Internal conflict and emotional strain from her father’s death.

11. Integration of the Ego:

 ●
● Responses: Effective response to emotional challenges and pursuit of goals with
structured thinking.

12. Intelligence:

● Level: Emotional and intellectual intelligence in managing grief and pursuing goals.

Card 4:

1. Card Description:

Descriptive Rani, a newly married woman, faces dowry demands and abuse from
her in-laws. She decides to stand up for herself, report the abuse, and is supported by
her husband in filing a complaint.
● Interpretive Level: Themes of empowerment, justice, and personal resilience. The
story highlights Rani’s courage in confronting injustice and her husband’s support.
● Diagnostic Level: Reveals Rani’s internal conflict between self-respect and marital
abuse, and her subsequent empowerment through confrontation and support.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Rani.

● Age: Young adult.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Not specified.
● Interests: Personal dignity, justice.
● Traits: Brave, assertive, resilient.
● Abilities: Advocacy, confrontation.
● Body/Self-Image: Struggles with self-esteem due to abuse but seeks to assert her
rights.
 ● Level:
3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: High – driven by the need to address abuse and stand up for her
rights.
● Affiliation Press: Moderate – seeks support from her husband and a sense of justice.
● Safety Press: High – focused on escaping abusive situations and ensuring safety.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

● Introduced: Dowry demands, abuse, supportive husband.

● Omitted: Details of Rani’s life before marriage or specifics about in-laws’ behavior.

5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: Rani views her environment as oppressive and unjust but
takes decisive action to change it.
6. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: None depicted.

● Contemporary Figures: In-laws and husband. Her interactions involve confrontation
and seeking support.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: The struggle to stand up against dowry demands and abuse within the

marital home. 8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Physical abuse, emotional distress, and the challenge of confronting her in-
laws.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Assertiveness and seeking justice, as opposed to resignation or denial.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Perceived as unjust abuse, driving Rani to take action.

11. Integration of the Ego:

● Responses: Rani’s structured response to abuse and effective pursuit of justice show
rational problem-solving.

12. Intelligence:

● Level: Emotional intelligence and assertiveness in managing marital issues and

seeking support.

Card 5:
1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Neetal and Sumit decide to change their theatre performance from
a love story to raising awareness about domestic violence after witnessing abuse and
hearing harmful justifications for it.
● Interpretive Level: Themes of social responsibility, advocacy, and using creative
platforms to address societal issues. The story demonstrates the power of theatre to
influence and educate.
● Diagnostic Level: Reveals Neetal’s commitment to social justice and her proactive
approach to addressing domestic violence.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Neetal.

● Age: Young adult.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Actress.
● Interests: Theatre, social advocacy.
● Traits: Socially conscious, proactive, empathetic.
● Abilities: Artistic skills, advocacy through performance.
● Body/Self-Image: Sees herself as an agent of change through her creative work.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: Moderate – driven by the goal of influencing societal attitudes

through theatre.
● Affiliation Press: Moderate – seeks to connect with and educate the community.
● Nurturance Press: High – focused on raising awareness and supporting victims of
domestic violence.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

● Introduced: The theatre performance, domestic violence awareness, and community

reactions.
 ● Omitted: Details about the initial performance theme or specific reactions of other
community members.

5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: Neetal views her environment as a platform for social
change and engages in proactive measures to address societal issues.

6. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: None depicted.

● Contemporary Figures: Theatre group members and community members. Interaction
involves collaboration and advocacy.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: The decision to shift the focus of their performance to address domestic
violence and challenge societal norms.

8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Social injustice and the challenge of raising awareness in a potentially

resistant community.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Advocacy through performance and education, rather than avoidance or

denial.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Perceived societal issues and the drive to address them through creative
means.

11. Integration of the Ego:

 ● Responses: Neetal’s structured approach to changing the performance and addressing
domestic violence shows rational problem-solving and dedication.

12. Intelligence:

● Level: Creative and social intelligence in using theatre as a tool for advocacy.

Card 6:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Dhruv, an educated man, encounters thieves trying to scare him
with ghost costumes while he is traveling at night. He chases and captures them,
revealing their deception to the village.
● Interpretive Level: Themes of bravery, rationality, and exposing deception. The story
reflects Dhruv’s courage and critical thinking.
● Diagnostic Level: Demonstrates Dhruv’s ability to remain calm and use his intellect to
handle dangerous situations.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Dhruv.

