Validity of the TAT in Brazil: Theoretical and Methodological Issues

Abstract Although the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is popular in Brazil, showing evidences of its validity remains a challenge. In the present article, we discuss such issue by analyzing the definition of the TAT as a projective method and a psychological test, its use by different theoretical t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psicologia, teoria e pesquisa teoria e pesquisa, 2020, Vol.36, p.1
Main Authors: Scaduto, Alessandro Antonio, Barbieri, Valeria, Santos, Manoel Antônio dos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Classical test theory
Methodological problems
projective techniques
PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
test validity
Thematic Apperception Test
Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
Traditions
Validity
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Summary:Abstract Although the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is popular in Brazil, showing evidences of its validity remains a challenge. In the present article, we discuss such issue by analyzing the definition of the TAT as a projective method and a psychological test, its use by different theoretical traditions, relations between nomothetic and idiographic analysis levels, limitations of Classical Test Theory for evaluating the instrument’s properties, and challenges regarding research and practice with the instrument in Brazil. We advocate that overcoming a traditional view of projective techniques, using multidimensional methods and performing wider empirical studies on norms and validation evidences with multicenter databases may allow more secure and informed practices with the instrument among researchers and practitioners in the country. Resumo Apesar da popularidade do Teste de Apercepção Temática (TAT) no Brasil, a demonstração de evidências de sua validade ainda permanece um desafio. No presente artigo, discutimos essa questão problematizando a definição do TAT como método projetivo e teste psicológico, abordando seu uso por diferentes correntes teóricas, relações entre os níveis nomotético e idiográfico de análise, limitações da Teoria Clássica dos Testes para avaliar suas propriedades, bem como os desafios na pesquisa e prática com o instrumento no país. Defendemos que superar a visão tradicional sobre as técnicas projetivas, utilizar métodos multidimensionais e realizar estudos empíricos mais amplos (sejam normativos ou de validação, usando bancos de dados multicêntricos) pode assegurar práticas melhor informadas com o instrumento para pesquisadores e profissionais.
ISSN:0102-3772
1806-3446
1806-3446
DOI:10.1590/0102.3772e36521