Non-existent animal interpretation online for children. Projective technique “Non-existent animal. Results of the analysis of the “Non-existent animal” test
The “Nonexistent Animal” drawing test is a popular technique that allows you to better understand a person’s personal characteristics and identify hidden emotions. Can be used with children from six years old. This technique works well with teenagers and adults. The technique is quite simple to implement, but is highly effective.
Test requirements
For this diagnostic technique you will need an A4 sheet of paper, a pencil and an eraser. It is better to avoid using markers and pens, because... in this case, it will be difficult to assess the degree of pressure when drawing lines. It is not recommended to test a person without first obtaining their consent. Coercion in this case is unacceptable.
During the projective technique “Non-existent animal”, a person is given the task of drawing a creature that has no analogues in living nature. The image should not be schematic. High detail of the picture contributes to a more effective interpretation. After the drawing is ready, the author must give a name to the drawn creature.
Before starting the interpretation, a person is asked a series of clarifying questions. Their goal is to clarify points that are not obvious. For example, find out what the creature eats? What do the details of the drawing mean (dots on the body, spikes, etc.)? How does the animal spend its time? What does he like and dislike? This information will provide important clarifications necessary for further analysis.
Interpretation of the “Non-existent animal” test
What does the name say? Typically, it is analyzed based on the following criteria:
scientific or pseudoscientific name of an animal - a demonstration by a person of his intellectual potential (rational type of thinking);
a name with repeated syllables – immaturity in development (creative thinking);
a name that is not logically connected with an animal - superficiality, a frivolous attitude towards reality (abstract thinking).
Location of the drawing. Normally, the animal is located in the middle of the sheet. The upward shift of the picture indicates a person’s high self-esteem and desire for recognition. The location at the bottom reflects indecision, depression, anxiety. A shift to the left is a focus on the past, an unwillingness to make efforts to achieve results. The drawing on the right side of the sheet is an active life position, a look into the future.
Features of the image.
Weak pressure on the pencil indicates passivity, sometimes a depressive state, while too much pressure indicates internal tension and impulsiveness. Dashed lines indicate anxiety as a personality trait of the subject. And multiple lines are an alarm at the time of examination. Sketch lines speak of the desire to control your anxiety, to control yourself. Missing lines that do not hit the desired point indicate impulsiveness, possibly organic brain damage.
The size of the picture can also tell you a lot. An animal that is too large can be a sign of anxiety or stress, while an animal that is too small can indicate depression or low self-esteem.
Head. The position of the animal’s head can be interpreted in a similar way: raised up, lowered down, turned left/right. An enlarged head speaks of an appreciation of one’s own and those around him’s erudition. The absence of a head indicates that a person is impulsive. In some cases, about mental illness. Several heads - conflicting desires, internal conflict.
Ears. When analyzing a non-existent animal, the nature of the ears (carefulness of drawing, size, etc.) allows us to judge how interested the person is in the information.
Eyes that are too large, empty, or with a crossed out iris indicate fear. Eyes with drawn eyelashes are depicted by people with a demonstrative demeanor, for whom the opinions of others are very important.
A slightly open mouth in combination with the tongue speaks of high speech activity, in combination with well-drawn lips - of a person’s sensuality. A mouth with teeth and fangs is a sign of verbal aggression, in some cases defensive. An open blackened mouth is a sign of ease of fear and anxiety.
Feathers are drawn by people who tend to embellish everything, horns - people prone to aggression or protection, a mane or a similar hairstyle - sensual natures who want to emphasize their gender, scales and shell - people in need of protection, wounds, scars - people in a neurotic state, built-in mechanical parts - people with communication problems, wings - romantics, dreamers,
Legs. A strong supporting part is self-confidence, rationality, firmness in decision making. The thin legs of an animal indicate the opposite personality traits: possible uncertainty, inconsistency, predominance of creativity.
Body. Consisting of many components and elements indicates the powerful energy of the individual, and a small number of components indicates energy savings and asthenia. The image of a circular figure is typical for closed, withdrawn people. A large number of sharp corners indicates aggressiveness.
Tail. A raised tail demonstrates a positive attitude towards one’s thoughts and actions, while a lowered tail does the opposite. A thick, carefully drawn tail speaks of the importance of the sexual sphere for a person; a decorative tail with many details speaks of the demonstrative nature of the individual.
The subject of the drawing is an important component that needs to be paid attention to. As part of the test, all depicted creatures can be divided into three groups:
vulnerable ¬ animals that are most often threatened in nature (birds, insects, small rodents and others);
threatening animals - images with emphasized aggressiveness. In nature, these are usually predators;
neutral ones are pets, representatives of the aquatic world, etc.
By drawing a creature belonging to one of the presented groups, a person associates his personal “I” with the attributes of this animal.
