A classroom demonstration of potential biases in the subjective interpretation of projective tests

Instructors teaching psychological assessment can we this demonstration to illustrate potential biases when subjectively interpreting responses to pro jective stimuli. Specifically, the demonstration illustrates how prior expe ctancies often lead the interpreter to focus on responses that "fit" with t he initial impression (i.e., the tendency to collect confirmatory data). Th e demonstration utilizes active student participation, holds student intere st, stimulates subsequent class discussion, and results in generally positi ve feedback from students.