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ASSESMENT:ADVANCED RORSCHACH
PP7374, Summer 2008
COURSE OUTLINE
INSTRUCTOR-Ascher Levy, Psy.D.
CLASS MEETING TIME: Monday and Thursday evenings 6-8:45 PM
OFFICE HOURS: Thursday, 5:00-6pm and by appointment
PHONE: (312) 433-6678
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
REQUIRED READING:
A Beginner’s Workbook for the Interpretation of the Rorschach Using the Comprehensive System. Tenth Edition (Purchased directly from instructor for $40.)
Rorschach Coding Solutions, Viglione, 2002
A Rorschach Workbook for the Comprehensive System, 5th Edition, Exner, 2001
Recommended Resources
Principles of Rorschach Interpretation, Weiner, 1998
The Rorschach: A Comprehensive System, Exner, Volumes 1-3, (2002, 2005, 1995 respectively)
Essentials of Rorschach Assessment, Rose et al, 2001
Contemporary Rorschach Interpretation, Meloy et al, 1997
A Primer for Rorschach Interpretation, Exner, 2002
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The major focus of study is on Rorschach interpretation, based largely, but not exclusively, on the Comprehensive System developed by Exner. Quantitative analysis, sequence analysis, content analysis, and an analysis of verbalizations and behavior are presented in a practical, experiential manner. An additional focus of the course will be on the use of the Rorschach in the assessment of children and adolescents. The course goal is that students will be able to independently and accurately interpret the Rorschach and communicate these results in a clear, concise manner.
DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY-MISSION STATEMENT
The doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University/American Schools of Professional Psychology-Chicago Campus is an APA accredited program (APA, 750 First St. NE, WashingtonD.C.20002, (202) 336-5500). This program is designed to educate and train students so that they may eventually be able to function effectively as clinical psychologists. To ensure that students are prepared adequately, the curriculum provides for meaningful integration of theory, training, and practice. The Clinical Psychology program at Argosy University/Illinois School of professional Psychology-Chicago Campus emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professional psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services. Specific objectives of the program include the following:
-The training of practitioners capable of delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services effectively to
diverse populations of clients in need of such treatment
-The development of mental health practitioners who understand the biological, psychological, and
sociological bases of human functioning
-The training of practitioners who are capable of exercising leadership both in the health care
delivery system and in the training of mental health professionals
-The preparation of mental health practitioners capable of expanding the role of psychologists within
society
-The education of psychologists capable of working with other disciplines as part of a professional
team
AMERICANS with DISABILITY ACT POLICY:
It is the policy of the Argosy University/Illinois School of Professional Psychology-Chicago Campus to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations, the student must notify the Director of Student Services. Procedures for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodations will be provided to students upon request.
Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing via a designated form. To receive accommodation in class, it is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his/her discretion) to the instructor. In an effort to protect student privacy, the Department of Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs of any student with instructors. Faculty may not make accommodations for individuals who have not been approved in this manner.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
Academic Dishonesty/Plagarism: In an effort to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity during the learning process, ArgosyUniversity requires that the submission of all course assignments represent the original work produced by that student. All sources must be documented through normal scholarly references/citations, and all work must be submitted using the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition (2001). WashingtonDC: American Psychological Association (APA) format. Please refer to Appendix A in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition for thesis and paper format. Students are encouraged to purchase this manual (required in some courses) and become familiar with its content as well as consult the ArgosyUniversity catalog for further information regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism. For the purpose of this course, plagiarism is considered direct copying from source books, fellow students, or computer generated printout interpretations. Students also may not consult with one another on report batteries or the Comprehensive Diagnostic Interpretation CEC examination but may work together on un-graded homework assignments. Questions or clarifications should be directed to Dr. Levy of the TA only. Students may consult and receive feedback with regard to their writing style (only) from the TA or the AcademicResourceCenter of the University.
Scholarly Writing: The faculty at ArgosyUniversity is dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports scholarly and ethical writing, free from academic dishonesty and plagiarism. This includes the proper and appropriate referencing of all sources. You may be asked to submit your course assignments through “Turnitin,” ( an online resource established to help educators develop writing/research skills and detect potential cases of academic dishonesty. Turnitin compares submitted papers to billions of pages of content and provides a comparison report to your instructor. This comparison detects papers that share common information and duplicative language.
The ArgosyUniversity Statement Regarding Diversity
ArgosyUniversity prepares students to serve populations with diverse social, ethnic, economic, and educational experiences. Both the academic and training curricula are designed to provide an environment in which students can develop the skills and attitudes essential to working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Library
All resources in ArgosyUniversity’s online collection are available through the Internet. The campus librarian will provide students with links, user IDs, and passwords.
