HUM A N F IG U R E

D R A W I NG
 1. POOR INTEGRATION OF PARTS OF FIGURE

• POOR CORDINATION
• IMPULSIVITY
2. SHADING OF FACE

• REFLECTS ANXIETY SPECIALLY TO THAT PARTICULAR PART

• PROBLEMS IN COMMUNICATION
• MAY ALSO RELATED TO GUILT
3. SHADING OF BODY AND/OR LIMBS

• BODY ANXIETY
• SHADING OF ARMS REFLECT GUILT FEELINGS FOR AGGRESSIVE IMPULSES OR MASTURBATORY
ACTIVITIES
4. SHADING OF HANDS AND/OR NECK

• STEALING BEHAVIOR
• ANXIETY
• PHYSICAL AGGRESSION
5. GROSS ASYMMETRY OF LIMBS

• IMBALANCE IN LIFE
• NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT
If both part of the
figure is not
measured equal
 6. FIGURE SLANTING BY 15 DEGREES OR
MORE
BRAIN INJURED
AGGRESSIVE
SHY
PSYCHOSOMATIC COMPLAINTS
STEALING BEHAVIOR
GENERAL INABILITY AND A SENSE OF LACK OF BALANCE
FEELINGS OF MENTAL IMBALANCE
LACK OF SENSE OF SECURE FOOTING
YOU ARE GOING TO FALL DOWN
7. TINY FIGURE
• Shy
• Not overtly aggressive
• Extreme withdrawal 2 inches or less than 2
• Insecurity
• Depression
• Low self esteem
8. BIG FIGURE 9” OR MORE IN HEIGHT
• AGGRESSIVE
• STEALING TENDENCY
• EXPANSIVENESS
• IMMATURITY
• POOR INNER CONTROLS
• FEELINGS OF NARCISSISM
• PARANOID DELUSIONS OF GRANDIOSITY
• PSYCHOPATHIC TENDENCIES
 9. TRANSPARENCIES
• STEALING BEHAVIOR (RELATING WITH IMPULSE CONTROL)
• Presence of belly button
• OVERTLY AGGRESSIVE • Presence of nipples
• IMMATURITY • Making internal organs
• IMPULSIVITY
• ACTING OUT BEHAVIOR
• AREA PARTICULAR TRANSPARENCY
• ANXIETY AND CONCERN RELATING TO THAT AREA
• POOR JUDGMENT
• TRANSPARENCY OF TOES FROM WITHIN THE SHOW
• PATHOLOGICAL AGGRESSIVENESS
10. TINY HEAD
Total height x 1/10

• INTENSE FEELINGS OF INTELLECTUAL INADEQUACY

• OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE INDIVIDUALS’ WISH TO CONTROL THEIR THOUGHTS AND DESIRE TO INDULGE IN
THE COMPULSIONS/IMPULSES
11. CROSSED EYES

• HOSTILE TOWARDS OTHERS

• REBELLIOUS AND ANGRY
• NOT WILLING TO LOOK AT WORLD
12. TEETH

• OVERTLY AGGRESSIVE
13. SHORT ARMS
If on arm is long and other is short
it’s the indicator
• PSYCHOSOMATIC COMPLAINTS
• SHY
• DIFFICULTY REACHING TOWARD OTHERS
• WITHDRAWN
• INHIBITIONS OF IMPULSES
• TIMID
• LACK OF AGGRESSION
14. LONG ARMS

• OVERTLY AGGRESSIVE
• AGGRESSIVE REACHING OUT
• NEED FOR ACQUISITION, STRIVING FOR LOVE AND AFFECTION
 15. ARMS CLINGING TO THE SIDE OF THE BODY

• RIGID INNER CONTROL

• DIFFICULTY REACHING OUT TOWARD OTHERS
• POOR INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS; WITHDRAWAL TENDENCIES
• LACK OF FLEXIBILITY
• PARANOID AND SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS
•
16. BIG HANDS
• OVERLY AGGRESSIVE
• ACTING-OUT BEHAVIORS INVOLVING HANDS
• FEELINGS OF PHYSICAL AND/OR EMOTIONAL INADEQUACY
• DIFFICULTY MAKING CONTACT WITH OTHERS
• GUILT OVER THE USE OF HANDS
17.HANDS CUT OFF (ARMS WITHOUT HANDS OR FINGERS)

• FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY
• GUILT OVER FAILURE TO ACT CORRECTLY
• INABILITY TO ACT AT ALL OR PERFORM
• FEELING OF GUILT OVER STEALING OR LACK OF ACHIEVEMENT
• CASTRATION ANXIETY
 18. LEGS PRESSED TOGETHER
• PSYCHOSOMATIC COMPLAINTS
• TENSENESS
• RIGID ATTEMPT TO CONTROL SEXUAL IMPULSES
• CONCERN OVER SEXUAL ATTACK BY OTHERS
• REJECTION OF SEXUAL APPROACH BY OTHERS
19. GENITALS

• POOR IMPULSE CONTROL

• ACUTE BODY ANXIETY
• SERIOUS INDICATOR OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
20. MONSTERS OR GROTESQUE FIGURES

• INTENSE FEELINGS OF FAILURE

• VERY POOR SELF-CONCEPT
• PERCEPTION OF BEING DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS
• FEELINGS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO FIT IN
• SELF DIRECTED CONTEMPT AND HOSTILITY
21. THREE OR MORE FIGURES SPONTANEOUSLY DRAWN

• LACKING IN FEELINGS OF IDENTITY

• BEING COMPLETE OR WHOLE PERSON IN THEIR OWN RIGHT
• FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY
22. CLOUDS, RAIN, SNOW

