“The drawing that a patient makes of a human

figure represents the self in the environment.

The actual presentation of the self may reflect
the patient’s deepest wishes; it may reflect and
expose a painful physical or emotional defect; it
may be a vigorous compensation for this defect;
or it may be a combination of all these
factors.”(Handler, 1985, p.77 cited in Mitchell, J.
et al, 1993)
 The analysis of human figure drawings is
widely used as a qualitative clinical
assessment technique.
 It is based upon the pioneering work of Karen
Machover and others during the 1940’s and
have been deeply rooted in projective-
analytic theory.
 Projective-analytic theory is based on the
assumption that deep and often unconscious
feelings and motives may be accessed
through various means of self-expression.
 The drawing of a human figure was seen by
Machover as an ideal vehicle for that self-
expression.
 From Machover through Urban (1963) and
Handler (1985), human figure drawings have
been interpreted on the basis of variations in
such characteristics as size, placement on the
page, apparent rigidity of the drawn figure,
drawing proportion, aesthetic appearance, line
quality, gender issues, clothing, and omissions,
to mention only a few of the traditionally
interpretable drawing components.
 The HFDT is designed to enhance the time-
honored projective analytic aspect of human
figure drawing analysis.
 Projective hypotheses are incorporated as a
part of this approach.
 The unique contribution of the HFDT is the
application of empirical data to assist in
qualitative analysis.
 The HFDT is designed to provide an objective
approach based on a traditionally projective
clinical assessment.
 Normative standards for drawings have been
presented by Urban (1963) and Handler
(1985).
 Standards for normal and clinical populations
were used and formed the basis for the
HFDT’s quantitative scoring system.
 The HFDT is based on a traditional projective
drawing technique designed to support both
quantitative and qualitative clinical
interpretation of human figure drawings.
 The test taker is asked to draw his or her best
representation of two human figures (one of
each gender) on the HFDT drawing form (WPS
Catalog no. W-286C).
 The drawings are then evaluated to generate
clinical interpretive hypotheses, and the
same-sex drawing is scored to obtain an
estimate of the individual’s level of cognitive
functioning.
 Scaled scores, including an overall
Impairment score, Distortion and
Simplification scores, and an Organic Factors
Index are provided along with easy access to
both quantitative and qualitative interpretive
support.
 Some support is also provided for the
qualitative evaluation of human figure
drawings by children, although the
quantitative scoring system was developed
with adults.
 A Scoring Sheet, a Score Summary Sheet, an
Interpretation Guide, and a Profile Sheet are
all contained in the HFDT Autoscore Form
(WPS Catalog No. W-286B), which allows all
essential information from a drawing session
to be recorded and stored in an integrated,
consistent way. The Autoscore Form’s
Interpretation Guide is a convenient feature
for both new and experienced users, allowing
immediate reference to common interpretive
concepts for each scored drawing feature.
 Human figure drawing has a place in several
areas of clinical activity. The task can be
viewed as in initial behavior sample that
allows the clinician to assess an individual’s
reactions to a fairly unstructured situation.
 For diagnostic purposes, the HFDT provided
information that when linked with other
interview and assessment tools, can reveal an
individual’s general conflicts and concerns as
well as specific aspects of the environment
that he or she finds troublesome.
 In ongoing therapy, projective drawings can
reflect overall changes in an individual’s
psychological state.
 The HFDT allows the clinician to compare an
individual’s drawing to the drawings of
people in nonclinical settings as well as to the
drawings of psychiatric patients diagnosed as
depressive, antisocial, manic, paranoid,
schizophrenic, organic, and mentally
retarded.
 The drawing can be evaluated in terms of
cognitive impairment level based on the
number of variations from normative
standards.
 As with any clinical interpretative system, this
one should be used with caution. Diagnostic
impressions should be formulated from a
comprehensive information base, with
reference to an individual’s history, course of
dysfunction, and mental status, as well as the
results of a comprehensive test battery.
 The HFDT is most suitable for use with
individuals over 15 years of age. The
engaging nature of the drawing task makes it
especially well suited for use in any situation
where direct verbal communication about
conflict material is unlikely because of
obstacles to motivation verbal ability.
 Users of the HFDT should have training and
supervised clinical experience with
individually administered clinical instruments.
 Anyone using this technique who is not
experienced in the area of qualitative as well as
quantitative assessment should work with a
supervising clinician until a mutually-agreed
upon level of skill in administration and
interpretation is achieved.
 The HFDT materials are only a guide for the
generation of clinical hypotheses. The degree of
certainty with which a particular hypotheses may
be applied to a given individual will always
depend upon additional information, such as the
patient’s clinical history, the presenting problem,
and results of additional assessment procedures.
 Usually taken in a one-to-one setting as part
of an initial assessment for a referred
individual or for the purpose of monitoring
patient status during an ongoing therapeutic
process.
 When being taken as part of an assessment
battery, these drawings can be used as an
initial rapport-building task or a transitional
task between paper-and-pencil assessment
and a clinical interview.
 It should be noted that although a standard
inquiry about the drawings is not required for
the HFDT, informal questions about the
identity of the drawn figures and about the
ideas associated with various aspects of the
drawings can often bring into the therapeutic
setting valuable information about the
intrapsychic and environmental pressures
affecting the client.
 Area should be quiet and free from distractions.
 Client should be seated at a table in a
comfortable position for drawing.
 The HFDT takes 5-20 minutes to administer
depending upon whether the clinician chooses to
ask about the client’s associations to the
drawings once they are completed.
 Scoring can be done in 5 minutes or less,
depending upon the clinician’s level of
experience with the technique. The amount of
time required to make a qualitative evaluation of
the drawing will vary with the clinician’s level of
experience.
 HFDT Drawing Form
 Pencil no. 2 or softer
 HFDT Autoscore Form
 Ballpoint pen
 Ask the client to draw a person.
 Upon completion, ask him to draw a person of
the opposite sex from the person drawn first.
Note the gender of the figure depicted in the first
drawing.
 If the client attempts to draw a stick figure or
partial figure, ask him or her to draw a regular,
whole person instead. If the client continues to
draw only a stick figure or a partial figure, he or
she should be allowed to continue without
further interference or instruction.
 You should have a clear view of the page while
the client is drawing so that you can note the
sequence in which the details of the figure are
drawn and observe any unusual events or
deviations in the client’s mood or attitude during
the drawing session. After the session, record
these observations and any unusual comments or
behaviors. You should note and record whether
the client rotates the page, although this is not
scored, and also the amount of time taken to
begin and to complete each drawing, although
there is no time limit. This information will aid
the qualitative evaluation of the drawings.
 Quantitative Evaluation
◦ Impairment Scale
◦ Distortion and Simplification Scales
◦ Organic Factors Index

Qualitative Evaluation
General observations
Item interpretation
 Mitchell, J. Et al (1993). Human Figure
Drawing Test (HFDT): an illustrated handbook
for clinical interpretation and standardized
assessment of cognitive impairment. USA:
Western Psychological Services (WPS).