Skip to main content

Story Completion Methods

  • Chapter
  • 43 Accesses

Abstract

History should start with beginnings . . . “Once upon a time . ..” But in this instance, the beginnings are obscure. Recent writers (Wursten, 1960; Miller, 1960) have presented the Madeline Thomas stories (Thomas, 1937) and the Duess fables (Duess, 1940) as the first story completion tasks. The word “task” is important because clinical tools were not considered tests; rather, they were part of the clinician’s armamentarium to be used whole, in part, or even with on-the-spot modifications as aides in working with children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allinsmith, B. B. Expressive styles: II. Directness with which anger is expressed. In D. R. Miller & G. E. Swanson (Eds.). Inner Conflict and Defense. New York: Holt-Dryden, 1960, Pp. 315–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allinsmith, W. The learning of moral standards. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allinsmith, W. Moral standards: II. The learning of moral standards. In D. R. Miller & G. E. Swanson (Eds.). Inner Conflict and Defense. New York: Holt, 1960, Pp. 141–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anastasiow, N. J. Success in school and boys’ sex-role patterns. Child Develpm., 1965, 36, 1053–1066.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, H. H., & Anderson, G. L. Children’s perceptions of social conflict situations: A study of adolescent children in Germany. Amer. J. Orthopsychiat., 1954, 24, 246–257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, H. H., & Anderson, G. L. Image of the teacher by adolescent children in seven countries. Amer. J. Orthopsychiat., 1961, 31, 481–492.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, H. H., & Anderson, G. L. Social values of teachers in Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Los Angeles County California: A comparative study of teachers and children. J. soc. Psychol, 1962, 58, 207–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, H. H., Anderson, G. L., Cohen, I. H., & Nutt, F. D. Image of the teacher by adolescent children in four countries: Germany, England, Mexico, and United States. J. soc. Psychol., 1959, 50, 47–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anthony, S. The Child's Discovery of Death. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1940.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aronfreed, J. Moral standards and sex identity. In D. R. Miller & G. E. Swanson (Eds.). Inner Conflict and Defense. New York: Holt, 1960. Pp. 177–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A., & Walters, R. H. Adolescent Aggression. New York: Ronald Press, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, R. (Ed.), The Stream of Behavior. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barndt, R. J., & Johnson, D. M. Time orientation in delinquents. J. abn. soc. Psychol, 1955, 51, 343–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender, L., & Woltmann, A. G. The use of puppet shows as a psychotherapeutic method for behavior problems in children. Amer. J. Orthopsychiat., 1936, 6, 341–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beardslee, B. J. Mechanisms of defense: IV. Aggression and the second family of defenses. In D. R. Miller & G. E. Swanson (Eds.) Inner Conflict and Defense. New York: Holt, 1960. Pp. 256–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bildfell, G., & Douglas, V. I. Children’s responses to aggression: A developmental study. Canad. Psychol, 1965, 6a, 173–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, L. The development of conscience: A comparison of American children of different mental and socioeconomic levels. Child Developm., 1962a, 33, 575–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, L. The development of conscience: A comparison of American children of different mental and socioeconomic levels. Child Developm., 1962a

