White space responses in the Rorschach: Using eye-tracking to further understand the distinction between space reversal and space integration

This study investigated eye movements associated with the production of different Rorschach responses involving the use of the inkless (or "white space") areas of the inkblots. More specifically, we examined whether Space Integration (SI) and Space Reversal (SR) responses associated with different test-taker's approaches to visually inspecting the Rorschach inkblots while completing the test. We retrieved archival data from 71 non-clinical volunteers who took the Rorschach test while their eye movements were being registered. The results of our analyses indicated that: (a) SI, but not SR, positively associated with the overall number of eye fixations recorded while scanning the Rorschach inkblots; (b) SR, but not SI, associated with a proportionally greater visual focus (i.e., greater number of fixations and longer duration of fixations) on white than non-white areas of inkblots. Taken together, these findings support Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) determination to interpret SI and SR responses differently.