The technique was proposed by M. Z. Dzukarevich. By nature "Non-existent animal" test is classified as projective. For statistical testing or standardization, the result of the analysis can be presented in descriptive forms. The composition of this test is indicative; as a single research method, it is usually not used and requires combination with other methods as a battery research tool.
From the available literature it is clear that the examination procedure is not standardized (sheets of drawing paper of different sizes are used, in some cases the drawing is done with colored pencils, in others - in one color, etc.). There is no generally accepted system for assessing drawings.
Instructions:“Invent and draw a non-existent animal and call it a non-existent name.”
INDICATORS AND INTERPRETATIONS
The position of the drawing on the sheet. Normally, the pattern is located along the midline of a vertically placed sheet. It is best to take a white or slightly creamy, non-glossy sheet of paper. Use a medium soft pencil; You cannot draw with a pen or felt-tip pen.
Position the design closer to the top edge of the sheet(the closer, the more pronounced) is interpreted as high self-esteem, dissatisfaction with one’s position in society, lack of recognition from others, as a claim for advancement and recognition, a tendency towards self-affirmation.
Position of the picture at the bottom- the opposite tendency: self-doubt, low self-esteem, depression, indecisiveness, disinterest in one’s position in society, in recognition, lack of tendency to self-affirmation.
Central part of the figure(head or part replacing it). The head is turned to the right - a stable tendency towards activity, efficiency: almost everything that is thought out, planned is carried out or, at least, begins to be carried out (if not even completed.) The subject is actively moving towards the implementation of his tendencies.
Head turned to the left- a tendency to reflect, to think. This is not a man of action: only a small part of his plans are realized or at least begins to be realized. Often there is also fear of active action and indecision. (Option: lack of tendency to action or fear of activity - should be decided additionally).
Full face position, i.e. the head is directed at the person drawing (at himself), is interpreted as egocentrism.
There are details on the head corresponding to the sense organs - ears, mouth, eyes. The meaning of the detail “ears” is direct interest in information, the importance of the opinions of others about oneself. Additionally, using other indicators and their combination, it is determined whether the subject is doing anything to win a positive assessment or is only producing appropriate emotional reactions to the assessments of others (joy, pride, resentment, grief), without changing his behavior. A slightly open mouth in combination with the tongue in the absence of drawing the lips is interpreted as greater speech activity (talkativeness), in combination with the drawing of the lips - as sensuality; sometimes both together. An open mouth without drawing the tongue and lips, especially a drawn one, is interpreted as the ease of apprehension and fear, mistrust. A mouth with teeth - verbal aggression, in most cases - defensive (snarls, bullies, is rude in response to addressing him with a negative quality, condemnation, censure ). Children and adolescents are characterized by a pattern of a drawn, rounded mouth (fearfulness, anxiety).
Particular importance is attached to the eyes. This is a symbol of the inherent human experience of fear: it is emphasized by the sharp drawing of the iris. Pay attention to the presence or absence of eyelashes. Eyelashes - hysterical and demonstrative behavior; for men: feminine character traits with the drawing of the pupil and iris rarely coincide. Eyelashes are also an interest in admiring others for external beauty and manner of dressing, giving this great importance.
Increased(in accordance with the figure as a whole) head size indicates that the subject values the rational principle (possibly erudition) in himself and those around him.
There are also additional details located on the head, for example, horns - protection, aggression. Determine by combination with other signs - claws, bristles, needles - the nature of this aggression: spontaneous or defensive-reactive. Feathers are a tendency towards self-decoration and self-justification, towards demonstrativeness. Mane, fur, a semblance of hairstyle - sensuality, emphasizing one's gender and sometimes orientation towards one's sexual role.
Load-bearing, supporting part of the figure(legs, paws, sometimes a pedestal). The solidity of this part is considered in relation to the size of the entire figure and shape:
a) thoroughness, thoughtfulness, rationality of decision-making, paths to conclusions, formation of judgments, reliance on essential provisions and significant information;
b) superficiality of judgments, frivolity in conclusions and unfoundedness of judgments, sometimes impulsive decision-making (especially in the absence or almost absence of legs).
Pay attention to the nature of the connection between the legs and the body: connection accurately, carefully or carelessly, weakly connected or not connected at all - this is the nature of control over one’s reasoning, conclusions, decisions. The uniformity and one-directionality of the shape of the legs, paws, and any elements of the supporting part - conformity of judgments and attitudes in decision making, their standardness, banality. The diversity in the form and position of these details is the originality of attitudes and judgments, independence and non-banality; sometimes even creativity (corresponding to the unusual form) or dissent (closer to pathology).
