A study to determine the relationship between Ellis's irrational beliefs and selected Rorschach indices: Implications for exploring the Rorschach as a potential outcome measure of Rational-emotive therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the Rorschach test as a potential outcome measure of the effectiveness of Rational-emotive therapy (RET). The study examined the relationships between Ellis's ten basic "irrational beliefs," as measured by the Jones Irrational Belief Test (IBT), and selected indices of Exner's comprehensive system of the Rorschach test. The IBT and the Rorschach test were administered to a sample of outpatient Caucasian adults, both male and female (N=30). Relationships among the scores on the two tests were determined using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation. A number of significant correlations were found that offer some evidence in favor of further exploration of the Rorschach as a potential outcome measure of RET. The most substantial correlation occurred between total irrational belief scores and the Rorschach index of perceptual distortion (X-%), which lends support for RET theory that beliefs and perceptions are related. Recommendations for further research in this area are discussed. The results also raised an interesting question concerning the relationship between "Extratensive-Introversive" and "Extroversion-Introversion," which may be a suitable topic for those interested in doing research with the Rorschach.