Neyamat Gurbans Singh (M.Phil.

TAT Homework Assignment

Participant responses to Uma Chaudhary’s TAT Cards and attached Bellak analysis sheet

I. T. (1)

This boy has had a long, hard day and just sat down in the evening. He sat down to finally relax yet was not
able to. He was still preoccupied with the troubles at work – worsened by this lockdown. He waits for the
day when his thoughts slow down enough for him to be able let out the music.

1. Main theme: Symbolic level

2. Main hero: The boy
Age: Not specified, yet a working-ageis indicated, and use of the word ‘boy’ rather than ‘man’ could extend
to suggest this is a young working-age character
Sex: Male
Vocation: Not specified, but this character has been described as ‘working’
Interests: Music
Traits: Responsible, conscientious
Abilities: Hard-working, musician
Adequacy: ✓
Body image and/or self image: possibly poor self-image as suggested by preoccupation with work
performance
3. Main needs and drives of hero
a) Behavioural needs: Need for Achievement, Acquisition and Play
b) Figures, objects, or circumstances introduced: Pandemic situation and related work troubles highlight;
thus, can be seen as press of lack, and implied press of loss
c) Figures, objects, or circumstances omitted
4. Conception of environment (world) as: Empty
5. Figures
a) Parental figures: None
b) Contemporary figures: Main character
c) Younger figures: None
6. Significant conflicts: Need for Achievement vs. Need for Play; Need for Acquisition vs. Need for
Play
7. Nature of anxieties (and their level)
of physical harm and/or punishment
of disapproval
of lack or loss of love
of illness or injury
of being deserted
of deprivation ✓✓
of being overpowered and helpless ✓✓✓ (helpless)
lonely
of being devoured
other
8. Main defenses against conflicts and fears
Repression
Regression
Reaction formation
Splitting
Isolation
Denial
Introjection ✓ (in attempt to enjoy to distract from work struggles)
Undoing
Rationalization
Other
9. Adequacy of superego as manifested by ‘punishment’ for ‘crime’ being
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Too severe (indicated by immediacy of punishment)
Inconsistent
Too lenient
Also:
Delayed initial response of pauses
Stammer
Other manifestations of superego interference: cannot seem to enjoy interests (pleasure principle) when
feeling responsible for work, suggesting a strong superego
10. Integration of the ego, manifesting itself in
Hero adequacy: Inadequate
Outcome:
Happy
Unhappy ✓✓✓
Realistic
Unrealistic
Drive control: unresolved
Thought processes as revealed by plot being:
Stereotyped
Original ✓✓
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Complete
Incomplete
Syncretic
Concrete
Contaminated
Intelligence
Superior
Above average ✓
Average
Below average
Defective
Maturation level: normal
Organic signs: none
II. T. (2)

This is a scene from a small village, where people farm and rear animals and live a simple life. The working
women look at the man leading the buffaloes across. One of them is holding her youngest daughter. The
man was once a part of them, but after many mistakes and fights and differences, his life is now away –
interacting with them only in passing. While the older women seem slightly burdened by this discord, the
young boy and girl – the mother’s older children, are oblivious. The younger ones are making the way for a
fresh start for the family.