Parts that rise above the level of the figure. Can be functional or decorative: wings, extra legs, tentacles, shell parts, feathers, bows like curls; flower-functional details - the energy of covering different areas of human activity, self-confidence, “self-propagation” with indelicate and indiscriminate oppression of others, or curiosity, the desire to participate in as many affairs of others as possible, winning one’s place in the sun, passion for one’s activities, courage enterprises (according to the meaning of the symbol detail - wings or tentacles, etc.). Decorating details - demonstrativeness, a tendency to attract the attention of others, mannerisms (for example, a horse or its non-existent likeness in a plume of peacock feathers).
Tails. They express their attitude to their own actions, decisions, conclusions, to their verbal products - judging by whether these tails are turned to the right (on the sheet) or to the left. Turned to the right - attitude towards your actions and behavior. To the left - attitude towards your thoughts, decisions; to missed opportunities, one’s own indecision. The positive or negative coloring of this attitude is expressed by the direction of the tails upward (confident, positive, cheerful) or the falling movement downward (dissatisfaction with oneself, doubt of one’s own rightness, regret about what has been done, said, remorse, etc.). Pay attention to tails consisting of several, sometimes repeating links, to especially fluffy tails, especially long and sometimes branched.
Contours of the figure. They are analyzed by the presence or absence of protrusions (such as shields, shells, needles), drawing and darkening of the contour line. This is protection from others, aggressive - if it is done in sharp corners; with fear and anxiety - if there is a darkening, “smudging” of the contour line; with fear, suspicion - if shields, “barriers” are placed, the line is doubled. The direction of such protection is according to the spatial location: the upper contour of the figure is against superiors, against persons who have the opportunity to impose a ban, restriction, or exercise coercion, that is, against elders, parents, teachers, bosses, managers; lower contour - protection against ridicule, non-recognition, lack of authority among lower subordinates, juniors, fear of condemnation; lateral contours - undifferentiated caution and readiness for self-defense of any order and in different situations; the same thing - elements of “protection” located not along the contour, but inside the contour, on the animal’s body itself. On the right - more in the process of activity (real), on the left - more defense of one’s opinions, beliefs, tastes.
Total energy. The number of depicted details is assessed - is it just the necessary amount to give an idea of an imaginary non-existent animal (body, head, limbs or body, tail, wings, etc.): with a filled outline, without shading and additional lines and parts, simply primitive outline - or there is a generous depiction of not only the necessary, but also additional details that complicate the design. Accordingly, the more components and elements (in addition to the most necessary), the higher the energy. In the opposite case - saving energy, asthenicity of the body, chronic somatic disease (the same is confirmed by the nature of the line - a weak cobweb-like line that “carries” a pencil along the paper without pressing it). The opposite nature of the lines - a line with pressure - is not polar: it is not energy, but anxiety. You should pay attention to sharply pressed lines, visible even on the back of the sheet (convulsive, high tone of the muscles of the drawing hand) - sharp anxiety. Pay attention also to what detail, what symbol is made in this way (i.e. what the alarm is attached to).
Assessing the nature of the line(duplication of lines, negligence, sloppy connections, “islands” of overlapping lines, blackening of parts of the drawing, “smudging”, deviation from the vertical axis, stereotypical lines, etc.). The assessment is carried out in the same way as when analyzing a pictogram. The same - fragmentation of lines and shapes, incompleteness, raggedness of the drawing.
Thematically, animals are divided into threatened, threatening, neutral(like a lion, hippopotamus, wolf or bird, snail, ant, or squirrel, dog, cat). This is an attitude towards one’s own person and one’s “I”, an idea of one’s position in the world, as if identifying oneself by significance (with a hare, a bug, an elephant, a dog, etc.). In this case, the animal being drawn is a representative of the person drawing.
Likening the animal being drawn to a person, starting with placing the animal in a position of upright walking on two paws, instead of four or more, and ending with dressing the animal in human clothing (pants, skirts, bows, belts, dress), including putting the muzzle on the face, legs and paws on the hands , - indicates infantility, emotional immaturity, according to the degree of severity of the “humanization” of the animal. The mechanism is similar (and parallel) to the allegorical meaning of animals and their characters in fairy tales, parables, etc.
Degree of aggressiveness expressed by the number, location and nature of the angles in the drawing, regardless of their connection with one or another detail of the image. Particularly significant in this regard are direct symbols of aggression - claws, teeth, beaks. You should also pay attention to the emphasis on sexual characteristics - the udder, nipples, breasts with a humanoid figure, etc. This is an attitude towards gender, even to the point of fixation on the problem of sex.
Circle figure(especially if not filled with anything) we symbolize expresses a tendency towards secrecy, isolation, closedness of one’s inner world, reluctance to give information about oneself to others, and finally, reluctance to be tested. Such figures usually provide very limited data for analysis.