Library Resources:ArgosyUniversity’s core online collection features more than 21,000 full-text journals, 23,000 electronic books and other content covering all academic subject areas including Business & Economics, Career & General Education, Computers, Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities, Science, Medicine & Allied Health, and Social & Behavior Sciences.All electronic resources can be accessed through the library’s website at User IDs and passwords are distributed during orientation, but can also be obtained at the circulation desk, calling 312-777-7653, or by e-mail at .
In addition to online resources, ArgosyUniversity’s onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials searchable in the Library Online Catalog. Catalog searching is easily limited to individual campus collections.Alternatively, students can search combined collections of all Argosy University Libraries. Students are encouraged to seek research and reference assistance from campus librarians.
Information Literacy: ArgosyUniversity’s Information Literacy Tutorial was developed to teach fundamental and transferable research skills, including selecting sources appropriate for academic-level research, searching periodical indexes and search engines, and evaluating and citing information. In the tutorial, students study concepts and practice them through interactions. At the conclusion of each module, they can test their comprehension and receive immediate feedback. Each module takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Please view the tutorial at
Technology: Pentium III CPU/Windows 98; 128MB RAM, printer; Microsoft Office Acrobat (full version), Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC) 5.0 MAC or Netscape Navigator 4.08. Norton Antivirus. ArgosyUniversity encourages the use of technology throughout the curriculum. Some of the assignments used in this class will include computer scored MMPI-2 and MMPI-A profiles. Students will be allowed to use computer generated interpretive reports for their homework and test assignments. However, according to APA ethics with respect to the use of these reports, students are not permitted to include statements copied directly from these reports in their own written work.
Course Length: 7.5 weeks Contact Hours: 45 hours Credit Value: 3.0
EVALUATION AND GRADING:
The objectives of this class will be met primarily through practical assignments, tests, and class experiential exercises. Grades will be based on the following criteria:
Assignments:
Administer and score a Rorschach to a child or adolescent (between age 6-17)-20%
Scoring Assignment- 10%
Administration Assignment-10%
Examinations:
Take Home Midterm write-up of Rorschach case- 25%
Take Home Final- Rorschach write-up-25%
Class Participation and Attendance: If you are unable to attend a class or will be late, you must contact the examiner before the class begins or it will be considered unexcused. More than one excused absence or two tardies will also be counted against part of this grade. Class participation grading will be based upon appropriate participation during case exercises, and asking or responding to questions during lectures. This includes staying on task, showing respect to your fellow students and instructor, and not engaging in personal discussions. 10% of your final grade will be based upon these criteria with 5% each for participation and attendance.
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE:
- The following is subject to change.
Class 1- (5-5) Course overview and review of syllabus. Review of Rorschach administration.
Homework: Read through Viglione book, not for memorization but to formulate
questions for class.
Class 2- (5-8) Continue withadministrationissues and review of coding, issues and experiential
exercises with coding and administration. (Bring Workbook and Viglione book to
class). Homework: Administration assignment handed out. Due next class.
Class 3- (5-12) Administration assignment due start of class. Continue withcoding issues.
Homework: Coding assignment handed out. Due start of next class.
Class 4-(5-15) Coding assignment due start of class. Go over administration assignment.
Begin interpretation of Emotional, Interpersonal, and Self-perception sections.
Case example. Homework: Read sections in Levy on Cognitive Triad.
Class 5-(5-19) Go over coding assignment. Interpretation of Cognitive Triad. Case example.
Homework: Read sections in Levy on Coping and StressTolerance, content
interpretation.
Class 6 (5-22) Administration/scoring assignment of child due start of class. Interpretation of
Control and Stress Tolerance, content. Case example. Midterm handed out. Due
6-9.
There will be no classes held on 5-26 in observance of Memorial Day holiday.
Class 7 (5-29) Go over administration/scoring assignment. Sequence analysis. Organizing and
integrating test data.
Class 8 (6-2) Complete case example. Organizing data.
Class 9 (6-5) Another complete case example.
Class 10 (6-9) Midterm due start of class. Assessment of children and adolescents. How the
Rorschach tracks developmental maturity. Issues with child-adolescent norms.
Homework: Go over case example for next class.
Class 11 (6-12) Return and go over mid-term. Child and adolescent case example.
Homework: go over sample case for next class. Final handed out. Due 6-23.
Class 12 (6-16) Morechild and adolescent cases. Homework: go over sample cases for next class.
Class 13 (6-19). Treatment issues and planning. Rorschach predictive validity about treatment.
Forensic use of the Rorschach, acceptance of Rorschach in court. Case examples.
Class 14 (6-23) Final Examination duestart of class. Additional scoring systems/variables: Urist
Mutuality of Autonomy (MOA) Scores, Meloy and Gaconoextended Aggressive
Scoring. The Rorschach as a measure of psychopathy. Case example.