1. Main theme: Elaborative Level

2. Main hero: Mother (implied – single mother)
Age: unspecified, though described as ‘older’
Sex: female
Vocation: farming and animal rearing (implied)
Interests: unspecified
Traits: depressed affect
Abilities: hard-working; autonomous
Adequacy ✓
Body image and/or self image: unclear; negative self-image implied, when hero is described as ‘burdened’
3. Main needs and drives of hero
a) Behavioural needs: Need for affiliation (associative and emotional); Need for nurturance
b) Figures, objects, or circumstances introduced: Separated partner (husband is implied); family discord /
breakage; Currently, family seems children (3) and additional same-sex family member (implied);
c) Figures, objects, or circumstances omitted:
4. Conception of environment (world) as: Hostile; Rejecting / Empty as well as with friendliness and
love
5. Figures
a) Parental figures: hero herself is identified as parent (f); her partner / children’s father is implied (m)
b) Contemporary figures: one same-sex family member (implied) (f)
c) Younger figures: three children – 2 (f), 1 (m)
6. Significant conflicts: Need for nurturance vs. succorance
7. Nature of anxieties
of physical harm and/or punishment
of disapproval
of lack or loss of love ✓✓
of illness or injury
of being deserted ✓✓✓
of deprivation
of being overpowered and helpless
lonely
of being devoured
other
8. Main defenses against conflicts and fears
Repression
Regression
Reaction formation
Splitting
Isolation
Denial ✓ (of the positivity that is now part of the new family system)
Introjection
Undoing
Rationalization
Other
9. Adequacy of superego as manifested by ‘punishment’ for ‘crime’ being
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Too severe (indicated by immediacy of punishment)
Inconsistent
Too lenient ✓ (the man who seems to have left the family does not seem to experience any consequences)
Also:
Delayed initial response of pauses
Stammer
Other manifestations of superego interference
10. Integration of the ego, manifesting itself in
Hero adequacy ✓
Outcome:
Happy
Unhappy ✓
Realistic ✓
Unrealistic
Drive control: Unclear
Thought processes as revealed by plot being:
Stereotyped
Original
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Complete ✓
Incomplete
Syncretic
Concrete
Contaminated
Intelligence
Superior
Above average
Average ✓
Below average
Defective
Maturation level: normal
Organic signs: none
III. T. (3 F.G.)

This is the picture of a mother and a daughter. The family has gone through a troubling time, but the young
girl is strong. Her mother tries to comfort here, but truly, she is far away in her mind – as she is much of the
time these days. Hurt at this emotional distance between them – for no fault of hers, the young girl is often
angry and resentful at being comforted. She wants her mother to be happy – not far away in her mind. She
still stands there in her mother’s embrace however, waiting for the day she truly sees her while holding her.

1. Main theme: Elaborative Level

2. Main hero: Identified as ‘young girl’ who is the daughter
Age: unspecified, but described as ‘young’
Sex: female
Vocation: unspecified
Interests: unspecified
Traits: autonomous, strong, resentful
Abilities: adaptability
Adequacy ✓✓
Body image and/or self image: unclear; positive self-image, and described as ‘strong’
3. Main needs and drives of hero
a) Behavioural needs: Need for succorance; Need for Affiliation
b) Figures, objects, or circumstances introduced: family had seen ‘troubling time’; mother is distant
c) Figures, objects, or circumstances omitted
4. Conception of environment (world) as: Both nurturing and hostile
5. Figures
a) Parental figures: mother (f) – who is described as distant
b) Contemporary figures: none
c) Younger figures: the young daughter (f)
6. Significant conflicts: Need for succorance vs. nurturance
7. Nature of anxieties
of physical harm and/or punishment
of disapproval
of lack or loss of love ✓✓
of illness or injury
of being deserted
of deprivation
of being overpowered and helpless
lonely
of being devoured
other
8. Main defenses against conflicts and fears
Repression
Regression
Reaction formation
Splitting
Isolation
Denial
Introjection
Undoing
Rationalization
Other: Suppression
9. Adequacy of superego as manifested by ‘punishment’ for ‘crime’ being
Appropriate ✓ (she sees her mother as unavailable but understands the situation and does not seek
punishment)
Inappropriate
Too severe (indicated by immediacy of punishment)
Inconsistent
Too lenient
Also:
Delayed initial response of pauses
Stammer
Other manifestations of superego interference
10. Integration of the ego, manifesting itself in
Hero adequacy: ✓✓
Outcome:
Happy
Unhappy
Realistic: ✓
Unrealistic
Drive control: successful reconciliation of competing drives and patient hope for a brighter future
Thought processes as revealed by plot being:
Stereotyped
Original
Appropriate: ✓
Inappropriate
Complete: ✓
Incomplete
Syncretic
Concrete
Contaminated
Intelligence
Superior: ✓ (as seen in high level of elaboration, mature defenses, and sophisticated language)
Above average
Average
Below average
Defective
Maturation level
Organic signs
IV. T. (4 F.G.)

