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Original Article

Dimensions of the Rorschach Comprehensive System

Parallel Analysis and Principal Component Analysis of a European Adult Nonpatient Sample

Published Online:January 04, 2017https://doi.org/10.1027/1192-5604/a000079

Abstract

Abstract. The objective of this study is to propose a preliminary comprehensive dimensional model of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (RCS). Three European adult nonpatient samples of the RCS were combined (Belgium, France, and Finland, N = 695). Principal component analysis was performed on primary scoring categories. Distribution issues were addressed by rank order transformation and the problem of R by partial correlations. The number of Components was determined through Parallel Analysis and resampling techniques (bootstrap and permutation). Twelve Components eigenvalues differed significantly from chance level (p < 0.0001). The obtained model provides a simplified representation of RCS data which accounts for 43% of the variance. This model brings new insights: Some variables traditionally considered as related belong to independent dimensions, and some others considered as independent appear related. These preliminary results set the stage for a new psychometrical approach of the RCS.

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