Pay attention to cases“mounting” mechanical parts into the body of an animal - placing the animal on a pedestal, tractor or tank tracks, tripod; attaching a propeller or propeller to the head; mounting an electric lamp into the eye, and into the body and limbs - handles, keys and antennas. This is observed more often in patients with schizophrenia and deep schizoids.
Creative possibilities are usually expressed by the number of elements combined in a figure: banality, lack of creativity take the form of a “ready-made” existing animal (people, horses, dogs, pigs, fish), to which only a “ready-made” existing part is attached so that the drawn animal becomes non-existent - a cat with wings, a fish with feathers, a dog with flippers, etc. Originality is expressed in the form of constructing a figure from elements, and not from whole blanks.
The name can express rational combination of semantic parts (flying hare, “hipper cat”, “fly-catcher”, etc.). Another option is word formation with a book-scientific, sometimes Latin suffix or ending (“ratoletius”, etc.). The first is rationality, a specific attitude in orientation and adaptation; the second is demonstrativeness, aimed mainly at demonstrating one’s own intelligence, erudition, and knowledge. There are names that are superficial and sound, without any comprehension (“lyalie”, “lioshana”, “grateker”, etc.), signifying a frivolous attitude towards others, the inability to take into account a danger signal, the presence of affective criteria at the basis of thinking, the preponderance of aesthetic elements in judgments over rational ones. Ironic and humorous names are also observed (“rhinochurka”, “bubbleland”, etc.) - with a correspondingly ironic and condescending attitude towards others. Infantile names usually have repeating elements (“tru-tru”, “lyu-lyu”, “cous-cous”, etc.). The tendency to fantasize (usually of a defensive nature) is usually expressed by elongated names (“aberosinotykliron”, “gulobarnikletamieshiniya”, etc.).
The satisfactory convergent validity of the method was shown by establishing a connection between the results obtained with its help and the data of other personal methods based on the examination of patients in a psychiatric clinic and persons undergoing professional selection for the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (P.V. Yan-shin, 1988, 1990). Validity has also been confirmed in differentiating patients with neuroses from healthy ones (T. I. Krasko, 1995). Test "Non-existent animal"- one of the most popular drawing techniques and is widely used by psychologists when examining children and adults, sick and healthy, most often as an orienting technique, that is, one whose data allows us to put forward some hypotheses about personality characteristics.
Literature: Practical psychology. Projective techniques. / V. B. Shapar, O. V. Shapar. - Rostov n/d: Phoenix, 2006. - 480 p. (Psychological Faculty).
Among the many psychological methods for studying personality, the projective technique “Non-existent animal” occupies a special place. This is explained by the fact that its interpretation provides extensive information about the individual while spending a minimum amount of time on the task. The test is not only simple, but also very interesting, accessible to both adults and children.
By Arne OlavThe test was created by Russian psychologist M. Z. Dukarevich, based on the characteristics of psychomotor connection. When a person draws, a sheet of paper at this time is a special model of space in which, with the help of movements of the dominant (for most people, the right) hand, the attitude towards this space is fixed, following the words of I.M. Sechenov that any thought ends in movement.
The main goal of the technique is a general study of the personality, on the basis of which the psychologist puts forward a hypothesis about some of its characteristics, in no case making unambiguous conclusions about the person without a comprehensive diagnosis.
The “Non-existent animal” test begins with a simple instruction: “Take a piece of paper, a simple pencil and draw a non-existent animal, one that actually does not exist and has never been on the planet. Call him by a name that doesn’t exist.”
There is no time limit for completing the drawing. Sometimes people refuse to take the test, explaining their refusal by their inability to draw. In this case, it is important to explain that the psychologist does not evaluate artistic abilities, that the test has a deeper psychological meaning than just the ability to draw beautifully.
The “Nonexistent Animal” technique is easy to implement, because drawing an unusual non-existent animal is not only simple, but also exciting. But its interpretation requires deep knowledge of human psychology. If you want to get a high-quality, reliable result after completing the test, use the basic rules for its interpretation:
The location of the drawing on the paper.
Normally, the pattern is located in the middle part of the sheet, which is in a vertical position. If the drawing is located at the top of the sheet, this indicates high self-esteem and dissatisfaction with one's role in society, where a person feels a lack of recognition. The lower the drawing is located on the paper, the lower it is. Such a person is unsure of himself, he does not care about recognition of his social status.
The main part of the drawing.
- The head looks to the right - an active and decisive person, he brings things to an end, and implements his plans.
- The head looks to the left - a person is prone to introspection and reflection. He thinks more than he does; instead of concrete actions, he prefers deep thoughts about them.
- The head “looks” forward, at the person drawing - evidence of egocentrism. If there are sensory organs on the head - eyes, ears, mouth, then this indicates the importance of information and dependence on other people's opinions.
