kaeliowl's review against another edition
4.0
To say this book is a biography of the man behind the Rorschach test only gives half the story. It is also a biography of the test itself.
Searls begins by exploring the life and influences of Hermann Rorschach, his upbringing, schooling, artistic work, siblings, love life. He takes the reader through the early musings that led to the "inkblots." I appreciate the amount of time spent exploring how psychiatrists were working in the era, how they were using actual inkblots and free association and how Freud, Jung, Bleuler, and dozens of other psychologists and psychiatrists were changing the field rapidly. The author tied together the ways art was evolving and the way psychology was evolving in such a way that made the Rorschach test seem almost like a fait accompli.
The part I loved the most about the explanation of Rorschach's development of his theories was his explanation of extroversion and empathy. Jung's ideas of extroversion are the ones we have now, but I really related to how Rorschach explained the mindset it takes to properly empathize--how you have to feel outwards in order to do it.
The second half of the book takes a look at the evolution of the test. Because Rorschach died young, he wasn't able to do as much modification, adaptation, or testing to see the various ways he could use his "experiment" to elicit insight. It also means that the test was used and misused by practitioners hoping to get information that it was never intended to find, in ways it was never intended to be used (such as the multiple choice test).
In the second half of the book, I was particularly struck by the work done to quantify and validate the test. My background is in medical research (medical librarian), so I always look for where a study is in the evidence hierarchy and how its been validated. (I'm waiting for a friend who is a behavioral scientist to read this book to see if she likes this part too or if it exasperates her). I really appreciated knowing that there is validity and reproduciblility in this test, but that it can also be used to further lead conversation within a therapy session.
I acknowledge there are some parts of this book that are probably a bit dry--explanations of the coding of the test in particular. However, I think it was important to include to understand that the Rorschach inkblots aren't a random, see anything you want, no boundaries, free association only, you might as well be looking at clouds kind of test. It does show that these are intentional, with a strong theory behind them.
This book was written how I adore biographies to be written: it considers the world and the life of a person with a brilliant idea. Then it considers how that idea changed the world and other lives after that person was no longer in control of it. Recommended to anyone interested in psychology, personality, or even Russia and Switzerland in the early 1900s.
Searls begins by exploring the life and influences of Hermann Rorschach, his upbringing, schooling, artistic work, siblings, love life. He takes the reader through the early musings that led to the "inkblots." I appreciate the amount of time spent exploring how psychiatrists were working in the era, how they were using actual inkblots and free association and how Freud, Jung, Bleuler, and dozens of other psychologists and psychiatrists were changing the field rapidly. The author tied together the ways art was evolving and the way psychology was evolving in such a way that made the Rorschach test seem almost like a fait accompli.
The part I loved the most about the explanation of Rorschach's development of his theories was his explanation of extroversion and empathy. Jung's ideas of extroversion are the ones we have now, but I really related to how Rorschach explained the mindset it takes to properly empathize--how you have to feel outwards in order to do it.
The second half of the book takes a look at the evolution of the test. Because Rorschach died young, he wasn't able to do as much modification, adaptation, or testing to see the various ways he could use his "experiment" to elicit insight. It also means that the test was used and misused by practitioners hoping to get information that it was never intended to find, in ways it was never intended to be used (such as the multiple choice test).
In the second half of the book, I was particularly struck by the work done to quantify and validate the test. My background is in medical research (medical librarian), so I always look for where a study is in the evidence hierarchy and how its been validated. (I'm waiting for a friend who is a behavioral scientist to read this book to see if she likes this part too or if it exasperates her). I really appreciated knowing that there is validity and reproduciblility in this test, but that it can also be used to further lead conversation within a therapy session.
I acknowledge there are some parts of this book that are probably a bit dry--explanations of the coding of the test in particular. However, I think it was important to include to understand that the Rorschach inkblots aren't a random, see anything you want, no boundaries, free association only, you might as well be looking at clouds kind of test. It does show that these are intentional, with a strong theory behind them.
This book was written how I adore biographies to be written: it considers the world and the life of a person with a brilliant idea. Then it considers how that idea changed the world and other lives after that person was no longer in control of it. Recommended to anyone interested in psychology, personality, or even Russia and Switzerland in the early 1900s.
byashleylamar's review against another edition
I found this book to be incredibly fascinating. As a psychology / social sciences major in college this is exactly the type of non-fiction book I enjoy delving in to. Rorschach was always one of my favorite men behind the study of human behavior and his work in creating the iconic inkblot tests is beyond fascinating.