• VERY ANXIOUS INDIVIDUALS

• PSYCHOSOMATIC COMPLAINTS
• SELF-DIRECTED ANGER
• INWARD AGGRESSION (CAN’T STRIKE OUT AT OTHERS)
• UNDER PRESSURE FROM ABOVE
23.OMISSION OF EYES

• CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT INDICATOR

• SOCIALLY ISOLATED
• DENIAL OF PROBLEMS
• REFUSAL TO FACE THE WORLD, ESCAPE INTO FANTASY
• POOR SOCIAL INTEREST
 24. OMISSION OF NOSE
• PSYCHOSOMATIC COMPLAINTS
• SHY
• WITHDRAWN BEHAVIOR
• LACK OF OVERT AGGRESSION
• MASTURBATION GUILT
• CASTRATION ANXIETY
• SYMBOL OF FORWARD STRIVING AND INDEPENDENCE
• FEELING OF IMMOBILITY AND HELPLESSNESS
• LACK OF SELF-ASSURANCE
 25. OMISSION OF MOUTH
• PSYCHOSOMATIC COMPLAINTS
• ANXIETY
• INSECURITY
• WITHDRAWAL
• PASSIVE RESISTANCE
• INABILITY OR REFUSAL TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS
• FEAR, PERFECTIONISM AND DEPRESSION
26. OMISSION OF BODY
• MENTAL RETARDATION
• IMMATURITY DUE TO DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY
• EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE
• BODY ANXIETY
• CASTRATION FEAR
27. OMISSION OF ARMS

• ANXIETY
• GUILT OVER USAGE OF ARMS IN SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE ACTIVITIES
• GUILT OVER HOSTILITY OR SEXUALITY
• DEPRESSION/WITHDRAWN
28. OMISSION OF LEGS

• INTENSE ANXIETY AND INSECURITY

29. OMISSION OF FEET

• INSECURITY
• HELPLESSNESS
30. OMISSION OF NECK

• POOR IMPULSE CONTROL

• ILLOGICAL
• POOR COORDINATION SKILLS
NON VALID EMOTIONAL INDICATORS
• 31. BIG HEAD
• 32. VACANT EYE OR NONSEEING EYES
• 33. SIDEWAY GLANCE OF BOTH EYES
• 34. HIDDEN HANDS
• 35. FIGURE CUT OFF BY THE EDGE OF THE PAPER
• 36. BASELINE OR GRASS
• 37. THE SUN OR MOON
• 38. BROKEN OR SKETCHY LINES
Human Figure Drawing Test
Interpretations
Psychology
University of the Punjab
13 pag.

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 Interpretations for Human Figure Draw
Hair

Drawing Expression D
Hair given much attention • Narcissism C
• Homosexual trend Sx
• Infantile or repressed sex drives. Sx
Hair emphasis (shaded) • Sensuality or sensual needs Sx
• Virility symbol Sx
Hair on female • Regression D
Hair emphasis with heavy shading • Anxiety over sexual needs possibly Sx
Balding male figures, hair white on male • Feeling of masculine insufficiency and lack of virility Sx
figures
Hair parted in middle, head split • Feminine identification dealt with by narcissism and Sx
obsessive-compulsive mechanisms
Sparse, unpressured hair • Inadequate virility Sx
Hair mussed • Sexual acting out (sexual immorality) Sx
Hair reinforced • Assaultiveness Sx

Head

Head clearly indicated •

Feeling of anxiety or of inferiority relative to body Sy
functions
Appendages attached to head • Immaturity + primitive characters structure C
• Regression D
• Mental retardation + (denial or repression of physical I
drives-children as subjects)
Large head • Paranoid + concern about sufficiency of intellect P
(brain-damaged, retarded) + (emphasis on fantasy ;
children as subjects)
• Fantasy preoccupied + intellectual aspirations (with Sy
possible grandiosity) + over-ideational subject +
pride over intellect
• Introspection T
Head enlarged on opposite sex • Opposite sex viewed as smarter or as possessing Ob
greater social authority
Head drawn last • Thought disorder possibly P Ob
• Conflict over interpersonal relations
Hat plus buttons, hat but no clothes, hat • Regression D
on nude figure
Hat crease • Fantasy relative to female genitalia Sx
Head malformed • Organicity Or
Hat transparent • Primitive sexual behavior Sx
Profile head • Poor judgment Sy
Profile head, full face body • Social anxiety with need for contact Sy
Head dim • Self-consciousness Sy
Features dim with emphasis on head • Timidity Sy
contour
Face turned toward page so that back of • Withdrawal Sy
head shows

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 Face

Facial expression self-preoccupied •

Prevailing attitude and mood At
• Schizoid C
Confusion of full face and profile • Schizophrenia P
• Mental retardation I
• Primitive cultural origin Sy
Beard, moustache, other facial hair • Doubts about activity with compensatory virility Sx
(male subject) striving + sexual inadequacy possibly
Entreating facial expression • Conception of self as dependent, helpless, Sy
insignificant
Facial scars on same-sex figure • Impaired self-esteem + possible expectation of Sy
aggression from environment + possible
symbolization of psychic trauma
Facial expression placating • Insecurity Sy
Face dim • Self-consciousness + shyness Sy
Full face view • Social dependency + social accessibility Sy
• Social communication T