● Age: Adult.
● Sex: Male.
● Vocation: Educated professional (implied).
● Interests: Rational problem-solving, truth.
● Traits: Brave, rational, resourceful.
● Abilities: Critical thinking, courage.
● Body/Self-Image: Views himself as capable and rational, unafraid of superstitions.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: Moderate – focused on exposing the thieves and resolving the
situation.
● Safety Press: High – concerned with personal safety and the safety of others.
 ● Autonomy Press: Moderate – acts independently to address the threat.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

● Introduced: Thieves, ghost costumes, the village pond.

● Omitted: Detailed background on Dhruv’s journey or reasons for the thieves’ actions.

5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: Dhruv sees the environment as a challenge to be managed

with rationality and bravery.

6. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: None depicted.

● Contemporary Figures: Thieves and village. Dhruv interacts with the thieves and the
community to reveal the truth.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: The challenge of confronting thieves and exposing their deception while
navigating the superstitions of the village.

8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Fear of the thieves and the superstitious environment.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Rationality and bravery, as opposed to fear or avoidance.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Perceived danger and the need to address deception.

11. Integration of the Ego:

 ● Responses: Dhruv’s effective response to the situation shows rational problem-solving
and courage.

12. Intelligence:

● Level: High rational and problem-solving intelligence, demonstrated by his handling

of the situation.

Card 7:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Kishan comforts his daughter Lalita, who is struggling with her
exams due to illness and pressure from her mother to marry if she fails. Kishan’s
encouragement helps Lalita pass her exam.
● Interpretive Level: Themes of parental support, academic pressure, and personal
resilience. The story highlights the role of encouragement in overcoming challenges.
● Diagnostic Level: Shows Lalita’s emotional struggles and the significant impact of
parental support on her academic success.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Lalita.

● Age: Young adult or teenager.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Student.
● Interests: Education, family support.
● Traits: Determined, emotionally affected by external pressures.
● Abilities: Academic potential, resilience.
● Body/Self-Image: Struggles with self-esteem due to academic challenges and family
pressure but is supported by her father.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: High – motivated by the need to succeed in her exams.

 ● Affiliation Press: Moderate – seeks parental support and understanding.
● Safety Press: Moderate – concerns about future consequences if she fails.

4. Figures, Objects, or Circumstances:

● Introduced: Exam pressures, parental expectations, Kishan’s support.

● Omitted: Detailed information about Lalita’s health or academic difficulties.

5. Conception of Environment:

● Perception and Interaction: Lalita perceives her environment as challenging due to

academic pressures and family expectations but is reassured by her father’s support.

6. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: Kishan provides support and encouragement.

● Contemporary Figures: Mother’s pressure is noted, but her role is more passive in the
story.
● Junior Figures: None depicted.

7. Significant Conflict:

● Conflict: Balancing academic pressures with family expectations and personal health
challenges.

8. Nature of Anxiety:

● Sources: Academic pressure, family expectations, and health concerns.

9. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Mechanism: Seeking support and encouragement from a parental figure, rather than
avoidance or denial.

10. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment: Fear of failure and its consequences on her future and family
expectations.
11. Integration of the Ego:

● Responses: Lalita’s response to academic challenges is supported by Kishan’s

encouragement, showing structured problem-solving and emotional support.

12. Intelligence:

● Level: Academic and emotional intelligence in handling stress and utilizing support.

Card 7 (Additional):

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Savita has a nightmare predicting her husband’s accident. Despite
her warnings, her husband ignores her, goes to work, and later dies in the accident.
● Interpretive Level: The story explores themes of fear, helplessness, intuition versus
rationality, and the limits of control over fate.
● Diagnostic Level: Reflects Savita's deep anxiety about losing her husband, possibly
indicating a heightened sense of powerlessness and fear of loss.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Savita.

● Age: Adult.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Not specified, likely a homemaker.
● Interests: Family well-being, particularly concerned with her husband’s safety.
● Traits: Anxious, fearful, intuitive, protective.
● Abilities: Limited ability to influence or prevent the outcome, relies on intuition and
emotional responses.
● Body/Self-Image: Possibly sees herself as powerless or inadequate in protecting her
loved ones.

