Historical psychology: concepts, methods, and applications

Psychological Testing

The science of Psychology has evolved over time and certain studies have been instrumental in that evolution. Two of the more famous studies that have revolutionized the field were the Rorschach inkblot study of 1942, and the study in 1962 by Calhoun on the effects of overcrowding. These two scientific studies changed the field of psychology and our understanding of human behavior.

The Rorschach inkblot test is one of the most famous studies in the history of Psychology. As stated in the published study, "the experiment consists in the interpretation of accidental forms, that is, of non-specific forms." (Rorschach, 1951, p. 15) Inkblots are created by dripping ink on a piece of paper and then folding the paper. The researchers maintain that it is important that the resulting inkblot fulfill certain requirements, but most importantly the inkblot must be symmetrical. The inkblots are then shown to the subject and they are asked "what might this be?" (Rorschach, 1951, p. 17) Their answers are recorded, and the subjects perception of the inkblot is analyzed. It is important to state that what is analyzed in not the subject's interpretation of the inkblot, but their perception of it.

When introduced, this test became one of the basic tests performed by psychologists, and it was believed that a persons personality traits could be interpreted through the application of this test. To this day the test is still considered a valid form of evaluation, especially among correctional psychologists, forensic psychologists, and children's psychologists. However, critics claim the problem with this test is that it's evaluation of the subject's responses are highly subjective. In other words, the subject must interpret the inkblot, while the researcher must interpret the subject's response in light of what the researcher has interpreted the inkblot to represent. This is why if this study were presented today, many psychologists would reject it as too subjective and without a measurable result.

Another scientific study which has had a great impact on the field of Psychology was J.B. Calhoun's 1962 study involving the effect of overcrowding on society. In this study, Calhoun researched the effects of allowing populations of rats to reproduce as much as the could, but within a confined space, and with a limited amount of resources. The study demonstrated that when the density of rats reached a certain point, there was a complete breakdown of normal society. (Calhoun, 1962) Simply put, when the rats became overpopulated, they began to behave in anti-social and unnatural ways. When this study was release in 1962, it had an incredible effect of society as a whole. This led people to believe they knew the reasons why crowded urban areas were filled with crime, riots, and other anti-social behaviors. ("Letting the Rat out of the Bag") This study became the impetus for the redesign of buildings, offices, and entire urban areas.

Calhoun's study is a legitimate study, but more in the field of animal Psychology than human. The assumptions made from this study, primarily that humans will act like rats when kept in confined spaces, was not proven by any means. Studies would have to be made on humans themselves, living in areas of high population density, to make the comparison stick. On the other hand, Calhoun's study did have some validity, and could be used as the basis of other research eventually culminating in a study that could predict the actions of humans. While humans and rats are different, studying rats can give some insight, however small, into the behavior of humans.