Eye

Eye a circle (no pupil) • Egocentricity + immaturity C

• Egocentric hysteric N
• Regression D
Eye large, no pupil • Voyeuristic tendency with guilt Sx
Eye closed • Schizoid C
Eye small • Self-absorption C
• Voyeuristic tendency Sx
Eyes large • Homosexual trend Sx
Eye a dot with pressure, unenclosed eye • Paranoid P
emphasized, large, staring. • Ideas of reference Sy
Eye emphasized • Aggression externalized or overt Sy
Eye prominent • Assaultiveness + mach-over indices differentiating Sy
assaultive from nonassualtive subjects
Eye reinforced • Assaultiveness Sy

Eye Brow

Trim eye brow • Disdain At

• Refinement T
Eye brow brushy • Uninhibitedness T

Eye Lashes

Lashes long • Coquettishness + seductiveness + self-display Sx

Lashes large; Lashes on male • Homosexual trend Sx

Nose

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 Nose broad, flared, hooked • Contemptuous attitudes + tendency to think in terms At
of derisive social stereotypes
Nose large. • Involutional patients P Sx
• Sexual impotency + felt inadequate male role in
adolescents with striving for adequate male role
Nose strong • Masculine assertion or need for it Sx
Sy
Nose cut off • Castration fears and wishes Sy
Nose shaded • Castration which may be projected on opposite sex Sy
Nostrils • Primitive aggression Sy

Mouth

Mouth emphasized • Alcoholism possibly Ad

• Possible regression D
Concave mouth • Dependency + passive dependent (oral dependent) C
Mouth heavy line, single-line mouth • Passive-aggressive (oral aggressive) C
Mouth heavy line • Sadism Sy
Mouth markedly full, open or oval • Oral-eroticism C
Mouth open • Orality C
Mouth omitted • Asthmatic So
Mouth omitted on female figure • Scolding maternal figure possibly Ob
Mouth clownlike • Forced amiability + inappropriate effect Sy

Teeth

Teeth shown • Passive-aggressive (oral aggressive) C

• simple schizophrenic + sadism P
Teeth well defined • Aggressive tendencies Sy

Lips

Lips full on male • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx

Lips on male figure unusually emphasized • Homosexual trend Sx
or large and rounded
Straw / toothpick between lips • Primitive oral-eroticism Sx
Cigarette or pipe between lips • Sophisticated oral-eroticism Sx

Chin

Chin emphasize • Compensation for inadequacy + indecision + fear of Sy

responsibility
Chin emphasized on opposite sex • Dependency on opposite sex + opposite sex viewed Ob
as stronger
Chin enlarged • Aggressive tendencies Sy
Chin exaggerated • Compensation for felt guilt + indecision Sy

Ear

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 Ear emphasized or enlarged • Schizoid C
• Auditory hallucinations + paranoid + schizophrenia P
• Passive homosexual conflict or tendency
• Ear injury or hearing disability + ideas of reference + Sx
sensitivity to attitudes of others + sensitivity to Sy
criticisim

Neck

Neck omission • Immaturity C

• Lack of impulse control Sy
• Regression D
Neck long • Schizoid C
• Hysterical swallowing inhibition So
• Problems with control of anger or primitive drives Sy
Neck excessively large • Awareness of physical impulses with effort to control Sy
them
Neck short, thick • Self-indulgence C
• Uninhibited impulse expression T
Narrow neck • Depression N
Neck like giraffe • Schizophrenia P
Neck thin • Repression D
V-neckline on female, male subject • Breast fixation + voyeuristic tendency Sx
Neck emphasis (children as subjects) • Need for defensive intellectual control Sy

Shoulders

Shoulders massive on male • Compensation for felt inadequacy (male subject) D

Shoulders exaggerated or other masculine • Feeling of masculine insufficiency and lack of virility Sx
details
Shoulders wide on female • Sexual conflict Sx
Shoulders squared • Aggressive tendencies Sy
Shoulders drooping • Dejection D
• Guilt + lack of drive energy and vitality Sy
Broad shoulders • Physical power drive T

Breasts

Breasts small •
Maternal figure un-nurturing Ob
Breast area emphasized, buckle, buttons • Dependency C
on clothing over breast of figure • Affectional deprivation + identification with mother Ob
possibly
Breast emphasis male subject • Passive dependent (oral dependent) C
Breast emphasis, female subject • Feminine identification with dominant mother Sx
Breast emphasis, female figure, male • Maternal dependency and domination Ob
subject
Breast area emphasized • Homosexual trend + sexual immaturity Emotional Sx
Immaturity + insecurity Sy
Buttons • Immaturity C

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 Body

Body emphasis (under-clothed) • Egocentricity + shizoid C

Body of lower area of female visible • Involutional sex problems (male subject) Sx
through transparent skirt
Body omitted (no trunk) •
Immaturity + primitive characters structure C
• Regression D Sy
• Mental retardation +(denial or repression of physical
drives-children as subjects)
Dim line body or no body • Feeling of anxiety or of inferiority relative to body I
functions
Body distortions • Psychotic tendency P
Full bodies with shaded or thin legs. • Feeling of decline associated with advancing age So

Hat clearly indicated / dim line body or no • Compensatory fantasy D

body
Trunk incomplete • Regression D

Trunk rounded • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx

Trunk rounded (male subject) •
Homosexual trend Sx
Trunk not closed at bottom • Sexual preoccupation Sx
Emphasis on circles in depicting body • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx
Curved lines on body of male • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx
Angular body ; trunk angular or square • Masculine tendencies or masculinity Sx
Angular body • Aggressive tendencies + criticality Sy
Elongated anatomical areas • Phallic symbol Sy
Emphasis on circles in depicting body • Submissiveness Sx

