1st Edition

Personality Assessment in America A Retrospective on the Occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Society for Personality Assessment

Edited By Edwin I. Megargee, Charles D. Spielberger Copyright 1992
    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    224 Pages
    by Routledge

    Whereas most psychology books discuss current or future trends, this one focuses on the past. It consists of a collection of important and historically significant writings by a select group of men and women who, over the past 50 years, were honored by their colleagues for their distinguished contributions to the field of personality assessment. Published from 1939 through 1989, most of the papers were SPA Presidential addresses or presentations by the recipients of the Society's Distinguished Contributions Award. Taken as a whole, they provide a unique perspective on the evolution of personality assessment in America from the perspective of those who have made important contributions to that history. The writings are not merely of historical interest, but intrinsically important scientific contributions, some of which were in danger of being lost or forgotten. The editors feel it is important to preserve and pass on this valuable legacy for the education and edification of later generations.

    It is not only its historical perspective that makes this book unique. This book provides first-hand discussions of crucial issues in personality assessment written by the gifted men and women who were actually grappling with these problems at the time, without knowing what the outcomes would be. Readers will find that these papers provide insights not only into the conflicts and controversies, but also into the ideas, attitudes, and emotions of the men and women who took part in them.

    Contents: Preface. E.I. Megargee, C.D. Spielberger, Personality Assessment in America: An Introduction. Key Contributions from the Journals of the Society for Personality Assessment: 1938-1988. M. Krugman, Out of the Inkwell: The Rorschach Method. M. Rickers-Ovsiankina, Some Theoretical Considerations Regarding the Rorschach Method. S.B. Kutash, The Impact of Projective Techniques on Basic Psychological Science. S.J. Beck, Personality Research and Theories of Personality Structure. B. Klopfer, Psychological Variables in Human Cancer. L. Bellak, Henry A. Murray: An Appreciation. R.R. Holt, Formal Aspects of the TAT -- A Neglected Resource. W.E. Henry, E. Cumming, Personality Development in Adulthood and Old Age. E.S. Shneidman, Projections on a Triptych; Or, a Hagiology for Our Time. W.G. Klopfer, The Metamorphosis of Projective Techniques. M. Hertz, Projective Techniques in Crisis. P.E. Meehl, A Funny Thing Happened to Us on the Way to the Latent Entities. J.E. Exner, But It's Only an Inkblot. I.B. Weiner, The Future of Psychodiagnosis Revisted. R.H. Dana, Megatrends in Personality Assessment: Toward a Human Science Professional Psychology. S.J. Blatt, The Rorschach: A Test of Perception or an Evaluation of Representation. Epilogue. E.I. Megargee, C.D. Spielberger, Reflections on Fifty Years of Personality Assessment and Future Directions for the Field.

    Biography

    Edwin I. Megargee, Charles D. Speilberger

    "...commemorates the 50th anniversary of the SPA...in the nicest way possible....the editors, both of whom have long been respected international leaders in assessment, provide excellent introductory and closing contributions that trace the development of the Society and offer suggestions for further advances in assessment."
    Contemporary Psychology