Knee and Arm Joints in Human Figure Drawings as Indicants of Paranoid Trends: Replication and Extension

Abstract

The drawings of 30 paranoid schizophrenics and 30 chronic undifferentiated schizophrenics were examined. Chi square analysis indicated that presence of joints differentiated female paranoids from female non-paranoids but no difference was found between male diagnostic groups. When sexes were pooled, a pronounced tendency for the differentiation of diagnostic groups was present. A post hoc analysis revealed an extension of the significance of joints as paranoid indicants. The Schizophrenic Reaction, Paranoid Type group drew joints on the figures whose sex was opposite their own sex more often than did the Schizophrenic Reaction, Chronic Undifferentiated Type group (.05 > p > .02). It was hypothesized that joints are representative of focal points of tension, being indicative of the tension produced by the threat paranoids feel in heterosexual relationships.

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