In the world there are thousands of millions of people, each one with a unique and unrepeatable attitude, with their own experiences and experiences. It is difficult to understand exactly each action or thought of those around us; personality psychology tries to investigate this using techniques and tests to find out tendencies or behaviors.
However, at the beginning of studies in psychology, other types of techniques were formed to find out personality and the interpretation of personal experiences, these instruments are called projective techniques. Among these instruments we find the Rorschach test or the human figure drawing test. In this Psychology-Online article, we will show how to interpret the house, tree and person test, one of the most famous and effective projective techniques.
How to take the house, tree and person test
It is said that, when drawing, we project parts of our personality that are usually hidden in the unconscious; these parts are reflected in how we draw the different elements of the artistic composition. The important thing in this test is to know that there are no right or wrong answers, the results will be more reliable the more free we are in our expression.
As in most projective techniques, the house, tree and person test (also known as HTP) has fairly simple guidelines: we have to draw a house, a tree and a person on a piece of paper. or on any surface where the drawing can be clearly seen. Once we have the drawing done, an expert can interpret it or we can do it ourselves with the interpretation manual which we offer below.
Interpretation manual
First of all, it is important to point out that projective techniques do not serve as a diagnostic tool, they are used as support or a clue to investigate further into the personality of the person who took the test. Furthermore, this test It is usually done in children small since they have an easier time expressing something through a drawing. Below we offer some simple instructions to know How to interpret the house, tree and person test (HTP).
Meaning of the house
This element is related to the family aspects of our life, we associate the house with personal roots, home and stability. If you want to know more about the psychoanalytic interpretation of the drawing of the house, we recommend the following article about .
- House size: A large house is associated with joy, abundance and well-being, however, a small house can be a sign of introversion, fear and difficulty relating to others.
- Door: The door indicates the way in which we relate to the outside world. A large, open door, for example, can be a sign of extraversion and openness to others.
- Windows: This part of the drawing has a similar interpretation to the door: the way we draw the windows indicates the way we see the world. A house without windows can be a symptom of a poor relationship with the outside.
- Ceiling: The ceiling is usually associated with the most moral, ethical and conscious part of individuals. The most “conscious” part of ourselves is projected. A ceiling that is too large is usually associated with more idealistic people.
- Walls: This part of the home is little studied by the psychoanalysis community, however it is said that the walls reflect the internal strength of the individual. A broken wall is a sign of a psychological ailment.
- Other elements: Apart from the numerous elements mentioned, a series of characteristics that are also usually drawn must also be taken into account: the garden, a truck, animals…this last element, for example, usually represents emotional support.
Tree interpretation
This element usually projects the deepest part of our mind: the subconscious. From psychoanalysis it is stated that we can find out a lot about ourselves or the person who performs the test by interpreting the .
- Root and soil: Drawing roots well connected to the ground is usually a sign of security and a good emotional bond in the family. Its omission can mean extreme sensitivity and fear.
- The log: It is the part of the tree that is most representative of the perception we have about ourselves, it is linked to the idea of the “I” within the current of psychoanalysis.
- The branches: This element is related to the relationships we have with the outside world. Drawing a tree with many branches can be a sign of a large social support network. On the contrary, if the crown of the tree is rather poor, we may be talking about a personality. Introverted with few social interactions.
Interpretation of the drawing of the person
The last element that we must interpret is that of the person, this drawing is related to self-concept, the idea we have about ourselves and how we act towards other people. He helps us get to know ourselves a little better and how we see ourselves.
- How to draw the figure: If it starts somewhere other than the head, it may be a sign of poor cognitive development.
- Who he draws: The person taking the test can draw themselves, a television character, a family member… in any case, this aspect reflects the most important person that the individual has at that precise moment in their life.
- Expensive: The face of the drawing usually projects communication and sociability.
- Position: The place that the human figure occupies in the drawing is also a very important element to analyze, if it is in an upper corner it is usually a reflection of coping capacity (right corner) or need for attention (left corner). On the contrary, a centered figure shows a balanced and sensible personality.
The house, tree and person test in adults
As we have mentioned previously, this test is usually applied to the underage population, however, we can also try to have an adult perform the house, tree and person test and interpret its results. This tool was also used to analyze dynamics between the family (if many elements coincided, if there were indicators of problems, if the little ones showed conflicting drawings…).
Today, projective techniques have taken a backseat and other instruments are used to investigate the personality of individuals. These instruments are based on reliable and highly valid statistical methods. We suggest you take a look at our section if you want to take questionnaires that will help you get to know yourself and your environment a little better.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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