Effect of Manipulation of Children's Affect on Their Family-Drawings

Abstract

Summary Drawing pattern changes elicited following experimental manipulation of young children's self-esteem lent support to the notion that dynamic defensive processes are reflected in drawings. Some global drawing patterns previously identified were used to score drawings because of the primitive drawing skills of the 4- and 5-year-old Ss. Criticism of Ss' toy building capacity elicited drawing patterns of constriction-impoverishment; supportive comments during a play therapy session elicited expansion-improvement. Findings and observations were related to theory of cognitive-defensive style.