The Comprehensive System for the Rorschach: A Critical Examination

The Comprehensive System (Exner, 1993) is widely accepted as a reliable and valid approach to Rorschach interpretation. However, the present article calls attention to significant problems with the system. First, contrary to common opinion, the interrater reliability of most scores in the system has never been demonstrated adequately. Second, important scores and indices in the system are of questionable validity. Third, the research base of the system consists mainly of unpublished studies that are often unavailable for examination. Recommendations are made regarding research and clinical use of the Comprehensive System.