- An open mouth and tongue, but no lips, can mean high verbal activity, and even talkativeness. The presence of lips indicates sensuality. An open mouth without lips or tongue indicates a tendency to anxiety and fear, and mistrust. In children and adolescents, you can see a round, crossed out mouth, which indicates fear and anxiety.
- The presence of teeth indicates verbal aggression, which is used as a defense in the form of a rude response to reproach or condemnation.
- Eyes play an important role. They are a symbol of fear if a person clearly draws the iris. The presence of eyelashes indicates a demonstrative personality, a desire to attract other people's attention with one's beauty and manners, and in men it is an indicator of feminine character traits.
- You should pay attention to the size of the head: if it is drawn disproportionately to the body, then the person values intelligence and rationality.
- Horns, claws, and needles on the skin of an animal indicate aggression, defensive or spontaneous. Feathers on an animal's body are an indicator of demonstrativeness and narcissism. Wool or mane speaks of sexuality and the desire to emphasize one's gender.
Bottom of the picture.
- The animal's legs (paws) are assessed by size relative to the animal's body. If the legs are large and large, then this indicates rationality, deliberation in action, the formation of plans and clear structures before committing an action. Small short legs indicate impulsiveness and frivolity in decision making. These qualities can be especially emphasized if the legs are completely absent in the picture.
- It is worth paying attention to the nature of the connection between the legs and the body. If the connection is unclear and insufficient, then the person himself is rather careless, inattentive, and does not have enough control over his judgments.
- The direction of the legs in one direction and their uniformity indicate conformity, stereotyping and banality of judgments. The diversity of form suggests the opposite: a person is inclined to originality and originality.
Additional details of the drawing.
These are wings, feathers, bows, more legs or paws, curls, flowers and various other decorating details. All these features speak of self-confidence, a high level of energy that a person knows how to distribute into different areas of activity. Sometimes this results in oppression of other people, focusing only on one's own personality. This could be a person who is passionate about his profession, striving for self-realization.
The presence of a tail indicates an attitude towards one’s own decisions and actions, towards the products of one’s activities. The tail pointing to the right is an attitude towards actions and behavior. The tail pointing to the left is related to thoughts and possibilities. The direction of the tail up or down indicates the person’s perception of this relationship: up – positive, down – negative.
Outline of the drawing.
By Arne Olav The presence of shells, protrusions, darkening, and drawing clear lines is analyzed. These details indicate a desire to protect yourself from other people. If there are sharp angles, this is an aggressive defense; if there are dark spots, there is anxiety and fear; if the line is double, there is suspicion and a feeling of danger.
Type of animal.
Animals can be roughly divided into:
- threatening,
- threatened
- and neutral (respectively, similar to a lion, hare or dog).
The choice of the type of animal speaks about the attitude towards one’s own personality, towards one’s “I”. A person chooses the type of animal with which he identifies. If the animal is “humanized”, in clothes, with two legs, upright, with arms instead of paws, then this speaks of the immaturity and immaturity of the author’s emotional sphere.
Title of the drawing.
There are six main types of names for a non-existent animal:
- connecting semantic parts (“cat laugh”, “hare zher”) - speak of rationality and adaptation;
- close to scientific (“Tridericus”, “Glinolius”) - they say demonstrative;
- superficial and thoughtless (“lalasa”, “mrama”) - about frivolity and carelessness;
- humorous (“bubble”, “churunda”) - about a condescending attitude towards others;
- simple (“la-la”, “sim-sim”) - about infantility;
- elongated (“pratomina-carosa”) - about a tendency to fantasize.
The use of the “Nonexistent Animal” test is mainly designed to study psychomotor connections and mental state - mainly identifying hidden ones - in children from five to six years old and adults.
Unlike most other drawing tests, this one is one of the most informative drawing techniques and can be widely used for psychological examination.
On a note:
There are modifications of the test that are additional to the “Nonexistent Animal” test and are used to clarify the emotional state of the person drawing. These are tests such as “Angry Animal”, “Happy Animal” and “Unhappy Animal”.
The “Angry Animal” test allows you to identify hidden aggressive and depressive states; “Happy Animal” will tell about the values and aspirations of the subject; “Unhappy animal” shows the degree of resistance to stress of various kinds.
Exercise
To complete the test you will need a sheet of paper, a pencil, and an eraser. Ask the test taker to draw an animal that has never existed in nature. When the drawing is ready, ask the following questions: where does this animal live, what does it eat, what does it like most, what is it most afraid of?
Interpretation of the “Non-existent animal” test
Test indicators
(indicators of psychomotor tone)
Pencil pressure
Weak pressure – asthenia; passivity; sometimes a depressive state.