This is a couple soon after their arranged marriage. The young wife is a bit apprehensive of the older man
she barely knows, who is her husband. He has seen a lot more of the world than her. He keenly looks at her
to make his judgements – just evaluation in his eyes – no love and no hate. The sun shining on them may
slowly illuminate their lives, as they are forced to understand each other better, on the journey of this
marriage.

1. Main theme: Symbolic Level (Sophisticated associations and attributions, but no specific storyline)
2. Main hero: Young wife (while the ‘husband’ is also focused on, what the wife may be seeing is
described. What the husband could be seeing is not).
Age: unspecified, though described and ‘young’ and of marriageable age (implied)
Sex: female
Vocation: unspecified
Interests: unspecified
Traits: apprehensive
Abilities: unspecified
Adequacy: ✓
Body image and/or self image: unclear; poor self-image is possibly implied as the husband is described as
having ‘seen a lot more of the world’ in comparison to her. There is no detail to shed light on the wife’s
abilities as a character
3. Main needs and drives of hero
a) Behavioural needs: Need for Affiliation (emotional and associative); Need for sex (implied)
b) Figures, objects, or circumstances introduced: New marriage; arranged marriage specified, and the use
of the phrase “forced to understand each other” also implies a situation of imposed duty
c) Figures, objects, or circumstances omitted
4. Conception of environment (world) as: duty-bound / coercive; hostile (implied with words like
‘judgement’ and ‘evaluation’); simultaneously implies possibility of a friendly world in the future
5. Figures
a) Parental figures: none
b) Contemporary figures: none (husband is specifically described as older)
c) Younger figures: none
6. Significant conflicts: Need for autonomy vs. Need for Affiliation
7. Nature of anxieties
of physical harm and/or punishment
of disapproval
of lack or loss of love ✓ (implied when ‘apprehensive’ about new marital relationship)
of illness or injury
of being deserted
of deprivation
of being overpowered and helpless ✓ (implied when it is suggested that marriage was duty-bound)
lonely
of being devoured
other
8. Main defenses against conflicts and fears
Repression
Regression
Reaction formation ✓✓ (implied in hope for the future despite apprehension and feeling forced and judged)
Splitting
Isolation
Denial
Introjection
Undoing
Rationalization
Other: Suppression (implied as Need for Autonomy can be seen as maturely suppression for the Need for
Affiliation)
9. Adequacy of superego as manifested by ‘punishment’ for ‘crime’ being
Appropriate ✓ (Seems to respond appropriately to new and possibly unfair choice; resolution of conflicts)
Inappropriate
Too severe (indicated by immediacy of punishment)
Inconsistent
Too lenient
Also:
Delayed initial response of pauses
Stammer
Other manifestations of superego interference
10. Integration of the ego, manifesting itself in
Hero adequacy: ✓✓ (heroine adapts to difficult situation)
Outcome:
Happy ✓
Unhappy
Realistic ✓
Unrealistic
Drive control: Conflicts seem maturely resolved with positive hope for future
Thought processes as revealed by plot being:
Stereotyped
Original
Appropriate ✓
Inappropriate
Complete ✓
Incomplete
Syncretic
Concrete
Contaminated
Intelligence
Superior ✓ (witnessed by mature plot and resolution, and sophisticated language)
Above average
Average
Below average
Defective
Maturation level
Organic signs
V. T. (5)

This is a picture of a boy and a girl who are in a dangerous fight. They have been in a relationship for many
years. The boy is in a fit of anger, which is not uncommon, as can be seen by his stern expression, and
comfort with holding her neck. She is in pain, but also seems a little bit used to such fights and has not even
raised her hand to fight back. She is stuck in this abusive relationship, with no escape in sight.

