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Draw-A-Person Test (DAP)
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About Draw-A-Person Test (DAP)
Scale Name
Draw-A-Person Test (DAP) (also known as Goodenough–Harris Drawing Test)
Author Details
Florence Goodenough
Translation Availability
Multiple
Background/Description
The Draw-A-Person Test (DAP) was developed by Florence Goodenough in 1926 as a nonverbal measure of cognitive development in children. Initially designed as a tool to estimate children’s intelligence, the test involves asking the child to draw a picture of a person, and the resulting drawing is then scored based on specific criteria. Over time, the DAP has evolved to be used not only as a measure of intellectual functioning but also as a projective test to assess personality traits and emotional functioning.
The DAP is grounded in the assumption that the way a child draws a person reflects their cognitive maturity, intellectual abilities, and, when used in a projective context, underlying emotional issues. The simplicity and ease of administration have made the DAP a popular tool in educational and clinical settings, particularly when working with young children who may struggle with more traditional forms of assessment.
In the original version, Goodenough introduced a scoring system based on the presence or absence of specific features in the drawing, such as the head, body, limbs, and facial features. The DAP has since been adapted and expanded, with various scoring methods developed to interpret both cognitive and emotional aspects of the drawings.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Preparation: Provide the child with a blank sheet of paper and a pencil or crayon. Ensure that the environment is comfortable and free of distractions.
- Instructions: Instruct the child to “draw a picture of a person.” Do not provide any additional guidance or hints, as the goal is to capture the child’s spontaneous drawing ability.
- Observation: While the child is drawing, observe their behavior, such as hesitations, self-corrections, or emotional reactions, as these can provide additional insights during interpretation.
- Completion: Once the drawing is complete, ask the child if they would like to add anything else to their drawing. Afterward, the drawing can be analyzed.
- Scoring: The DAP can be scored using various methods, depending on the purpose of the assessment. For cognitive assessment, the original Goodenough scoring system is often used, focusing on the presence and quality of specific features. For projective analysis, the drawing is interpreted based on psychological theories, considering factors such as the size of figures, placement on the page, and omitted body parts.
Reliability and Validity
The reliability and validity of the Draw-A-Person Test vary depending on its application. As a measure of cognitive development, the DAP has been found to have moderate reliability, particularly when scored using standardized criteria. However, its validity as an intelligence test has been questioned, with some studies suggesting that it should not be used in isolation for assessing intellectual functioning.
As a projective measure, the DAP has been used to explore emotional and personality traits, but its validity is more controversial. Projective interpretations require a high level of expertise and are often supplemented with other assessment tools to provide a comprehensive understanding of the individual being assessed.
Despite these concerns, the DAP remains a widely used tool in educational and clinical settings, particularly for its ease of administration and the rich qualitative data it can provide.
Available Versions
Maltiple-Items
Reference
Goodenough, F. L. (1926). Measurement of intelligence by drawings. New Yock: Harcourt, Brace, & World.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP)?
A: The DAP is a nonverbal assessment tool used to measure cognitive development in children and, in some cases, to explore emotional and personality traits through projective analysis.
Q: Who developed the Draw-A-Person Test?
A: The DAP was developed by Dr. Florence Goodenough in 1926.
Q: How is the DAP administered?
A: The DAP is administered by asking the child to draw a picture of a person, and the drawing is then scored or interpreted based on specific criteria.
Q: What does the DAP measure?
A: The DAP can measure cognitive development and intellectual abilities and, when used projectively, may provide insights into emotional functioning and personality traits.
Q: How reliable is the DAP?
A: The reliability of the DAP as a cognitive measure is moderate, but its validity as an intelligence test and projective measure is more controversial and should be interpreted cautiously.
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