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, L. The development of conscience: A comparison of upper-middle class academically gifted children attending Catholic and Jewish parochial schools. J. soc. Psychol, 1964, 59, 101–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, L., & Nass, L. Social class differences in conscience development. Child Developm., 1962, 33, 565–575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. Verbal projective methods. In D. C. Smith (Ed.). The Use of Projective Methods with the School-aged Child. Unpublished manuscript, Ohio State University, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buros, O. K. (Ed.), Tests in Print: A Comprehensive Bibliography of Tests for Use in Education, Psychology, and Industry. Highland Park, New Jersey: Gryphon, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buros, O. K. (Ed.), The Sixth Mental Measurements Yearbook. Highland Park, New Jersey: The Gryphon Press, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton, R. V. The generality of honesty reconsidered. Psychol. Rev., 1963, 70, 481–500.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cairns, R. B. The influence of dependency inhibition on the effectiveness of social reinforcement. J. Pers., 1961, 29, 466–488.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix. Psychol. Bull., 1959, 56, 81–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campos, L. P. The development and use of a story-completion measure of delay of need gratification. J. proj. Tech. Pers. Assess. (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dember, W. N. The new look in motivation. Amer. Scientist, 1965, 53, 409–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Despert, J. L., & Potter, H. W. Technical approaches used in the study and treatment of emotional problems of children. Part I: The story, a form of directed fantasy. Psychiat. Quart., 1936, 10, 619–638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Despert, J. L. Psychosomatic study of fifty stuttering children. Amer. J. Orthopsychiat., 1946, 16, 100–113.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, V. I. Children’s responses to frustration: A developmental study. Canad. J. Psychol./Rev. Canad. Psychol., 1965, 19, 161–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duess, L. La methode des fables en psychoanalyse. Arch. Psychol., Geneve, 1940, 28, 1–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel, M. The development and applications of the Children’s Insight Test. J. proj. Tech., 1958, 22, 13–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Engel, M., & Rechenberg, W. Studies in the reliability of the Children’s Insight Test. J. proj. Tech., 1961, 25, 158–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. The dream specimen of psychoanalysis. J Amer. psychoan. Assoc, 1954, 2, 5–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fassett, K. K. A preliminary investigation of the Sargeant Insight Test. J. clin. Psychol., 1948, 4, 45–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fine, R. Use of the Despert Fables (Revised Form) in diagnostic work with children. Rorschach Res. Exch. J. proj. Tech., 1948, 12, 106–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flavell, J. H. The Developmental Psychology of Jean Piaget. Princeton, N.J.: Van Nostrand, 1963.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, S. M. An empirical study of the castration and oedipus complexes. Genet. Psychol. Monogr., 1952, 46, 61–130.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • French, E. G. Some characteristics of achievement motivation. J. exp. Psychol., 1955, 50, 232–236.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • French, E. G., & Chadwick, I. Some characteristics of affiliation motivation. J. abn. soc. Psychol., 1956, 52, 296-300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grinder, R., & McMichael, R. Cultural influences on conscience development: Resistance to temptation and guilt among Samoans and American Caucasians. J. abn. soc. Psychol., 1963, 66, 503–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartshorne, H., & May, M. A. Studies in the Nature of Character: Vol. I. Studies in Deceit. New York: Macmillan, 1928.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haworth, M. R. The use of a filmed puppet show as a group projective technique for children. Genet. Psychol. Monogr., 1957, 56, 257–296.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, M. L. Childrearing practices and moral development: Generalizations from empirical research. Child Developm., 1963, 34, 295–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, F. L. (Ed.), Psychological Anthropology. Approaches to Culture and Personality. Homewood, I11.: Dorsey Press, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janis, I. L., et al. Personality and Persuasibility. New Haven: Yale University Press 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. A study of children’s moral judgment. Child Developm., 1962, 33, 327–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L. [atMoral development and identification. In H. Stevenson (Ed.). Child Psychology. 62nd Yearbook National Society for the Study of Education. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963. Pp. 177–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L. Development of moral character and moral ideology. In M. L. Hoffman & L. W. Hoffman (Eds.). Review of Child Development Research: Vol. I. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1964. Pp. 383–432.

