The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is the first test
in Psychological Test Series and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) is first test in SSB screening. This test was designed by Henry A. Murray and
Christiana D. Morgan.The
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) gives an opportunity in the form of a
‘Stimulus’ to the individual to project his personality in terms of free verbal
‘Responses’ with regard to the pictures, he sees and the plot that he may weave
around the picture.
It is not a ‘fact’ based test, rather it is based on
opinion, emotions, value and attitude of the person. What color and combination
are given to the story, which aspects are dominated, does the individual show
value, emotions, helping attitude, sacrifice, faithfulness with full of
challenges, is all seen through this test. For these aspects, one is required
to go beyond the obvious. Going beyond the obvious will enhance the imagination
process and imagination has no prescriptional limit. It is well said “Your
Imagination can take you places, which you can’t even imagine!”
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) – What, Why and How?
TAT is
purely based on your ‘Perception’. So far as the definition goes -
Perception
– It is the process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory
impressions in order to give meaning to their environment.
TAT
basically requires you to perceive a ‘Theme’ or ‘Story’. The story
requires a Hero, who must face challenges and risk, but should not fail.
Depending on the situational crisis, the hero may face the failure for time
being, but finally he should succeed.
There is
no Courage without challenges and risks; there is no Motivation without failure
and setbacks.
Basic Requirement in a Story
There
should be a match between you and your hero, because the hero is your
alter-ego, your deployed leader who should represent you 100%. There must be a
minimum distance between you and your hero. There should be a similarity
between age, sex and character. There may be a possibility of difference in
perception, emotions and ability, but not in terms of the achievement. To be
precise, your hero’s achievement is the manifest of your own achievement.
Let’s see some sample stories:
Story:
Due to
meager representation of youngsters in the recruitment drive of the Army
conducted recently, Suresh Kolte, a sports coach started to train the youngsters
of Satana village in Maharashtra. In the month of Feb 12, 2008, he started with
one boy. After a week the strength went to five. He scheduled morning and
evening hours for exercises/race and day/evening for written preparation
leaving 6 to 8 hours for other activities. For the entire Feb month, he made
them familiar with written and physical tests. Right from March 1, he made the
entire course competitive. He started pointing towards the best one to follow
the speed and maintain the time in physical as well as written practice
session. In the month of April, out the 5 boys, 4 got selected in the
recruitment drive organized by the Army at the Southern Command, Pune. Seeing
the results, many youngsters joined the center and started taking training for
the next batch.
Interpretation
- The Hero
under took the challenge, chose the undriven field in that locality
(challenging ability). For the said ability, one has to go beyond the duty,
which is sense of responsibility. In most of the case, the sense of responsibility
is often dubbed with the risk taking ability, which this hero had.
- His
punctuality, dedication of fixing the schedule and training program reveals his
planning and organizing ability.
- Pointing
the best one to be followed by the rest one shows competitive ability and
motivation.
- With his
hard work and sacrifice, he creates an exemplary result that would mean
leadership by example.
- Seeing
the result, youngsters of neighboring villages got themselves motivated and
joined the training center shows the motivation level and inspiration.
The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is the first test
in Psychological Test Series and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) is first test in SSB screening. This test was designed by Henry A. Murray and
Christiana D. Morgan.The
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) gives an opportunity in the form of a
‘Stimulus’ to the individual to project his personality in terms of free verbal
‘Responses’ with regard to the pictures, he sees and the plot that he may weave
around the picture.
It is not a ‘fact’ based test, rather it is based on opinion, emotions, value and attitude of the person. What color and combination are given to the story, which aspects are dominated, does the individual show value, emotions, helping attitude, sacrifice, faithfulness with full of challenges, is all seen through this test. For these aspects, one is required to go beyond the obvious. Going beyond the obvious will enhance the imagination process and imagination has no prescriptional limit. It is well said “Your Imagination can take you places, which you can’t even imagine!”
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) – What, Why and How?
TAT is
purely based on your ‘Perception’. So far as the definition goes -
Perception
– It is the process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory
impressions in order to give meaning to their environment.
TAT
basically requires you to perceive a ‘Theme’ or ‘Story’. The story
requires a Hero, who must face challenges and risk, but should not fail.
Depending on the situational crisis, the hero may face the failure for time
being, but finally he should succeed.
There is
no Courage without challenges and risks; there is no Motivation without failure
and setbacks.
Basic Requirement in a Story
There
should be a match between you and your hero, because the hero is your
alter-ego, your deployed leader who should represent you 100%. There must be a
minimum distance between you and your hero. There should be a similarity
between age, sex and character. There may be a possibility of difference in
perception, emotions and ability, but not in terms of the achievement. To be
precise, your hero’s achievement is the manifest of your own achievement.
Let’s see some sample stories:
It is
the picture of a young man pointing out at another person, who is seen running.
It is an evening or night scene.
Story:
Due to
meager representation of youngsters in the recruitment drive of the Army
conducted recently, Suresh Kolte, a sports coach started to train the youngsters
of Satana village in Maharashtra. In the month of Feb 12, 2008, he started with
one boy. After a week the strength went to five. He scheduled morning and
evening hours for exercises/race and day/evening for written preparation
leaving 6 to 8 hours for other activities. For the entire Feb month, he made
them familiar with written and physical tests. Right from March 1, he made the
entire course competitive. He started pointing towards the best one to follow
the speed and maintain the time in physical as well as written practice
session. In the month of April, out the 5 boys, 4 got selected in the
recruitment drive organized by the Army at the Southern Command, Pune. Seeing
the results, many youngsters joined the center and started taking training for
the next batch.
Interpretation
- The Hero under took the challenge, chose the undriven field in that locality (challenging ability). For the said ability, one has to go beyond the duty, which is sense of responsibility. In most of the case, the sense of responsibility is often dubbed with the risk taking ability, which this hero had.
- His punctuality, dedication of fixing the schedule and training program reveals his planning and organizing ability.
- Pointing the best one to be followed by the rest one shows competitive ability and motivation.
- With his hard work and sacrifice, he creates an exemplary result that would mean leadership by example.
- Seeing the result, youngsters of neighboring villages got themselves motivated and joined the training center shows the motivation level and inspiration.
Click Here for more Sample Stories and its Interpretation.
Click Here for more Sample Stories and its Interpretation.