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The perceived object has a meaning with relation to its environment and the process of finding such
meaning is called as apperception. We will understand the difference between perception and apperception with
the help of an example.

Look at the picture above. Try to identify various elements of the picture. You can identify three
main constituents of this picture : ‘a man’, ‘a road’ and ‘a signpost’. The conclusion about ‘a man’, ‘a
road’ and a ‘signpost’ are perception. Now, try to answer the following questions :
1 2
Who is the man in the picture ? What is the man doing in the picture ?

3 4
What are contents of the signpost ? What is the the object held by the man
in his right hand ?

5 6
What is the occupation of the man ? Why is the man staring at the signpost ?

The process of finding answer to the above mention questions is
apperception. Apperception is a highly individual process and two individuals
in all probability will only differ in finding answers to these questions. Thus, while
the process of assigning meaning to sensory input is perception, the process of
assigning meaning to perception is apperception.
Apperception brings out the individual differences perhaps in best way. In the TAT ,
,
being an unconscious test, the motives, forces, motivation, conflicts, defence mechanisms
are the main determinants of personality. These factors provide a force and patterned
direction to personality, which are unique to individual. Above all these factors are the
greatest determinants of psychological health on individual. For these considerations
the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is the most powerful test in the psychological
test battery. A good performance in the picture story test is a sure step towards
success. Half of the battle is won if you perform well in the TAT. Converse is also
true. It is only a wishful thinking to expect success with a bad performance
in TAT.

Lesson 14
TAT (Thematic Apperception Test)

Instructions for TAT—The Psychologist will give detailed instructions before conducting every
test. Instructions for the TAT will be like this :—
(1) Gentlemen, this is the first test of the battery of your psychological test, known as TAT
(Thematic Apperception Test). This is purely the test of your imagination. A number of pictures will be