What is a projective test?

A projective test is a psychological assessment tool used to uncover an individual's underlying thoughts, feelings, and motivations by presenting ambiguous stimuli, such as images or Words. The idea is that people project their own emotions and experiences onto these ambiguous prompts, revealing aspects of their personality and unconscious mind. Common examples include the Rorschach inkblot test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). These tests are often used in clinical settings to gain deeper insights into a person's psychological state.