Qualitative differences in human figure drawings according to schizophrenic subtype.

Human figure drawings were obtained from 136 adult schizophrenics, of whom 63 were mentally retarded. The protocols were evaluated independently by three jduges for presence of 15 defined features that stressed the quality rather than specific content of the drawings. Adequate reliability and frequency were established for seven of the parameters, which were then compared for prevalence among subgroups classified by diagnosis, preognosis, chronicity, and level of retardation. Significant differences appeared for all comparisons and each of the analyzed features. The differences among non-retarded schizophrenic subgroups seemed to reflect phenomenological distinctions, while differences associated with intellectual retardation seemed to represent developmental limitations. These data supported the validity of the figure drawing technique for distinguishing among schizophrenic subtypes and underscored the importance of suitable methodology in evaluating projective measures.