Reducing cultural barriers in projective assessment through dynamic assessment

Abstract

Projection media are valued widely in psychological assessment. However, various pitfalls exist in the administration and interpretation thereof, for instance cross-cultural influences. Seeking to enhance trustworthiness without compromising the projective power of responses, this study investigates the influence of a Dynamic Assessment Technique of Questioning (DATQ) during projective assessments with adolescents in mono- and cross-cultural situations as well as the influence of culture on the emotional assessment situation using DATQ. The main findings suggest a positive influence of DATQ in mono- and cross-cultural assessments regarding projections, projection assessment processes and participants’ emotional experiences, as well as a lowering of cultural barriers. Interview data reveal cultural influences on projected content, suggesting the relevance of a conversation about culture in all cross-cultural assessments for more accurate interpretation of responses. All standardised instructions and procedures should be revisited to control for cultural influences on assessment.

Projeksiemedia word algemeen hoog aangeslaan in sielkundige assessering, ofskoon toepassing en interpretasie verskeie risiko’s inhou, byvoorbeeld rakende kruiskulturele invloede. Met die doel om betroubaarheid te bevorder sonder vermindering van die projeksiekrag van terugvoer, is die invloed van ’n Dinamiese Assesseringstegniek van Invraging (DATI) tydens projektiewe assesserings met adolessente in mono- en kruiskulturele situasies, asook die invloed van kultuur op die emosionele assesseringsituasie tydens toepassing van die DATI, ondersoek. ’n Positiewe invloed van die DATI is bevind op mono- en kruiskulturele assesserings met betrekking tot projeksies, projeksie-assesseringsprosesse en deelnemers se emosionele ervarings, asook ’n afname in kulturele belemmerings. Onderhouddata toon ’n kulturele invloed op geprojekteerde inhoud, duidend op die waarde van gesprekvoering oor kultuur in alle kruiskulturele assesserings vir meer akkurate interpretasie van terugvoer. Alle gestandaardiseerde opdragte en prosedures behoort nagegaan te word om kulturele invloede op assessering te beheer.