    Google Scholar 

  • Komer, A. F. Some aspects of hostility in young children. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroeber, T. C. [atThe coping functions of the ego mechanisms. In R. W. White (Ed.). The Study of Lives. New York: Atherton, 1964. Pp. 178–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lansky, L. M. Mechanisms of defense: V. Sex identity and defenses against aggression. In D. R. Miller & G. E. Swanson (Eds.). Inner Conflict and Defense. New York: Holt, 1960. Pp. 272–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Lansky, L. M., Crandall, V. J., Kagan, J., & Baker, C. T. Sex differences in aggression and its correlates in middle-class adolescents. Child Developm., 1961, 32, 45–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebo, D. An empirical approach to problems concerning the diagnostic value of a pictureless TAT. J. proj. Tech., 1959, 23, 107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lebo, D. The development and employment of VTAT’s or pictureless TAT’s. J. Psychol, 1960, 50, 197–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebo, D., & Bruce, R.. Projective techniques recommended for use with the blind. J. Psychol, 1960, 50, 15–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebo, D., & Harrigan, M. Visual and verbal presentation of TAT stimuli. J. consult. Psychol, 1957, 21, 339–342.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lebo, D., & Sherry, J. P. Visual and vocal presentation of the TAT descriptions. J. prof. Tech., 1959, 23, 59–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LeShan, L. L. Time orientation and social class. J. abn. soc. Psychol, 1952, 47, 589–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindzey, G. Projective Techniques and Cross-cultural Research. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loevinger, J. Measurement in clinical research. In B. B. Wolman (Ed.). Handbook of Clinical Psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill 1965, Pp. 78–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loy, D. L., & Turnbull, J. W. Indirect assessment of anger dispositions. J. proj. Tech. Pers. Assess., 1964, 28, 314–321.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lynn, D. B. Structured Doll Play Test (SDP): A Projective Test for Use with Children. Denver, Colorado: Test Developments, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luria, Z., Goldwasser, M., & Goldwasser, A. Response to transgression in stories by Israeli children. Child Developm., 1963, 34, 271–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, M. C. A study of the moral development of children. Psychol Monogr., 1923, 32, No. 2. (Whole No. 144) 1–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Métraux, R. The consequences of wrongdoing: An analysis of story completions by German children. In Margaret Mead & Martha Wolfenstein (Eds.). Childhood in Contemporary Cultures. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955. Pp. 306–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. R., & Stine, M. E. The prediction of social acceptance by means of psychoanalytic concepts. J. Pers., 1951, 20, 162–174.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. R. Motivation and affect. In P. H. Mussen (Ed.). Handbook of Research Methods in Child Development. New York: Wiley, 1960. Pp. 688–769.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. R., & Swanson, G. E. (Eds.). Inner Conflict and Defense. New York: Holt, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, E. S. A study of the Madeleine Thomas Completion Stories Test with fifty elementary school children. Unpublished master’s thesis, Claremont College, 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, E. S. The Madeleine Thomas Completion Stories Test. J. consult. Psychol., 1953, 17, 139–141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mills, E. S. A story completion test for college students. J. clin. Psychol, 1954, 10, 18–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mosse, H. L. The Duess Test. Amer. J. Psychother., 1954, 8, 251–264.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, H. A. Techniques for a systematic investigation of fantasy. J. Psychol., 1937, 8, 115–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murstein, B. I. (Ed.), Handbook of Projective Techniques. New York: Basic Books, 1965a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murstein, B. I. The projection of hostility on the TAT as a function of stimulus, background and personality variables. J. consult. Psychol, 1965b, 29, 47–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, D. E., & Mussen, P. H. Parent-child relations and father identification among adolescent boys. J. abn. soc. Psychol, 1956, 52, 358–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peixotto, H. E. Reliability of the Despert Fables, a story completion projective test for children. J. clin. Psychol, 1956, 12, 75–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peixotto, H. E. Popular responses for the Despert Fables. J. clin. Psychol, 1957, 13, 73–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peixotto, H. E. Personality dynamics of American children as revealed by Despert Fables. Vita Humana, 1961, 4, 242–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piaget, J. The Moral Judgment of the Child. Harcourt, Brace, 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porteus, B. D., & Johnson, R. C. Children’s responses to two measures of conscience development and their relation to sociometric nomination. Child Developm., 1965, 36, 703–711.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raven, J. C. Controlled Projection for Children, (2nd ed.). London: H. K. Lewis, 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebelsky, F. G., Allinsmith, W., & Grinder, R. E. Resistance to temptation and sex differences in children’s use of fantasy confession. Child Developm., 1963, 34, 955–962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebelsky, F. G. An inquiry into the meanings of confession. Merrill-Palmer Quart., 1963, 9, 287–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roody, S. I. The plot completion test. J. experim. Educ, 1943, 12, 45–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, R. On the social psychology of the psychological experiment. Amer. Scientist, 1963, 51, 268–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sargeant, H. An experimental application of projective principles to a paper and pencil personality test. Psychol. Monogr., 1944, 57, (Whole No. 265) 1–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sargeant, H. Projective methods: Their origins, theory, and application in personality research. Psychol. Bull, 1945, 42, 257–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sargeant, H. The Insight Test: A Verbal Projective Test for Personality Study. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuman, E. P. A scoring rationale for the Sargent Test of Insight into Human Motives. J. proj. Tech., 1962, 26 (4), 462–468.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, A. A. Some interrelationships among four tests comprising a test battery: A comparative study. J. proj. Tech., 1950, 14, 153–172.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seaton, J. K. A projective experiment using incomplete stories with multiple-choice endings. Genet. Psychol Monogr., 1949, 40, 149–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. C. (Ed.), The Use of Projective Methods with the School-aged Child. Unpublished manuscript, Ohio State University, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teahan, J. E. Future time perspective, optimism, and academic achievement. J. abn. soc. Psychol, 1958, 57, 379–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, M. Methode des histories a completer pour le depistage des complexes et desconflits affectifs enfantins. Arch. Psychol, Geneve, 1937, 26, 209–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, M. Future time perspective in schizophrenia. J. abn. soc. Psychol, 1956, 52, 240–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisskopf-Joelson, E., & Wich, R. An experiment concerning the value of a ?picture-less TAT.? J.’ pro]. Tech., 1961, 25, 360–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wertham, F. The matricidal impulse. J. crimin. Psychopath., 1941, 2, (no. 4) (April).

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. W. (Ed.), The Study of Lives: Essays on Personality in Honor of Henry A. Murray. New York: Atherton Press, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woltmann, K. G. The use of puppetry as a projective method in therapy. In H. H. Anderson & G. L. Anderson (Eds.). An Introduction to Projective Techniques. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1951. p. 606–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wursten, H. Story Completions: Madeline Thomas stories and similar methods. In A. I. Rabin & M. R. Haworth (Eds.), Projective Techniques with Children. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1960. Pp. 192–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zucker, H. The emotional attachment of children to their parents as related to standards of behavior and delinquency. J. Psychol, 1943, 15, 31–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1968 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lansky, L.M. (1968). Story Completion Methods. In: Rabin, A.I. (eds) Projective Techniques in Personality Assessment. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-39575-2_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-39575-2_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-38701-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-39575-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics