The validity of quantitatively analyzed House Tree Person Projective Drawing Technique (HTP) in identifying emotionally disturbed children was investigated. Sixty-one variables, which consisted of 20 types of house, 18 types of tree and 23 types of pe...
The validity of quantitatively analyzed House Tree Person Projective Drawing Technique (HTP) in identifying emotionally disturbed children was investigated. Sixty-one variables, which consisted of 20 types of house, 18 types of tree and 23 types of person, were carefully chosen and modified based on the theory of HTP proposed by John N. Buck.
Using the selected 61 variables, the HTP was administered to 271 subjects -- 83 normal lower grade children, 82 normal upper grade children, 33 emotionally disturbed lower grade children, and 73 emotionally disturbed upper grade children -- in primary schools located in Seoul. The children's reactions in the course of drawing were carefully monitored, and post interrogation procedure was administered after the drawing. The drawings were then analyzed quantitatively based on the selected 61 variables.
Analysis of the data revealed the following results. First, a significant difference in the total maladjustment scores between normal and emotionally disturbed children was found. The differences in the scores were 10.56 in lower grade emotionally disturbed children, 8.01 in upper grade emotionally disturbed children, 5.63 in lower grade normal children, and 4.15 in upper grade normal children respectively.
Second. from the t-test results, 24 statistically significant variables among the 61 previously chosen variables were further selected to identity emotionally disturbed children (seven types of house, seven types of tree, and 10 types of person). Based on these variables, the drawings by emotionally disturbed children could be characterized as follows. The lines were thick and strongly stroked, and the drawings lacked in detail and in skill. Furthermore, the drawings were frequently erased and were generally unbalanced.
Third, the drawings were analyzed again using the 24 statistically significant variables. The threshold scores of identifying emotionally disturbed children were found to be: 2 points or more for the house drawing (23% of emotionally disturbed children were included) 3 points or more for the tree drawing (24%). 5 points or more for the person drawing (23%), and 6 points or more for the house, tree, Person drawing (47%), respectively.
In identifying emotionally disturbed children, it was found to be more desirable to use the total mal adjustment scores of the house, tree, person drawings than to depend on any single drawing. However, since the total maladjustment scores included only 47% of emotionally disturbed children, the quantitative analysis of the HIP should not be used exclusively in identifying emotionally disturbed children. Rather, it should be accompanied by qualitative analysis through monitoring children's reactions during the test and the post interrogation procedure.
fourth, a distinctive difference in the response by normal and emotionally disturbed children was observed during the post interrogation procedure. The emotionally disturbed children responed negatively and rejectively. Their responses also revealed inappropriate self-image and negative psychological environment in the family.
The findings of this study have verified a new approach of identifying emotionally disturbed children by using the quantitative analysis of the HTP and other psychological tests together.
The teachers may use the HTP to identify emotionally disturbed children easily and to understand children's emotional conflicts and problems.