Arms

Arms long •
Ambition for accomplishment or acquisition T
Arms long, weak, over extended • Dependency + asthmatic C
• Desire for affection Ob
• Nurturance needs So
Arms long and powerful • Need for autonomy T
Large arms • Assaultiveness + guilt Sy
Arms omitted • Depression N
• Schizophrenia P
• Withdrawal Sy
Armless figure of male (male subject) • Strong sexual drive associated with guilt + wish to be Sx
castrated
Arms heavy, shaded on opposite sex • Opposite sex viewed as punishing Ob
Arms omitted or short arms on opposite • Rejection by maternal or paternal figure of opposite Ob
sex sex
Arms long and hands prominent, female • Wish for protective maternal figure (male subject) Ob
figure
Arms extended from body and over-long • Aggression externalized or overt Sy

Arms tapering • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx

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Arm distortion or reinforcement (left side, • Sexual role conflict or confusion Sx
male figure, male subject)
Arms out with fists clenched •
Aggressive tendencies Sy
Arms of male figure large • Assaultiveness Sy
Arms reinforced • Assaultiveness Sy
Arms dangling by sides • Conception of self as dependent + helpless + Sy
insignificant
Arms pressed by sides • Difficulty in social contact + fear of aggressive Sy
impulses + passivity as defense against aggressive
impulses
Arms close to body • Tension Sy

Ankle

Skirt ankle length on female (male • Maternal figure Ob

subject)
Ankle small • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx

Wrist

Wrist small • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx

Hands

Hands in pockets • Antisocial personality (psychopath) C

Hands behind back or in pockets • Evasion + guilt + lack of confidence Sy
Hands hidden • Difficulty with interpersonal relations Ob
• Masturbatory guilt Sx
Hands omitted, dim • Inadequacy + schizoid C
Hands dim • Lack of confidence in productivity of social contact Sy
Hands shaded • Anxiety over interpersonal relations Ob
• Masturbatory guilt Sx
• Guilt over aggression Sy
Hands of female figure in pelvic area • Female regarded as sexually rejecting Ob
(male subject)
Hands omitted on female figure • Maternal figure regarded as rejecting, unloving, un- Ob
supportive
Hand at genital area • Autoeroticism Sx
Hands extended behind back in anal area • Homoerotic conflicts Sx
Hands emphasized • Aggression externalized or overt Sy
Hands powerful • Aggressive tendencies Sy
Hands large • Compensation for felt guilt and weakness Sy
Finger-less hands • Insecurity Sy
Mitten hands • Repressed aggression Sy
Fists clenched or closed • Repressed aggression Sy
• Rebellion T

Fingers

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 Grape fingers • Immaturity C
Fingers, fingernails carefully depicted • Compulsive body image problem, as in early P
schizophrenia
Claw fingers, Spear fingers, talon fingers • Paranoid P

Claw fingers •
Aggression externalized or overt Sy
Short fingers • Anxiety Sy
Long fingers • Regression D
Large fingers • Assaultiveness Sy
Long fingers, spear fingers • Aggression externalized or overt Sy
Stick fingers • Assaultiveness + infantile aggression + Mach-over Sy
indices differentiating assaultive from nonassualtive
subjects
Finger omitted or over-extended • Masturbatory guilt Sx
More than five fingers • Aggressive tendencies Sy
• Ambition. T

Less than five fingers • Helplessness Sy

Fingers, no hands • Assaultiveness + infantile aggression Sy
Fingers reinforced • Assaultiveness Sy
Shaded fingers • Guilt (as masturbation or theft) Sy
Grape fingers; petal fingers • Infantile traits + insecurity Sy
Scissors fingers • Subject is castrating or views maternal or parental Sy
figures as castrating
Fingers without hands • Mach-over indices differentiating assaultive from Sy
nonassualtive subjects
Fingers with carefully indicated joints and • Obsessive control of aggression Sy
nails
Fingers articulated carefully and cut off • Repressed aggression + withdrawal Sy
by line

Knuckle

Knuckle emphasis • Schizoid C

• Schizophrenia P
• Maternal dependency Ob
• Psychosexual immaturity Sx

Waist

Waist narrow (male subject) • Homosexual trend Sx

Back

Back of male figure to observer, male • Desire to be a woman + feminine identification (men) Sx
subject

Buttock

Buttock emphasis; buttocks on male • Homosexual trend Sx

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figure unusually emphasized or large and
rounded
Buttocks emphasized • Sexual conflict Sx

Hip

Hip emphasis on male figure • Homosexual trend Sx

(male subject)

Legs

Shaded legs • Homosexual anxiety Sx

Legs tapering • Feminine tendency (effeminacy) Sx
Legs show through; pants transparent • Homosexual anxiety Sx
Leg distortion or reinforcement (left side, • Sexual role conflict or confusion Sx
male figure, male subject)
Legs masculine on female figure • Sexual role conflict or confusion Sx
Legs of male figure large • Assaultiveness Sy
Legs reinforced • Assaultiveness Sy
Legs omitted • Discouragement + withdrawal Sy
Profile legs • Poor judgment Sy
Legs long • Need for autonomy T

Feet

Feet omitted or dim • Schizoid C

•
Discouragement Sy
Feet omitted • Withdrawal Sy
Feet and legs drawn first • Depression N
• Discouragement N
Foot of male emphasized • Involutional impotency Sx
Phallic foot • Sexual inadequacy and preoccupation Sx
Foot emphasized • Assaultiveness Sy
• Mach-over indices differentiating assaultive from Sy
nonassualtive subjects
Feet small (male subject) • Insecurity Sy
Feet on base of page • Need for stability because of disturbance produced by Sy
a conflict
Shoes shaded • Insecurity Sy

