| This study examined interpersonal relatedness in Greeks and European Americans as measured with specific variables of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS). Prior research on culture, Greek cultural values, family relationships in Greece, and psychological assessment in Greece suggested that Greeks differ from European Americans in the interpersonal sphere. The variables examined were Good and Poor Human Representations (GHR, PHR), whole humans (H), human movement (M), cooperation (COP), food (Fd), texture (T), aggression (AG), reflections (Fr + rF), the isolation index ((Bt + 2Cl + Ge + Ls + 2Na)/R), and the ratio of pure human to non-pure human (H: Hd + (H) + (Hd)).; Participants for both, the Greek and the European American samples, were non-patient volunteers. Participants for the Greek sample were older than 21 years of age, had Greek heritage, and were residing in Greece. Participants were residents of Athens as well as residents of provincial areas including smaller cities and villages. Protocols were administered and coded using the Exner Comprehensive System by a Greek examiner. The European American sample was matched to the Greek sample according to age, gender, and years of education.; Repeated measures one-way ANOVA's and the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks test were used to analyze the data. Further, between-subjects one-way ANOVA's were performed to control statistically for three moderator variables, number of responses (R), form percentage (F%), and Perceptual Thought Index (PTI).; The findings of this study were mixed, Greeks and European Americans appear to be similar in the way they relate to others when some Rorschach variables are examined, but seem to be different with other variables. The results of comparisons of some variables present European Americans having healthier interpersonal relationships, having realistic impressions of others, engaging in collaborative activities with others, and being more dependent on others. When variables related to productivity and psychopathology were controlled, Greeks appeared to be the ones who had healthier interpersonal relationships. The Greek also appeared comfortable in social settings and able to identify with real persons easier than fleeing to fantasy.; Plausible explanations for the similarities and differences observed between the two samples in this study are offered. Further, interpretations of the shift in the results with statistical control of productivity and deviance are presented. The suggestion that differences observed between the groups are confounded with productivity and psychopathology implies that certain cultural factors as well as examination context factors are important to consider when making cross-cultural comparisons. |
