The Rorschach and psychopathy: Toward a more accurate understanding of theresearch findings

In this article we present the reader with an understandable essay on the r elation between the Rorschach and psychopathy. Some degree of sophisticatio n and applied knowledge of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Hare, 19 91) and the Rorschach (Rorschach, 1921/1942) are necessary to wade through the literature, weigh the relative merits of arguments made by proponents a nd detractors of Rorschach assessment, and meaningfully interpret the findi ngs of relevant studies. Often studies reviewing the Rorschach's utility in assessing Antisocial Personality Disorder (American Psychiatric Associatio n, 1994) and psychopathy exhibit a flawed or superficial understanding of e ssential theoretical and methodological issues. Argument derived from a sus pect or specious premise, such as the notion that the Rorschach was designe d or aspires to correspond with formal diagnosis based on the Diagnostic an d Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1952, 1994), vitiates conclusions based on such a premise. In this article , we discuss theoretical and methodological issues that can aid the reader or reviewer in achieving a more accurate understanding of this body of rese arch.