Heel

High heel on male (male subject) • Homosexual trend Sx

Organs

Organs shown • Manic tendency P

• Somatic delusions P

Internal organs shown (internal anatomy), • Schizophrenia P

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 sex organ shown • Somatic delusions So
•Professional artists Sx
• Analysands Si
Shading in sexual areas • Anxiety relative to sexual function Sx

Female sex characteristics under- • Constricted erotic response (women) Sx

emphasized, female subject
Sexual anatomy area distorted or omitted • Sexual conflict Sx

Joints

Joints emphasis •
Schizoid C
• Schizophrenia P
• Maternal dependency Ob
• Psychosexual immaturity Sx
Joints carefully depicted • Compulsive body image problem, as in early P
schizophrenia

Clothing

Clothing foppish (overclothed) •

Antisocial personality (psychopath) C St
• Need for social approval and dominance
Clothing carefully rendered, over-clothed • Egocentricity C
Clothing carefully rendered • Immaturity C St
• Over-concern for material criteria for social status
Clothing detail elaboration • Homosexual trend Sx
Clothing transparent (body visible) • Voyeuristic tendency Sx
Clothing elaboration, grooming • Emphasis on possession and social prestige St
Clothes ill-fitting • Unsatisfying social status St
Uniformed cowboy or soldier (male figure • Need for greater status and recognition than subject St
of male subject) feels he possesses
Body of lower area of female visible • Sexual fantasies Sx
through transparent skirt (male subject) • Sexual preoccupation Sx
Pockets • Dependency C
Handkerchief of coat pocket emphasized • Sexual inadequacy Sx

Buttons • Inadequacy C
•
Maternal dependency Ob
• Insecurity Sy
Buttons in midline • Somatic preoccupation So
• Maternal dependency Ob
Pocket • Maternal dependency Ob
Tie emphasized • Homosexual trend Sx
Tie flying or swept out • Overt sexual aggression Sx
Trouser fly • Masturbatory preoccupation Sx
Figure clothed with toes exposed • Aggressive tendencies Sy
Collar tight • Problem with control of anger or primitive drive Sy

Pressures

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 Pressure •
Aggressive tendencies Sy
• Sadism Sy
Excessive and heavy pressure • Antisocial personality (psychopath) C
• Paranoid P
• Epileptics P
• Organicity Or
• Extreme tension Sy
• Assertiveness Sy
• Energy T
Fluctuating pressure • Impulsivity C
• Cyclothymie C Sy
• Unstableness
Light pressure • Repression D
• Feeling or insignificance or lack of worth Sy
• Restraint T
Pressure variations • Adaptability T
• Flexibility T
• Moodinness T

Lines

Rhythmic stroking • Responsiveness T

• Uninhibitedness T
Energetic, unhesitant stroke • Perseverance T
• Security T
Constricted stroking • Tension Sy
• Withdrawal Sy
Length of stroke movement decreases • Excitable subjects Sy
Circular strokes • Dependency Sy
• Lack of assertion Sy
Right to left strokes • Introversion (self-oriented) T
Left to right strokes • Need for help or support Sy
• Extroversion (environment oriented) Sy
Stroking in (toward the body) • Introversion (self-oriented) T
Circular strokes; trunk rounded • Feminine tendency Sx
Circular strokes • Emotionality T
Short strokes • Impulsivity C
Short sketchy strokes / sketchy lines • Anxiety Sy
• Timidity Sy
• Uncertainty Sy
Long strokes(children as subjects) • Controlled behavior T
Strokes away from subject • Aggressive tendencies Sy
• Extroversion (environment oriented) Sy
Rounded curves • Sexual inadequacy Sx
Horizontal stroke; rounded lines • Femininity Sx
Horizontal stroke • Emphasis on fantasy Sy
• Weakness Sy
Vertical stroke • Hyperactivity Sy
• Assertiveness T

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 •
Determinedness T
indeterminate vacillating stroke • Insecurity Sy
• Lack of perseverence Sy
Straight line strokes (children as subjects) • Assertiveness T
Midline emphasis (stressed midline) • Dependency C
• Schizoid C
• Conversion or somatic preoccupation D
• Maternal dependency Ob
• Insecurity Sy
Body line reinforced, varied pressure • Explosive personality (emotional instability) C
Emphasis on curves in depicting body • Narcissism C
Very faint line • Inadequacy C
• Apprehensive neurotics (apprehension with neurosis) N
• Depression
• Catatonics N
• Chronic schizophrenia P
• Withdrawn schizophrenic P
P
Body line heavy • Apprehensive neurotics (apprehension with neurosis) N
• Depersonalization fears
Sy
Fading line • Hysteric tendency N
Heavy thick lines • Depersonalization fears P
• Aggressive tendencies Sy
Disconnected lines • Psychotic tendency P
• Insecurity Sy
Broken lines • Anxiety Sy
• Conflict area Sy
Reinforced lines • Anxiety Sy
• Conflict area Sy
• Insecurity Sy
Pressured lines • Assertiveness T
Straight lines • Aggressive tendencies Sy
Light lines, light pressure • Low energy So
Heavy lines • Hostility D
• Mach-over indices differentiating assaultive from Sy
nonassualtive subjects
Jagged lines • Assaultiveness Sy
Fluctuating line • Tension Sy
Thin elongated line • Tension Sy
Dim line • Timidity Sy
Firm lines • Ambition T
• Drive T
Unbroken reinforced lines outlining figure • Isolation D
Uninterrupted straight lines • Decisiveness T
Measurement lines or stick frame • Perfectionism Sy
Combination of firm, heavy and light lines • Assaultiveness Sy
Few curves, many sharp edges • Aggressive tendencies Sy
• Poor adjustment Sy
Uneven line pressure • Anxiety Sy