This book is both a biography of Hermann Rorschach and a study of the science and art behind the inkblots test theory. While I've never been fully convinced of the validity behind the inkblots tests I did find that section of the book to be interesting and well worth a read.
This book is both a biography of Hermann Rorschach and a study of the science and art behind the inkblots test theory. While I've never been fully convinced of the validity behind the inkblots tests I did find that section of the book to be interesting and well worth a read.
lola425's review against another edition
3.0
I liked half this book, the half that was about Rorschach's life and the development of the inkblot test. I feel like the second half of the book which followed different iterations and perceptions of the test could have been edited down. It's pretty comprehensive, I'll give you that. Worth a read.
whipson's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written, well-sourced, and engaging. Having originally dismissed the Rorschach as artistic pseudoscience, this book has given me newfound appreciation for the man and his test. I admire Searls' ability to describe the research in a compelling way, yet maintain a mostly neutral stance between those who promote the test and those who admonish it. It's interesting to see how the test evolved over the years as it was adopted within an array of situations ranging from the psychoanalyst's couch to the Nuremberg prison. I think in the end, however, the author is a bit coy as to his personal views on the test, and he spends almost two chapters waffling between various perspectives. Still, I would wholeheartedly recommend the book to anyone interested in psychology, or even history in general.
anniegroover's review against another edition
2.0
While the story was interesting, I got bogged down in the middle. I've set it aside for now, and I'm not sure I'll pick it up again. Mostly because I read this article this morning, and I've only got room for about 2000 more books until I croak: http://lithub.com/how-many-books-will-you-read-before-you-die/
szeglin's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
The Inkblots is really two books in one. The first section is a biography of Hermann Rorschach the man. It provides insight into his scientific and artistic background, both of which contributed to his development of the inkblots. Rorschach never saw the blots as a "test," but rather an experiment--a tool to gain a deeper understanding on a patient's outlook on the world. Unfortunately, Rorschach died at the young age of 37, a mere year after publishing his book on his inkblots.
At this point the book switches gears and becomes a history of the use of the inkblot test, particularly in the United States. Searls relates the shifting attitudes towards psychiatry (and authority figures more broadly) to the changes in the way the Rorschach test has been regarded.
The book is well written and engaging. Recommended for those interested in the development of psychiatry.
wanderlustsleeping's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting history about a subject I've of course heard of (who hasn't), but before never realized I knew nothing of its true origins. I saw this book in a bookstore a few months back and literally went "oh!" outloud.
I'm very glad I picked it up, as I feel as if some kind of important (yet niche, yet not really niche?) gap in my knowledge of psychology was filled, even if minuscule in size. Regarding the writing, the book could have been 50-80 pages shorter, as while I appreciate intermittent summaries of what was just discussed in my nonfiction books most of them in here were unnecessary and just felt like the author was trying to increase his word count.
Overall good, but nothing special.
I'm very glad I picked it up, as I feel as if some kind of important (yet niche, yet not really niche?) gap in my knowledge of psychology was filled, even if minuscule in size. Regarding the writing, the book could have been 50-80 pages shorter, as while I appreciate intermittent summaries of what was just discussed in my nonfiction books most of them in here were unnecessary and just felt like the author was trying to increase his word count.
Overall good, but nothing special.
miklosha's review against another edition
4.0
This book can really be divided into two sections. The first a history of Hermann Rorschach and his early life as a psychiatrist in Europe. His contemporaries being the apprentices of Jung and Freud. This half is fascinating for its biographical significance and illuminates a rarely studied man who contributed so much to the study if Psychology.
The second half is a history of the Rorschach test in all its glory; scoring, administration, and efficacy. The author attempts to be impartial about its usage but clearly comes down on the side of "it's gotta be helpful on some level, right?" in response to critics cited in the book. The author does do a great job of outlining both the strengths and weaknesses of the projective test, and attempts to strike a middle ground with discussions of the newer iterations.
Overall, the book is well thought out and interesting. A lay reader may lose interest, so someone who has an understanding of the Rorschach (taker or tester) would certainly benefit from reading it.
The second half is a history of the Rorschach test in all its glory; scoring, administration, and efficacy. The author attempts to be impartial about its usage but clearly comes down on the side of "it's gotta be helpful on some level, right?" in response to critics cited in the book. The author does do a great job of outlining both the strengths and weaknesses of the projective test, and attempts to strike a middle ground with discussions of the newer iterations.
Overall, the book is well thought out and interesting. A lay reader may lose interest, so someone who has an understanding of the Rorschach (taker or tester) would certainly benefit from reading it.