3. Main Needs:
 ● Affiliation Press: High – desire to protect and be close to her husband.
● Security Press: High – anxiety about safety and well-being of loved ones.
● Achievement Press: Low – the story does not focus on personal achievements.

4. Conception of Environment:

● Savita perceives the environment as threatening and beyond her control. Her efforts to
influence events (by warning her husband) are ineffective, reinforcing her sense of
helplessness.

5. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: Not present or mentioned.

● Contemporary Figures: Her husband, who dismisses her concerns, possibly indicating
a lack of communication or understanding.
● Junior Figures: Not present.
● Significant Conflict: The conflict between Savita’s intuition and her husband’s
rational disbelief, leading to tragedy.

6. Nature of Anxiety:

● Source: Fear of losing her husband and the powerlessness to prevent it.
● Type: Anxiety related to physical harm (husband’s safety), deprivation (loss of
husband), and potential disapproval (husband not taking her seriously).

7. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Projection: Savita projects her fears into her dream and believes it to be a
premonition.
● Rationalization: Her attempt to convince her husband might reflect a need to
rationalize her fear.

8. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment Perception: Immediate and unjust, as Savita feels helpless despite her
efforts to prevent the accident. The outcome reinforces her sense of inadequacy.
9. Integration of the Ego:

● Adequacy of Response: Inadequate; Savita’s actions, driven by fear and intuition, fail
to change the outcome.
● Thought Process: Structured but emotionally driven; the story follows a logical
sequence but is deeply rooted in fear and anxiety.

10. Intelligence:

● Indicated Level: Average, with a strong emotional component. Savita's actions are
driven by intuition rather than logical problem-solving.

Card 8:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: After her husband’s death, Mira loses her sanity, predicts a storm
that will destroy the village, is ostracized, but her prophecy comes true, leading the
villagers to revere her as a goddess.
● Interpretive Level: The story delves into themes of grief, madness, social rejection,
and eventual vindication. It explores the fine line between sanity and insanity, and
how societal attitudes can shift drastically based on circumstances.
● Diagnostic Level: Reflects Mira's descent into madness due to grief and the social
alienation that comes with it. Her ultimate vindication suggests unresolved feelings of
powerlessness and a desire for recognition or control.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Mira.

● Age: Adult.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Not specified, possibly a widow or homemaker.
● Interests: Coping with grief, possibly seeking validation or control.
● Traits: Grief-stricken, prophetic (in the villagers' view), socially isolated.
 ● Abilities: Limited rational thinking due to grief; perceived as having prophetic
abilities.
● Body/Self-Image: Likely sees herself as misunderstood and powerless, but with an
inner conviction of being right.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: Low – not focused on personal achievements but rather on

survival and coping.
● Affiliation Press: Low – she is ostracized by the village.
● Recognition Press: High – ultimately seeks validation, even if through fear or
reverence.

4. Conception of Environment:

● Mira perceives the environment as hostile and rejecting. However, she also sees it as
predictable in its doom, which gives her a sense of control or foresight.

5. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: Not present or mentioned.

● Contemporary Figures: The villagers, who reject her and later revere her, reflecting
the fickleness of societal judgment.
● Junior Figures: Not present.
● Significant Conflict: The conflict between Mira’s prophetic vision and the villagers'
disbelief, leading to her ostracization and eventual vindication.

6. Nature of Anxiety:

● Source: Social rejection, fear of loss, and eventual desire for vindication.
● Type: Anxiety related to deprivation (loss of husband, social rejection) and
disapproval (ostracization by the villagers).

7. Main Defense Mechanism:

 ● Projection: Mira projects her inner turmoil onto the external environment, predicting
disaster.
● Denial: Possible denial of her mental state by focusing on the prophecy rather than her
grief.

8. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment Perception: Initially severe and unjust, as she is punished by the villagers'
rejection. Later, this shifts to a form of unjust validation when they revere her,
indicating fluctuating perceptions of self-worth.

