Projective Tests and Hypothetical Questions

For whatever cosmic reason, I was fortunate to grow up in a privileged household. My father was a successful obstetrician and gynecologist, we lived in a beautiful house and my brother and I went to private schools.

One day, while I was in middle school, I was sitting around with a bunch of other privileged kids, and the conversation devolved into hypothetical situations. Somebody asked whether anyone would be willing to cut off a testicle for five million dollars. Everybody, except for one kid, balked at the prospect of losing a testicle even if it meant a life of comfort.

I love hypothetical questions, and I believe that they are similar to projective tests. In psychology and psychiatry, projective tests are personality tests that consist of ambiguous stimuli which must be interpreted by the person being tested. Based on these responses, the administrator gleans insight into the subject's personality, feelings, perspective, and more. The two most widely used projective tests are the Rorschach and the Thematic Apperception Test.

Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach was interested in fantasy, and he noticed that certain inkblots evinced consistent responses in test subjects. Psychologist John Exner expanded on the work of Rorschach and developed a standardized system of scoring and administration for the Rorschach test.

The Rorschach test consists of 10 inkblots, 5 of which are black-and-white, and the other 5 of which are in color. During the first phase of the test, which is scored, the administrator asks the subject to free associate and provide interpretations of the inkblots without any input. During the second phase of administration, or the inquiry phase, the administrator reads back the subject his responses and asks what prompted these interpretations. Results of the Rorschach test are compared with other observations and measures of a subject's personality. Despite its limitations, the Rorschach test has proven useful.

With the Thematic Apperception Test, a subject creates a story based on a series of cards with pictures on them. Many of the pictures involve human figures engaged in some type of activity. The subject then interprets what led up to the event, what's going on, what the characters are feeling and so forth. Unlike the Rorschach test, there is less evidence that the Thematic Aperception Test is reliable and valid. Nevertheless, the Thematic Apperception Test can provide interesting insights into a subject's personality.

Cutting off a testicle is probably an unpleasant experience. But 5 million dollars is a lot of money. Growing up privileged, it was easy for me to remain oblivious to the harsh realities of the world. Because my parents made more money than most, I wasn't exposed to financial hardship.

Once I grew up and realized what 5 million dollars can do--how it can emancipate me from many of my financial worries (even if it won't necessarily make me happier)--I'm much more amenable to the prospect of parting with a testicle at that price. Granted, you'd have to first give me anesthesia. (Cutting off a testicle without anesthesia is going to cost a couple million more.)