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 • Insecurity Sy
Erasures •
Anxiety Sy
• Conflict area Sy
• Indecisiveness Sy
Excessive erasure • Dissatisfaction with self Sy
• Conflict area Sy
Curvilinear line interrupted • Indecisiveness Sy
Ground line • Insecurity Sy
• Need for help or support Sy

Extras

Aggressive content, as daggers, guns, • Delinquent tendency possibility C

spears
Doodling of subjects name •
Egotism C
•
Narcissism C
Clouds •
Depression N
• Anxiety Sy
Buttons inconspicuous (as on cuffs), • Obsessive compulsive N
shoelaces, wrinkles, other unnecessary
details
Bizarre details, unessential details • Schizophrenia P
Detailing, over-symmetrical drawings, re- • Compulsivity D
working, with addition to excessive detail
Minute detailing • Pedantry T
Inadequate detailing • Lack of drive, energy or vitality Sy
Sy
Sun added to HFD scene • Need for affection Ob
• Nurturing warmth Ob
Fireplace (with fire in it) before figure • Need for emotional security and warmth Ob
Earrings; full-face figure; measurement • Exhibitionism or exhibitionistic tendency Sx
lines or stick frame for body; peanut man;
stick figure in subject capable of more
advanced drawing
Stick figure in subject capable of more • Secretiveness Sy
advanced drawing
Earrings •
Sexual preoccupation Sx
Cane • Impotency Sx
• Involutional resistance to sexual drive Sx
Adam’s apple ; a cane ; cigarette ; hair • Masculine or virility striving Sx
area ; pipe ; tie
Adam’s apple (on opposite sex, that sex • Sexual role conflict or confusion Sx
regarded as not virile)
Small tie ; tie • Sexual inadequacy Sx
Tie flying or swept out • Sexual preoccupation Sx
Yo-yo • Masturbatory fixation Sx
Several pockets (male figure, male • Passive homosexual tendency Sx
subject)
Cigarette • Sexual preoccupation Sx
Gun • Sexual preoccupation Sx

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 • Aggressive tendencies Sy
• Hostility Sy
Knife • Aggressive tendencies Sy
• Hostility Sy
Weapons • Aggressive tendencies Sy
Strong wind in scene of H.F.D. • Felt rejection to strong environmental pressure or Sy
stress with fear of psychoses
Mask • Secretiveness T

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INTERPRETING HUMAN FIGURE DRAWING

 Good enough first became interested in figure drawing when she wanted to find a way to
supplement the Stanford-Binet intelligence test with a nonverbal measure.

 In 1949, Karen Machover developed the first measure of figure drawing as a personality
assessment.

 Machover used a qualitative approach in her interpretation considering individual drawing

characteristics (Machover, 1949).

HFD test requires the subject to draw a human figure. The results are based on
a psychodynamic interpretation of the details of the drawing, such as the size, shape and
complexity of the facial features, clothing and background of the figure.

Riya

18 years

She is playing with her friends.

MOTIVATION FOR DRAWING

Acceptance of task with minimal protest Depression

Good initial performance followed by obvious fatigue Depression

and discontinuation of task
Inability to complete drawing, marked paucity of Significant depression
details
Parental figure than self-image Children; also adults pre-occupied with past who
are unable to emancipate themselves from their
parents

PROGNOSIS

Normal succession in drawing Absence of thought disorder, adequate reality

contact

Persistence in the drawing despite difficulty Good prognosis

Obese patient draws slim figure Improved prognosis; success treatment

SYMMETRY

Excessive symmetry Depressed state, paranoid, intellectualization ,

obsessive compulsive

Off balance figure Pre-schizophrenic possibility

Organ shown, internal and external Schizophrenia

Knuckle emphasized Schizophrenia

Sex organ shown Schizophrenia

Detailing; over symmetrical drawings, reworking Compulsivity

with addition of excessive details

Right to left strokes , unbroken Isolation

Disturbed symmetry Incoordination

SIZE AND MARGIN

Tiny figure with well-defined features Alcoholics, involutional patient, senile patients

Large figure shifted to left Aggressive psychopath with feelings of inadequacy

Left side drawing Egocentric

Large figure Antisocial personality, narcissism, paranoid

Figure micrographic with detail shading Deep depression

Low on page drawing Depression

Drawing near margin Dependency

Large centered figure Manic tendency, paranoid grandiosity

Features primitive, tinny Schizophrenia, regressed schizophrenia

Drawing that fills the page Compensatory fantasy; aggrandizement

SIZE AND MARGIN

Figure miniscule Constriction

Length of stroke movement increases Inhibition

Long figure Regression

Upper left corner drawing Regression

Tiny drawings Withdrawal, emotional dependence

Decreased size of figure more common in men Age factor in figure size
over 30 and women over 40

