Monday, August 15, 2011

RORSCHACH AND RIVER

Meet Eli's youngest son, River. Recently I visited this sweet, sweet colt and couldn't resist posting his head shot. Ink blot test anyone? Just for fun, here is some background behind this test, officially known as the Rorschach Test after Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach.

The test was developed to examine a person's personality characteristics and emotional functioning. In the 1960s it was the most widely used personality test and sometimes used in forensic assessment. Test subjects are asked to respond to ten cards of ink blot patterns--what they think the shape/pattern looks like and what makes it look that way. Unique responses are most often found in creative/artistic types and in people with larger amygdalas. The amygdala is part of the limbic region of the brain and processes feelings. It is especially good at recalling memories with a strong emotional context.

The Rorschach test is believed by some to reveal underlying motive and even thought disorders. Hmmm...as I look at River a specific disorder and motivation is clear: I am hopelessly crazy for horses and must have one in my backyard!

Happy Monday.

2 comments:

kare said...

Oh! he's just adorable.
i wish for one like him in MY backyard someday!))
i hope getting back into horses will heal what ails me...
as was said, "the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person".
i enjoy your blog very much.
~kare *iznaabugg

Catherine said...

Thanks for reading, Kare! Yes, horses are good for our insides:). I think there would be fewer visits to the therapist if more people could spend time with horses. Blessings to you in your healing journey.