9. Integration of the Ego:

● Adequacy of Response: Inadequate; Mira’s coping mechanisms are rooted in delusion

and are only validated by external events, not through healthy resolution of her grief.
 ●
Thought Process: Bizarre and unstructured, reflecting a break from reality due to grief
and social isolation.

10. Intelligence:

● Indicated Level: Difficult to assess; Mira’s actions are driven by emotional and
irrational responses, suggesting impaired cognitive functioning due to grief.

Card 9:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: Elamati, forced into prostitution by her parents, uses a clever ruse
to escape the red-light district. She pretends to have HIV to scare away clients,
leading her to be expelled and start a new life in a bookshop.
● Interpretive Level: The story highlights themes of resilience, resourcefulness, and the
struggle for autonomy. It explores the idea of reclaiming control over one's life despite
severe constraints.
● Diagnostic Level: Elamati’s actions reflect a deep need for escape from exploitation
and a desire for self-respect and a new identity.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Elamati.

● Age: Adult.
● Sex: Female.
● Vocation: Initially forced into prostitution, later works in a bookshop.
● Interests: Reading and learning (as indicated by her bookshop job).
● Traits: Intelligent, resourceful, determined, and courageous.
● Abilities: Uses intelligence and ingenuity to escape her circumstances.
 ●
● Body/Self-Image: Likely views herself as a survivor and is determined to redefine her
identity away from exploitation.

3. Main Needs:

Achievement Press: High – strives for a better life and personal dignity.
● Affiliation Press: Moderate – seeks a safe and respectable environment.
● Security Press: High – needs safety and freedom from exploitation.

4. Conception of Environment:

● Elamati sees her environment as oppressive and dangerous but leverages her
intelligence to manipulate the situation and escape. Her new environment (the
bookshop) symbolizes safety and a fresh start.

5. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: Her parents are exploitative and push her into prostitution.
● Contemporary Figures: Clients and dealers in the red-light district, whom she
manipulates to escape.
● Junior Figures: Not present.
● Significant Conflict: The conflict between Elamati’s need to escape exploitation and
her actual circumstances.

6. Nature of Anxiety:

● Source: Fear of ongoing exploitation and lack of autonomy.

● Type: Anxiety related to deprivation (freedom and dignity) and disapproval (from her
own actions and societal judgment).

7. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Rationalization: Elamati rationalizes her extreme action (pretending to have HIV) as a

necessary means to escape her dire situation.
 ●
● Projection: Projects fear of disease to scare the clients and the dealer.

8. Severity of the Superego:

● Punishment Perception: Not directly addressed; however, the initial situation reflects
harsh punishment by her parents. The escape strategy might reflect a form of self-
punishment or self-reproach.

9. Integration of the Ego:

Adequacy of Response: Adequate; Elamati’s response to her exploitation is

innovative and effective, leading to a positive change in her life.
● Thought Process: Structured and strategic; uses intelligence to devise a plan for
escaping exploitation.

10. Intelligence:

● Indicated Level: High; Elamati’s strategic thinking and problem-solving skills are
evident in her plan to escape the red-light district.

Card 10:

1. Card Description:

● Descriptive Level: After his wife’s death, Mahim is overwhelmed by grief and
considers suicide. The intervention of a cat, which he had previously saved, shifts his
focus from suicide to caring for the cat, giving him renewed hope.
● Interpretive Level: The story explores themes of grief, hope, and the healing power of
caring relationships. It highlights how a small act of kindness can profoundly impact
one’s perspective on life.
 ●
● Diagnostic Level: Reflects deep grief and suicidal ideation, but also the capacity for
emotional healing and finding purpose through caring for another being.

2. Hero Analysis:

● Main Hero: Mahim.

● Age: Adult.
● Sex: Male.
● Vocation: Not specified; appears to be retired or not working.
● Interests: Reminiscing about his wife, caring for the cat.
● Traits: Grieving, isolated, eventually compassionate and hopeful.
● Abilities: Capable of emotional transformation and empathy.

Body/Self-Image: Initially sees himself as helpless and purposeless but gradually

reclaims a sense of purpose through the cat.

3. Main Needs:

● Achievement Press: Low – not focused on achievement but on personal recovery.

● Affiliation Press: Moderate – seeks connection and purpose after loss.
● Security Press: Moderate – needs emotional stability and purpose.

