Research Findings of Both the Benefits and Limitations of DAP Testing

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Research Findings of Both Benefits and Limitations of DAP Testing

This paper focuses on research information of Draw A Person (DAP) testing in both its original form of Children’s Human Figure Drawing created by Florence Goodenough, it’s limitations, and it’s current form of function as DAP testing of today. DAP is typically used to identify cognitive strengths and limitations among primary aged youth through the evaluation of the drawn human figure. However, there is some evidence that suggests DAP could be of therapeutic benefit in other areas of function. Florence Goodenough first published findings in 1926 that revealed children’s drawings of a man can be correlated to their level of intelligence. Goodenough spoke of the human figure drawing task as being “useful in the analysis of specific mental functions and in the study of the development of conceptual thinking during early childhood” (Goodenough, 1926). Even though the Goodenough Draw-a-Man test was established as being a good measure of non-verbal cognitive ability, there are elements of this test that suggest:

1. In order to raise test validity, it may need to be used in conjunction with other means of measurement.

2. Lower socioeconomic status and/or limited access to structured programs have a significant effect on scoring outcome.

3. Scoring criteria and interpretation may be devised and utilized depending on the purpose and field of study.

The research that is focused on in this paper covers these three issues.

Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person Test Valid?

The Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person Test has been criticized by some for being outdated and the scoring instructions have been found to be laborious and imprecise ...

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...as measures of intelligence: the comparative validity of three scoring systems. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. 2001. Pg 19.

Ayres, A.J. & Reid, W. The self -drawing as an expression of perceptual motor function. Cortex 1966; pg 254

Goodenough, F.L. Measurement of Intelligence by Drawings. Chicago, Ill: World Book Company: 1926, pg.13

Litterick-Briggs, A. & Broadley, G. Smart start with PMP: implementation, management and evaluation. Teaching and Learning 2005; pg.21.

Naglieri, J.A. Draw-A-Person-A quanitative scoring system. San Antonio, Tx: The Psychological Corporation.

Oakland, T. & Dowling, L. The Draw-A-Person Test: Validity Properties for Nonbiased Assessment. Learning Disability Quarterly 1983; pg 6

Offman, H.J. & Bradley, S.J. Body Image of Children and Adolescents and its Measurement: an overview. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 1992; 37:6.

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