Peanut man Exhibitionism

Stick figure in subject capable of more advanced Exhibitionism

drawings

Figure too large for page Aspiration exceeds opportunities; environment

viewed as excessively constraining

Small features Anxiety

PRESSURE ON LINES/STROKES

Heavy pressure Antisocial personality, epileptics, organicity,

retardates, aggressive tendencies

Circular strokes Dependency

Short strokes Impulsivity, anxiety

Midline emphasized Dependency, schizoid, conversion or somatic

preoccupation

Varied pressure Emotional instability, impulsivity, deep depression,

anxiety, cyclothymic

Body emphasized, body line reinforced Egocentrism, schizoid, isolation, depersonalization

fears
Emphasize on curves in depicting body Narcissism

Features over emphasized Inadequacy with compensatory fantasy

Very faint lines Inadequacy, schizophrenia

Joint emphasized Schizoid, withdrawn schizophrenia

Faint lines Low energy, Apprehensive neurosis, depression,

catatonics, chronic schizophrenia

PRESSURE ON LINES/STROKES

Body lines heavy Apprehensive neurotics

Pressure variations Neurotic depression

Erasures Neurotic tendency possibly

Heavy thick lines Depersonalization fears

Dim body line or no body Compensatory defenses

Light line pressure Constriction

Measurement lines or stick frame Perfectionism, exhibitionism

Reinforced lines , particularly with reference to Repression, anxiety

area reinforced

Shading in sexual area Anxiety related to sexual function

Horizontal strokes, rounded lines Feminine tendency

Circular strokes, trunk rounded Feminine tendency

Broken lines Anxiety

Combination of heavy and firm lines Assaultiveness

FEATURES

Facial expression self-occupied Schizoid

Mask like features Cautious , feelings of body disorganization

Facial expression Prevailing attitude and mood

Confusion of full face and profile (profile; Schizophrenia, mental retardation, mental
forehead, nose, full face, eyes and mouth) defective, primitive cultural origin

Figure depicted in motion Fantasy activity

Seated figure Inhibition/ inhibited subject

Dim features, with emphasis on head contour Withdrawal

Full face figure Exhibitionism

Cartoon figure or clown Adolescents with feelings of inadequacy and

rejection

Puppet Compliance

Below midpoint drawings Depressed mood

AGE OF FIGURE

Younger figure than subject’s age Immaturity

Older figure than the subject’s age Identification with parent of same sex

Ahmed Talal

4 months

He is smiling
PROPS

Gun, Dragger, knife Delinquent tendency, aggressive

Cane Impotency , involutional resistance to sexual

decline

Cigarette or pipe between lips Sophisticated oral-eroticism

Gun aggressive tendencies

Sitting on edge of chair Desire to escape from situation

Yo-yo Masturbatory fixation

Capt. Zain

24 yeas

On security duty
GENDER OF FIGURE

Same sex figure; nude and carefully rendered Body narcissism, egocentrism, immaturity

Opposite sex figure (longer) Passive trend possibly, opposite figure viewed as
more powerful

Active same sex figure Hysteric tendency, manic tendency

Chin emphasized on opposite sex Dependency on opposite sex, opposite sex viewed
as stronger

Head emphasized on opposite sex Opposite sex viewed as smarter or as possessing

greater social authority

Arms omitted or short arms on opposite sex Rejection by maternal or parental figure of
opposite sex

Mouth omitted on female figure Scolding maternal figure possibly

Drawing opposite sex first Strong attachment to or dependency on parent or

person of opposite sex

GENDER OF FIGURE

Emphasis on female characteristics(female Aggressive use of sexual characteristics;

subject) coquettishness , more extensive sex experience u
to promiscuity possibly, unsatisfying erotic
experience,

Female characteristics under-emphasized (female Constricted erotic response (women), limited

subject) sexual experience, somatic sexual dysfunction
possibly

Back to male figure to observer (male subject) Desire to be a women, feminine identification
(men)

Balding male figure, hair white on male figure, Feelings of masculine insufficiency and lack of
shoulders exaggerated or other masculine details virility

Drawing of male first (female subject) Female protest, feminine role rejection

Hands of female figure on pelvic area (male Female regarded as sexually rejecting
subject)
GENDER OF FIGURE

Body of lower area of female visible through Involutional sex problem (male subject)
transparent skirt
Idealized nude figures Voyeuristic tendency

Tiny same sex figure Conception of self as dependent, helpless,

insignificant

Arms long and prominent on female figure (male Wish for protective maternal figure
subject)

Foot of male emphasized Involutional impotency

Naina

23 years old

Just posturing
POSTURE AND FIGURE DRAWN FIRST

Stand tight, rigid posture Schizoid, constriction, defensiveness, defensive

restriction of activity
Feet and legs drawn first Depression, discouragement

Hands drawn last Conflict over interpersonal relations

Doodling with subject’s name Narcissism, egotism

Figure with micrographic, with details, Neurotic depression

Robot for male figure (male subject) Depersonalization

Body distortions Psychotic tendencies

Smudgy shading Psychotic tendency, anal erotic interests

Bizarre details, Schizophrenia

Organ shown Somatic delusions,

Change of details in drawing Change is a defense against spontaneous reaction

to situation as symbolized by detail first depicted
HAIR

Hair given much attention Narcissism

Hair on jaws Schizoid

Hair emphasis with heavy shading Anxiety over sexual needs possibly

Beard, moustache, other facial hair Doubts about virility with compensatory virility
striving

Hair parted in middle , head splited Feminine identification dealt with by narcissism
and obsessive compulsive mechanism