1. Main theme: Symbolic Level (mature plot content, but no specific storyline)
2. Main hero: The ‘girl’ as described (while a lot is said about the ‘boy’ as well, the stances seems
clearly empathetic to the girl).
Age: unspecified; youth is implied by the phrase ‘in a relationship’ and no mention of marriage, along with
use of ‘a boy and a girl’ rather than ‘man’ and ‘woman’)
Sex: female
Vocation: unspecified
Interests: unspecified
Traits: victimized, suffering, passive
Abilities: unspecified
Adequacy: ✓
Body image and/or self image: unclear; poor self-image is implied as the girl seems unable to fight back
3. Main needs and drives of hero
a) Behavioural needs: Need for Harm Avoidance
b) Figures, objects, or circumstances introduced: Abusive romantic partner; long-term suffering; long-
term relationship seen as permanent
c) Figures, objects, or circumstances omitted
4. Conception of environment (world) as: hostile and aggressive
5. Figures
a) Parental figures: none
d) Contemporary figures: boy (her abusive, romantic partner; said to have been in a relationship for
many years)
e) Younger figures: none
6. Significant conflicts: Need for Harm Avoidance vs. Need for Affiliation
7. Nature of anxieties
of physical harm and/or punishment ✓✓✓
of disapproval
of lack or loss of love ✓ (possibly implied when saying she ‘seems a little bit used to such fights’)
of illness or injury ✓✓
of being deserted
of deprivation
of being overpowered and helpless ✓✓✓ (implied as ‘no escape in sight’)
lonely
of being devoured
other
8. Main defenses against conflicts and fears
Repression
Regression
Reaction formation
Splitting
Isolation
Denial ✓ (possibly implied as no solution / desire / hope to leave the abusive relationship is seen)
Introjection
Undoing
Rationalization
Other:
9. Adequacy of superego as manifested by ‘punishment’ for ‘crime’ being
Appropriate
Inappropriate ✓ (‘villain’ of the story seems to go unpunished)
Too severe (indicated by immediacy of punishment)
Inconsistent
Too lenient ✓ (‘villain’ of the story seems to go unpunished)
Also:
Delayed initial response of pauses
Stammer
Other manifestations of superego interference
10. Integration of the ego, manifesting itself in
Hero adequacy: ✓ (heroine seems to have no hope)
Outcome:
Happy
Unhappy ✓
Realistic: unclear
Unrealistic
Drive control: Basic need of harm avoidance is not met, and there is no way identified to try to achieve
physical safety
Thought processes as revealed by plot being:
Stereotyped
Original
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Complete
Incomplete ✓
Syncretic
Concrete ✓ (very much follows the expressions and gestures of the characters in the picture)
Contaminated
Intelligence
Superior
Above average
Average ✓ (use of sophisticated language and mature theme)
Below average
Defective
Maturation level: unclear
Organic signs: none
Summary from above analysis of responses
The subject is a female, age 20 years. Overall, her responses to the TAT cards reveal high functioning
language and cognitive abilities with the capacity to think abstractly. However, they were all really short stories,
and while they did contain a background, story based on a description of the picture, as well as an indication of
outcome, they never went into too much detail. This could suggest either a low level of interest or engagement
on part of the subject, or a hesitation to share (and subsequently confront) too many personal anxieties. Of note
is that this subject is a student of psychology and also related to the interviewer, which is likely to have
impacted the nature of her participation.
Two recurring themes across these 5 responses were, 1) a restrained parental relationship related to past
family discord, and 2) possible discord or anxiety surrounding romantic relationship. A strong Need for
Affiliation emerges. In most cases, there seems to be hope for a positive and happier future (expect for when
there was the threat of physical harm, or the focal anxiety was of work and not relationships). The subject may
also have been significantly impacted (financially or in work / academics by the coronavirus pandemic), as the
first response highlights. Overall, the generally hopeful endings and relatively mature use of defense
mechanisms to deal with ego anxieties, as well as examples of very adaptable heroines, indicates that the
subject has adequate regulation of desires and resolution of conflicts.