Strong pressure – emotional tension; rigidity; impulsiveness.
Extra-strong pressure (pencil tears paper) – conflict; hyperactivity; sometimes aggressiveness, acute agitation.
Features of lines
Dashed lines – anxiety as a personality trait.
Multiple lines – anxiety as a state at the time of examination; stressful state; sometimes impulsive.
Sketch lines - the desire to control your anxiety, to control yourself.
Missing lines that do not hit the right point - impulsiveness; organic brain damage.
Lines that are not completed are asthenia, sometimes impulsivity.
Distortion of the shape of lines – organic brain damage; impulsiveness; sometimes mental illness.
Size of the picture and its location
Increased size – anxiety, stress.
Reduced size – depression, low self-esteem.
The drawing is shifted upward or located in the upper half of the sheet, but not in the corner - sometimes inflated self-esteem; desire for high achievements.
The picture is shifted downwards - sometimes reduced self-esteem.
The pattern is shifted to the side - sometimes organic brain damage.
The drawing goes beyond the edge of the sheet - impulsiveness; acute anxiety.
The picture is placed in the corner - depression.
Animal type
Based on the typology of images of non-existent animals, we can note the most common of them.
1. The subject depicts a real-life animal and calls it by a real name, and the description of its lifestyle corresponds to reality. For example, a cat is drawn and the cat’s lifestyle is described. Such an image may be considered the norm for a five- to six-year-old child, but for teenagers and adults it may indicate a low level of imagination.
2. An extinct animal that once existed is drawn, for example a dinosaur, mammoth, etc.
3. Draw an image of an animal that exists in culture, but does not exist in nature, for example, a dragon, mermaid, etc. Drawings depicting extinct animals, as well as drawings depicting existing ones in culture, are the norm for children 8–9 years old. For adults, such a drawing of an animal indicates his low general cultural level and poverty of imagination.
4. A drawing of a non-existent animal is usually constructed from parts of different real animals: the body of a crocodile, the limbs of a monkey, the head of a hare, etc. Such an animal may have, for example, the name Krokozai. Such an image of an animal is more typical of rationalists rather than creative people.
5. Sometimes the image of animals has a humanoid appearance. This indicates a strong need for communication, which is usually characteristic of teenagers - 13-17 years old.
6.The animal depicted consists of various mechanical parts. Such an animal is usually depicted by people with unconventional thinking and approach to life.
7. An intricate, complex and original image of an animal, the image of which has not a composite, but an integral structure, with a difficult or unidentifiable resemblance to any really existing (existing) animal, is characteristic of a person with a well-developed, rich creative imagination.
Components of an animal
Eyes
No eyes – asthenia.
The eyes are empty, without pupils and irises - asthenia, fears.
Eyes with a blackened iris - fears.
Eyes with eyelashes - a demonstrative manner of behavior, the importance of one’s opinion about oneself.
Eyes with drawn blood vessels – hypochondria, a neurotic state.
The shape of the eyes is distorted - a neurotic condition.
Ears
Big ears – interest in information, in some cases suspicion, anxiety.
Lack of ears - isolation, reluctance to come into contact with others, to hear other people's opinions.
Mouth
The mouth is slightly open in combination with the tongue: without drawing the lips - greater speech activity, with drawing the lips - sensuality.
The mouth is open and blackened - ease of apprehension and fear, in some cases mistrust, anxiety.
Mouth with teeth or fangs - verbal aggression, in some cases defensive.
Head
An enlarged head is an assessment of one’s own and those around him’s erudition.
The head is absent - impulsiveness, in some cases mental illness.
Two or more heads - conflicting desires, internal conflict.
The shape of the head is distorted - organic brain damage, in some cases mental illness.
Additional details on the head
Feathers are a tendency towards embellishment and self-justification.
Horns – protection, aggression.
A mane, a similarity to a hairstyle, is sensuality, in some cases emphasizing one’s gender.
Figure
Many components and elements are powerful energy.
A small number of components and elements – energy saving, asthenia.
A figure consisting of sharp angles is aggressive. A circular figure means secrecy, isolation, closeness of one’s inner world.
Additional details and parts of the figure
Scales, shell - the need for protection.
Thorns, needles – defensive aggression.
A body covered with thick hair represents the significance of the sexual sphere.
The pattern on the skin is demonstrative.
Wounds, scars are a neurotic condition.
Built-in mechanical parts – introversion, difficulties in communication.
Cutting, piercing or chopping weapons – aggressiveness.
Wings – romanticism, daydreaming, a tendency to compensatory fantasy.
Internal organs, blood vessels - hypochondria, neurotic condition, in some cases mental illness.
Genital organs, female breasts, udders - the high significance of the sexual sphere.
