A re-evaluation of the motor inhibition--fantasy hypothesis.

Abstract

Summary Because support for the hypothesis that motor inhibition stimulates fantasy is based entirely on changes in the Rorschach M response, the generality of the phenomenon is in doubt and was tested by observing the effect of restricted motility on TAT productions, scored for fantasy with the Transcendence Index. The influences of general activity level and daydreaming tendency also were studied, as well as the hypothesis that motor inhibition specifically affects only fantasy about movement. No change in movement fantasy, non-movement fantasy, or total fantasy was found in the present study, suggesting that previous investigators may have overstated the case in inferring that total fantasy is stimulated by motor inhibition. Rather, some property specific to the M response may be involved, and some speculation about its nature is offered.