#220: The ripple effects of relationships and ambiguous images in the Athlete Apperception Technique - Dr. Petah M. Gibbs

In this third episode with the Athlete Apperception Technique's author Dr. Petah M. Gibbs, we unpack the art of crafting projective images for the AAT, exploring how ambiguity opens a door to the athlete’s internal world. From latent stimulus meaning to the powerful pull of interpersonal relationships, we unpack what makes a picture more than just a picture. Why focus on relationships before performance themes? What does it mean when an athlete doesn’t mention anyone else at all? Tune in as we discuss the psychology between the lines—on the track, the course, or the court.

Also, If you are interested in Dr. Gibbs original research study, you can find it here: Gibbs, P. M., Marchant, D. B., & Andersen, M. B. (2016). Development of a clinical sport projective assessment method: The Athlete Apperception Technique (AAT). Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 9(1), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2016.1180637

Abstract

Within the field of applied sport psychology, there is an increasing appreciation for diversity of training models, research methodologies, and therapeutic approaches. For example, psychodynamic formulations and interpretations have begun to appear more frequently in the sport psychology literature. In keeping with emerging psychodynamic viewpoints, we believe the time is right to introduce a qualitative sport-specific projective instrument: the Athlete Apperception Technique (AAT). The AAT represents a new technique based on psychodynamic theory and established projective test construction principles. It was designed primarily as a clinical tool for practitioners and not as an instrument for quantitative research into personality. It does, however, have potential research applications, especially in clinical sport case study research and narrative analysis investigations. The AAT produces an idiographic understanding of athletes’ characteristics, anxieties, and motivations (both conscious and unconscious). We briefly review the literature on the development of projective techniques, explain the rationale underlying the development of the AAT, and present three sequential studies to explain the AAT image selection procedures that led to the final product.

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Discover all Dr. Petah M. Gibbs research here:

• Gibbs, P. M., Andersen, M. A., & Marchant, D. B. (2023). Projective techniques: In Tod, D., & Eubank, M.

(Eds.) Applied Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Current Approaches to Helping

Clients (pp. 101-110). London, England: Routledge.

• Marchant, D. B., & Gibbs, P. M. (2023). Psychological Assessment: In Tod, D., & Eubank, M. (Eds.) Applied

Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Current Approaches to Helping Clients (pp. 101-

110). London, England: Routledge.

• Gibbs, P. M., Andersen, M. A., & Marchant, D. B., (2017). The Athlete Apperception Technique: Manual and

Materials for Sport and Clinical Psychologists. London, Routledge.

• Gibbs, P. M., Marchant, D. B., & Andersen, M. A. (2016). Development of a clinical sport projective

assessment method: the Athlete Apperception Technique (AAT). Qualitative Research in Sport,

Exercise and Health, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2016.1180637

• Davidson, K., McLaren, S., Jenkins, Corby, D., M., Gibbs, P. M, & Malloy, M. (2016). Internalized

homonegativity, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among Australian gay men. Journal

of Homosexuality. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2016.1190215

• McLaren, S., Gibbs, P. M., & Watts, E. (2013). The inter-relationships between age, sense of belonging, and

depressive symptoms among Australian gay men and lesbian