4. Conception of Environment:

● Mahim initially perceives his environment as bleak and devoid of meaning. The cat’s
presence transforms his perception, bringing a sense of connection and purpose.

5. Figures and Reactions:

● Parental Figures: Not present.

● Contemporary Figures: The cat, which becomes a source of emotional support.
● Junior Figures: Not present.
● Significant Conflict: The internal conflict between grief and the decision to live
versus the despair that leads to suicidal thoughts.
 ●
6. Nature of Anxiety:

● Source: Fear of continued emotional suffering and loss of purpose.

● Type: Anxiety related to deprivation (loss of wife and meaning in life) and potential
harm (suicide).

7. Main Defense Mechanism:

● Reaction Formation: Mahim’s shift from contemplating suicide to nurturing the cat
represents a transformation from negative to positive coping.
● Projection: The cat’s need for care might symbolize Mahim’s own need for emotional
support.

8. Severity of the Superego:

Punishment Perception: The punishment of grief and loss is perceived as severe and
overwhelming. The intervention by the cat provides a reprieve from this harsh self-
punishment.

9. Integration of the Ego:

● Adequacy of Response: Adequate; Mahim’s response shifts from self-destructive to

life-affirming, showing emotional recovery and adaptive coping.
● Thought Process: Initially unstructured and despairing, but becomes more structured
and purposeful as he focuses on caring for the cat.

10. Intelligence:

● Indicated Level: Average; the emotional insight and change in perspective show an
ability to adapt and find new meaning in life despite severe loss.
 ●
Case Summary

SS, a 22-year-old graduate student, showed excellent collaboration and age-

appropriate communication skills throughout the evaluation. His thoughtful answers to the
storytelling cards demonstrated his awareness of numerous social subjects and his ideals.

For the first card, SS told the tale of a young man who, in spite of his lack of
resources, learns how to play the sitar by watching others and proceeds to win a music
competition in order to support his father. This story highlights SS's admiration for tenacity,
ingenuity, and familial responsibilities while highlighting his understanding of how to
overcome challenges with creativity.

In the second card, SS told the story of three villagers who, in the midst of a
thunderstorm, decide to stay and guard their hurt cows while others run away. This narrative
demonstrates SS's beliefs about bravery, accountability, and unity while also highlighting his
admiration for resiliency and group support under trying circumstances.
 The third card told the tale of Sheetal, who is inspired by her mother to follow her
dream of becoming a police officer even though she is still grieving the loss of her father.
SS's reaction illustrates his comprehension of the relationship between aspiration and
sadness as well as the importance of family support in helping individuals reach their
objectives.

On the fourth card, SS related the tale of Rani, a recentlywed who defies her in-laws'
mistreatment and dowry demands and eventually wins her husband's support. This story
demonstrates SS's viewpoint on justice, empowerment, and individual resiliency while
emphasizing the significance of confronting and denouncing abuse and getting help.

Similar themes are explored in the consequent cards

SS's responses demonstrate a deep understanding of complex social issues and

personal values, reflecting his cognitive and emotional maturity. His ability to articulate and
analyze these themes suggests a well-developed capacity for empathy, resilience, and critical
thinking.

Impression and Recommendation

The patient’s TAT stories highlight themes of determination, responsibility, and

personal growth. They demonstrate resilience and proactive problem-solving, though they
also struggle with anxiety related to familial expectations, personal loss, and societal
pressures. The patient shows a capacity for rational thinking and emotional insight but
experiences moments of helplessness and perceived inadequacy.

The patient should focus on strengthening their coping strategies by incorporating

mindfulness and stress management techniques into their routine. Engaging in cognitive-
behavioral therapy (CBT) can help address anxiety and perfectionistic tendencies, while
mindfulness practices will assist in managing emotional turbulence. Enhancing self-esteem
through activities that celebrate personal achievements is also important for fostering a
positive self-image. If grief remains a significant issue, seeking grief counseling and joining
support groups can provide additional comfort and understanding. Additionally, developing
conflict resolution skills and assertiveness training will improve their ability to handle
interpersonal and societal challenges effectively. These approaches will help the patient build
on their strengths and navigate difficulties with greater resilience and confidence.
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