Hair emphasized Infantile or repressed sex derives, virility symbol

Unpressured hair Inadequate virility

EYES

Trim eyebrows Disdain

Eyes as circle, no pupil Egocentrism, immaturity, hysteric, regression

Closed eyes Schizoid

Small eyes Self-absorption, voyeuristic tendency

Eye a dot with pressure, enlarged and emphasized Paranoid

eye

Long lashes Seductiveness, self-display

Eyes and lashes large Homosexual trend

Large eyes Voyeuristic tendency with guilt

Eyes emphasized aggression externalized or overt

Eyes prominent and reinforced Assaultiveness

NOSE

Broad, flared, hooked nose Tendency to think of social sterotypes

Strong nose Masculine assertion or need for it

Nose cut off Castration fears and wishes

Nose shaded Castration which may projected n opposite sex

MOUTH

Emphasized mouth Alcoholism, possible regression

Concave mouth Dependency, passive dependent

Mouth markedly full, open or oval Dependency, oral dependency, eroticism

Heavy lines on mouth Passive, oral aggression

Teeth shown, single line mouth Passive and oral aggression, simple schizophrenia

Open mouth Orality

Mouth omitted Asthmatic

EAR

Emphasized, enlarged ears Schizoid, auditory hallucinations, paranoid, ear

injury r hearing disability

Earrings Exhibitionism or exhibitionistic tendency

NECK

Neck omitted Immaturity, lack of impulse control

Neck long Schizoid, hysterical swallowing inhibition,

inhibition

Short and thick Self-indulgence

Narrow neck Depressed state

Thin neck Repression

Adam’s apple Sexual role conflict or confusion

Neck excessively large Awareness of physical impulses with effort to

control them
Chin exaggerated or emphasized Compensation with felt guilt, Compensation for
inadequacy, indecision, fear of responsibility

HANDS AND ARMS

Arms omitted Depression, helplessness, Assaultiveness

Hands in pockets Antisocial personality

Long arms Dependent

Weak arms over extended Dependency, Asthmatic, nurturance needs

Less than 5 fingers Dependency

More than 5 fingers aggressive tendencies

Grape fingers Immaturity

Hands omitted Inadequacy, withdrawal

Feet and hands dimmed or omitted Schizoid

Nackle emphasized Schizoid, maternal dependency

Fingers, fingernails, joints carefully depicted Compulsive body image problem, as in early
schizophrenia

Claw finger Paranoid, aggression externalized or overt

Shoulders massive on male Compensation for felt inadequacy

HANDS AND ARMS

Hands hidden Difficulty with interpersonal relations,

masturbatory guilt

hands extended behind back in anal area Homoerotic conflicts

Hands omitted on female figure Maternal figure regarded as rejecting,

unsupportive and unloving

Arms heavy, shaded on opposite sex Opposite sex vied as punishing

Hands on genital area Autoeroticism

Ankles and wrists small Feminine tendency

Finger omitted or overextended Masturbatory guilt

Arms and legs distortion sexual role conflict or confusion

Armless figure of male (male subject) Strong sexual desire associated with guilt, wish to
be castrated,

Hands emphasized aggression externalized or overt

Arms out with fists clenched aggressive tendencies

Arms of male figure large Assaultiveness

Arms reinforced Assaultiveness

Hands large Compensation with felt guilt or felt weakness

HANDS AND ARMS

Shoulders drooping Dejection

Arms pressed to sides Difficulty in social contact

Hands shaded Affectional deprivation , anxiety over interpersonal

relations , anxiety over masturbating guilt

Arms over extended, reaching Desires for affection, aggression externalized or

overt

BREAST AREA

Breast area emphasized Dependency

Breast emphasized (female subject) Feminine identification with dominant mother

Breast emphasized (male subject) Passive dependency, oral dependency, maternal

dependency and domination

Small breast Maternal figure un-nurturing

v-neckline on female figure (male subject) Breast fixation, voyeuristic tendency

TRUNK

Trunk omitted Immature, primitive character structure,

regression , mental retardation , denial or
repression of physical drives (children as subjects)

Shaded legs, full body with shaded thin legs Homosexual anxiety, feelings of decline associated
with advancing age

Trunk incomplete Regression

Trunk rounded Feminine tendency

Buttock emphasize Homosexual trend,

Buttocks and hips on male figure usually Homosexual trend

emphasized or large and rounded

Buttocks and hips on male figure usually Homosexual trend

emphasized or large and rounded

Angular or square trunk or body Masculinity , aggressive tendencies, criticality

Feet and legs drawn first Discouragement

Feet omitted and legs omitted Discouragement

CLOTHING

Over clothed Antisocial personality, egocentrism

Buckle, buttons Immaturity, dependency, inadequacy

Buttons on cloths over breast Dependency, affectional deprivation ,

identification with mother possibly

Pockets Dependency

Clothing carefully rendered Egocentrism, immaturity, over concern for

material criteria for social status
Buttons on cuffs Obsessive element accompanying dependency

Buttons on cuffs, shoelaces, wrinkles, other Obsessive compulsive

unnecessary details
Buttons in midline Somatic preoccupation, maternal dependency

Hat clearly indicated Compensatory fantasy

Hat plus buttons Regression

Hat on nude figure Regression

Pockets Maternal dependency

CLOTHING

Hat crease (folded) Fantasy relative to female genitalia

Pants transparent (legs shown through) Homosexual anxiety

Clothing with detail elaboration Homosexual trend

Tie emphasized Homosexual trend

Trouser flying Masturbatory preoccupation

Tie flying or swept out Overt sexual aggression

Clothing transparent Voyeuristic tendency with guilt, breaks in

judgment

Clothing elaboration and grooming Emphasize on possession and social prestige

Disheveled Felt lack of status

Uniformed cowboy or soldier (male figure of male Need for greater status and recognition than
subject) subject feels he possesses

Clothing foppish Need for social approval and dominanc

Clothing ill-fitting Unsatisfying social status