Draw-a-Person Test

The Draw-a-Person Test

The Draw-a-Person Test is a projective technique used to assess personality. It is remarkably simple in its administration. The subject is given a sheet of paper, a pencil, and an eraser, and is asked to draw a person. That is the entire first step — no further instructions are given about what kind of person to draw or how detailed the drawing should be.

Once the first drawing is complete, the subject is asked to draw a figure of the opposite sex. This second drawing provides a contrast and often reveals different aspects of the subject's self-concept and gender identity. Finally, the subject is asked to create a story about the person they have drawn, as if that person were a character in a novel or a play. This narrative component adds a rich layer of verbal material for interpretation.

The interpretation of the drawings is based on the idea that what a person draws — and what they leave out — reflects their unconscious concerns, conflicts, and personality dynamics. The textbook provides three specific examples of how features of the drawing are interpreted:

Omission of facial features suggests that the person is trying to evade a highly conflict-ridden interpersonal relationship. The face is the primary site of social interaction and emotional expression; leaving it out may indicate a desire to avoid the anxiety associated with such relationships.

Graphic emphasis on the neck — drawing the neck very prominently, thickly, or with extra detail — suggests a lack of control over impulses. The neck is seen as the bridge between the head (reason, control) and the body (impulse, desire); overemphasising it may reflect a struggle to keep impulses in check.

Disproportionately large head suggests organic brain disease and a pre-occupation with headaches. This is a more clinical interpretation, linking the physical symptom (headaches) and the underlying organic condition to the symbolic representation in the drawing.

Strengths and Limitations of Projective Techniques

The analysis of personality through projective techniques like the Draw-a-Person Test is considered fairly interesting and valuable by practitioners. These techniques help uncover unconscious motives, deep-rooted conflicts, and emotional complexes that a person may not be able to report directly. …