Tail
The tail turned to the right is an attitude towards one’s actions and behavior.
The tail turned to the left is an attitude towards your thoughts and decisions.
A tail raised up is a positive, confident coloration of this relationship.
A tail hanging down is a negative connotation of relationships.
The tail is thick - the significance of the sexual sphere.
The tail is thick and covered with hair - a very high significance of the sexual sphere.
A beautiful tail, for example, a peacock, is demonstrative.
Legs
The absence of legs, their insufficient number - passivity or ineptitude in social relationships.
Excessive number of legs – the need for support.
Thick, large legs - a feeling of insufficient skill in social relationships, the need for support.
The nature of the connection of the legs with the figure (body)
Drawn carefully - the ability to control your reasoning, conclusions, decisions.
Carelessly drawn, weak or no connection of the legs with the figure – lack of control.
Description of lifestyle
Corresponds to the picture - logical thinking is developed.
Does not correspond to the picture - in some cases, a violation of logical thinking.
With idealization and embellishment - a tendency to compensatory fantasy.
Animal's place of life
Abroad, islands, subtropics (Bali, Cyprus) – demonstrativeness.
Isolated (space, another planet, cave, well, forest, etc.) – a feeling of loneliness.
A difficult to reach place (impenetrable forest, dense thicket of trees, etc.) – the need for protection, in some cases, fear of aggression.
Emotionally unpleasant (swamp, mud, mud, etc.) is a neurotic state.
Nutrition
Does not feed on anything or feeds on air, news, energy - introversion.
Eating everything - impulsiveness.
Eats inedible things (nails, sticks, stones, etc.) – communication disorders.
Eating emotionally unpleasant food (mucus, dust, cockroaches, etc.) is a neurotic state.
Feeds on the blood and organs of living beings (stomach, brain, etc.) – neurotic aggression.
Feeds on people – negativism, aggressiveness.
Activities, games
Breaks something (fence, trees, etc.) – aggressiveness, negativism, in some cases mental illness.
Likes to sleep a lot - asthenic state, accumulated fatigue.
Plays, walks, has fun - a projection of his desires.
Busy looking for food - a feeling of difficulties in life.
Doesn't like to sit idle - impulsiveness.
Walking upside down is a symbol of breaking the established order, going beyond ordinary standards, or the desire to do so.
Some features of the description
Mention of reproduction - the significance of the sexual sphere; about asexual forms of reproduction (budding, etc.) – tension in the sexual sphere.
An indication of the absence of friends is a feeling of loneliness; on the contrary, the message of having many friends is a high value of communication.
Mention of enemies - fear of aggression; about protection from any enemies or an emphasis on their absence - fear of aggression, in some cases a wary attitude towards others.
The message about the provision of food is a feeling of domestic distress, in some cases the importance of material values.
Analysis of drawings for the “Non-existent animal” test
IMPORTANT!
From the drawings of a non-existent animal, both children and adults can often judge their hidden problem, which is most often kept silent or not suspected when seeking advice on a completely different issue.
Tatyana, 35 years old
Tatyana is a pretty, charming, slender woman. He takes great care of himself, dresses fashionably, does business, and often goes on business trips to Moscow, Rostov and other cities; spends his holidays abroad. She comes for consultations mainly on business issues, but the main problem for her is the lack of love for her husband, with whom she has lived for more than 16 years. He dreams of breaking out of the vicious circle, but it doesn’t work out. This is clearly visible in Tatyana’s drawing (Fig. 3).
She named her animal the European Glamorous Wingcat. The animal vaguely resembles the author of the drawing and reflects her main problem – sexual. An excessively fluffy, thick and raised tail, as well as a chest densely covered with hair, speak, or rather, “scream” about the importance of the sexual sphere in a woman’s life and at the same time indicate trouble in this area. A completely blackened iris of the eye is an indicator of internal fear - a woman is afraid to imagine how her life could turn out without her husband, and is generally afraid of changes in life. Wingcat's wings are nothing more than Tatyana's protective fantasy: her escape from personal problems into the created fantasy world.
Rice. 3. European glamorous Wingcat
This is how Tatyana describes the lifestyle of her non-existent animal:
The European glamorous Wingcat lives in Europe, in extremely glamorous places - Paris, Milan, Nice, but individual individuals are found in Krasnodar, Moscow, Rostov. Prefers an idle and cheerful lifestyle. By nature he is sociable, cheerful, friendly, but is difficult to tame and is very independent. It reproduces rarely; it selects a pair meticulously, carefully and leisurely. He eats sweets and news, loves travel and new experiences.
This kind of fantasy desire - to escape to “glamorous” lands and find freedom, eating “sweets and news”, also shows Tatyana’s inner need to escape from reality.
