| An existential-phenomenological psychological research methodology served as the approach for this attempt to describe experiences of self-revealing while responding to the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). Eight participants were administered six TAT Cards in the standard format followed by an interview consisting of specific questions and open dialogue focused on accessing descriptions of participants' experiences. NVivo was used to assist in discriminating themes from the transcripts of the participants' interviews reflecting an experience of self-revealing. These themed descriptions of self-revealing were then redescribed in terms of the research focus (redescribed thematic meaning units) through reflection and imaginative variation, providing a structured presentation of the essential aspects of the experience. As a result of this analysis, several common aspects of the experience of self-revealing while responding to the TAT were illuminated. Individual participants' experiences were incorporated in a consistent statement of the psychological structure of the experience of self-revealing. Additionally, the individual participants' experiences were presented within the context of their life-worlds. Significant redescribed thematic meaning units identified in the analysis included the participants' experiences of emotional and cognitive responses. The emotional responses varied, and often consisted of dysphoric emotional experiences. Cognitive responses often consisted of recollections. At times the participants described very vivid experiences, such as a reliving of a previous moment in their life. Some participants reflected the intensity of the self-revealing with overt physical responses such as crying or significantly changing their facial and body posture. Another aspect of the experience was participants' strong identification with a character in the pictures. Often the experience involved a sudden and unexpected self-revealing that was described by some participants as beneficial. The results of this study indicate that while it was a very singular experience for the individual, there were commonalities in the experience of self-revealing. The clinical utility of the method described here may reveal more about a person's experience while taking the TAT, as well as deepen an individual's awareness and sharing of the life-meaning of his or her stories. Implications for future research and limitations of the study are discussed.;Key words: thematic apperception test, self-revealing, existential-phenomenology, experience... |
