T H E M AT I C

A P P E RC E P T I O N
TEST

RACHEL S. SAMSON
4- 25 BSE VALUES
EDUCATION
HENRY M. MURRAY
May 13, 1893 - June 23, 1988
 Murray began
teaching psychology
and psychoanalytic
theory at Harvard,
and he remained
there for the rest of
his professional
career.

Although considered a
trait theorist, Murray's
medical background,
combined with his
 This is probably most
evident in his
development of the
THEMATIC
APPERCEPTION
TEST (TAT), a
personality test
designed to
determine personality
themes as well as
unconscious
motivation
.
He believed these
needs were largely at
the unconscious level.

After researching this

area, he narrowed
these needs down to
27, although the list
and names vary
DYNAMICS OF PERSONALITY

NEED
A need is a construct (a
convenient or hypothetical
concept) which stands free
for a force. In the brain
region, a force which
organizes perception,
apperception, intellection,
conation and action in such
a way as to transform in a
certain direction existing,
unsatisfying situation.
 BASIS FOR DISTINGUISHING
BETWEEN TYPES OF NEEDS.
1. Primary and Secondary Need
2. Overt and Covert Needs
3. Focal and Diffuse Needs
4. Proactive and Reactive Needs
5. Process activity, modal needs and effect
needs
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
ABASEMENT
To surrender and accept punishment
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
ACHIEVEMEN
T
To overcome obstacles and succeed
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
ACQUISITION

To obtain possessions
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
AFFILLIATION

To make associations and friendships

MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
AGGRESSION
To injure others
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
AUTONOMY
To resist other and stand
strong
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

BLAMEAVOIDANCE
To avoid blame and obey the rules
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

CONSTRUCTION
To build or create
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

CONTRARIANCE
To be unique
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
COUNTERACTION
To defend honor
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

DEFENDANCE
To justify actions
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

DEFERENCE
To follow a superior, to serve
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

DOMINANCE
To control and lead others
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

EXHIBITION
To attract attention
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
EXPOSITION
To provide information, educate
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

HARMAVOIDANCE
To avoid pain
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

INFAVOIDANCE
To avoid failure, shame, or to conceal a
weakness
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

NURTURANCE
To protect the helpless
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS
ORDER
To arrange, organize, and be precise
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

PLAY
To relieve tension, have fun, or relax
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

RECOGNITION
To gain approval and social status
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

REJECTION
To exclude another
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

SENTIENCE
To enjoy sensuous impressions
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

SEX
To form and enjoy an erotic relationship
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

SIMILANCE
To empathize
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

SUCCORANCE
To seek protection or sympathy
MURRAY'S PSYCHOGENIC NEEDS

UNDERSTANDING
To analyze and experience , to
seek knowledge
Theories of personality
based upon needs and
motives suggest that
our personalities are a
reflection of behaviors
controlled by needs.
 While some needs are
temporary and
changing, other needs
are more deeply seated
in our nature.

According to Murray,
these psychogenic
needs function mostly
on the unconscious
level, but play a major
role in our personality.
INTERRELATION OF
NEEDS

Prepotency
Conflict
Fusion of needs
Concept of
Subsidation
 HENRY MURRAY AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL

NEEDS
Murray from a Psychoanalytic Perspective
Murray used the term personology to
describe his study of human lives and
individual differences in personality
Murray described a habit system as
automatic, unconscious behaviors shaped
by the id, ego, and superego
Murray emphasized positive instincts
related to motivation and needs
Murray described a needs as a,
"potentiality or readiness to
respond in a certain way under
certain given circumstances"
(1938).