Vadim, 50 years old
Fig.4. Amikrabos Vadim has been living with his wife for more than 25 years, but family life has not worked out, and now he increasingly has a desire to change it by starting to live independently, separately. However, circumstances do not yet allow this to be done. Vadim is a soft person by nature and therefore has a particularly difficult time withstanding his wife’s aggressive behavior. Has great energy potential.
The animal was drawn by Vadim based on the original model (Fig. 4). It is generally devoid of organs that provide support - ears, mouth - and has a completely closed figure, which indicates introversion and difficulties in communication. Vadim named his animal Amikrabos, providing it with many legs for movement and covering it with scales; all this is an indicator that Vadim has a great need for support, protection, and is afraid of aggression. In addition, partially blackened scales indicate the author’s low resistance to stress.
Vadim's drawing is accompanied by the following story:
The animal is warm-blooded. Mixed habitat: water and land. Lives in the tropics and subtropics. It feeds on plants and reproduces by division. The method of movement is impulse, energetic.
The indication that the animal is warm-blooded speaks of Vadim’s desire to have warmth, family, and thereby be like others. “The method of movement is impulsive, energetic” - evidence of the difficulties in Vadim’s life, which he hides so carefully and to overcome (or resist) which he has to spend a lot of energy.
Irina, 54 years old
A short woman with a friendly and sweet smile on her face. Has two higher educations; I received the second, medical, only a year ago. Now she doesn’t know why she needs it and doesn’t understand why she studied for so many years. At the same time, she is firmly convinced that her destiny lies in “eternal learning.” Her life consists of a series of fateful actions and plans with the help of which she wants to escape from reality. In my opinion, this is a kind of program for saving your own soul, just the case when we say: “Help yourself.”
The fact is that, having lived with her husband for 27 years, Irina unexpectedly learned about the existence of his second family: while married to her, her husband simultaneously lived with a young woman and his children. Nevertheless, Irina was able to forgive him and continue to live with him. It was her choice; why such a situation took place is another matter. Let's try to figure it out from the picture (Fig. 5).
If you look at this non-existent animal, it seems to be quite cute in appearance, if not for the distorted shape of the head and “hook hands”, similar to bird legs.
Irina named her non-existent animal Mihotron. In my opinion, the name resembles some kind of mechanism, and the drawing of the animal itself is an unusual mechanical bear. Most likely, Irina’s life reminds her of a life of inertia, similar to some kind of mechanism, far from the world of feelings and love. Limbs directed towards the body indicate introversion, claws indicate aggression, and an open mouth without teeth or tongue indicates the ease of fears and fears arising in her life. The irises of the eyes, partially blackened, only confirm the presence of fear in the author of the drawing.
This is what Irina says about her Mihotron:
The animal lives in the forest, reproduces by budding [very strange for an animal, isn’t it?]. He loves acorn porridge, which the gnome cooks for him. Afraid of sudden noises. Loves to play hide and seek.
Fig.5. Mihotron The story only confirms Irina’s inner fear and anxiety about the future, indicates some nervousness and withdrawal from reality, but, nevertheless, reveals to us the woman’s very real desires. For example, the expectation of care and attention. Her animal “loves the acorn porridge that the gnome cooks for him.” The fact that Mihotron is afraid of sharp noises indicates Irina’s fatigue and possible nervous exhaustion. According to Irina herself, she is tired of everything. But the fact that her Mihotron loves to play hide and seek means, oddly enough, another game of Irina with fate: now she is drawing up documents for America for permanent residence there.
Dasha, 13 years old
The girl looks calm, shy and quiet.
The drawing (Fig. 6) is located at the bottom of the sheet, which indicates the girl’s low self-esteem and her experiences. Multiple lines indicate anxiety in a seemingly calm teenager. Three eyes are heavily blackened - an indicator of fear sitting deep in the soul. The many legs, which are the supporting part of the animal, and the nature of their connection with the figure show that the girl is able to control her reasoning and actions.
Dasha describes the lifestyle of this animal as follows:
Three Eyes lives in South Africa. It usually feeds on fish, but when hungry, it can eat anything. He is very afraid of his rivals - sharks and whales. He loves to swim on the bottom and hates sitting idle.
He has no friends because he is too kind (others don't like it).
Fig.6. Three Eyes Dasha's story clearly shows a depressive mood (“He has no friends because he is too kind”), fear (“He is very afraid of his rivals”) and a strong need for emotional warmth (“Three-Eyes lives in South Africa”). In addition, one can assume an unfavorable environment (“He likes to swim on the bottom”). A child’s story about an animal almost always reflects what actually happens to him in life and, knowing how important communication with peers is for a teenager, one can now imagine how difficult life is for Dasha. The girl's drawing and story showed that she needed psychological help.