The child's adaptation to life situations that may arise on his way, attitude towards others and behavior patterns in possible conflicts - these are the goals pursued by the method, which was named after its developer Rene Gilles.
René Gilles' projective technique appeared in 1959 and is still actively used to study the psychological makeup of a child and to identify how socially adapted he is to relations in society. When conflict zones of behavior are detected according to the results of this test, it becomes possible to influence children's perception of the world around them and further development of the personality.
Description of the Rene Gilles technique
The technique is visual-verbal, that is, the child is offered visual information and questions on its content, which he must answer. The test includes 42 tasks, which are accompanied by oral or written questions. These pictures depict people, children and adults, in relation to which the baby is asked to choose the form of behavior that is closer to him. An analysis of his answers shows how he perceives the people around him and his real relationship with them.
Rene Gilles' tests are simple, the pictures schematically depict family members and people familiar to the child, in relation to whom he is asked to choose the most suitable form of behavior for him in a given situation. For example, determine your place at the family table, where there is an empty seat near each relative, or from the suggested answers to a question like "If you were offended, what will you do?" choose a variant of your behavior.
Based on the results of passing this test, the psychologist examines the system of personal ties, which includes the child's relationship with family members and his characteristic psychological qualities. The latter include: contact, desire for leadership, curiosity, adequacy and secrecy. This, of course, is not a complete list of criteria by which experts assess the behavior of the subject.
How is testing done according to the Rene Gilles method?
The Rene Gilles technique is recommended for examining children aged 4 to 12 years. Testing should be done exclusively on an individual basis. Before the start of the study, the psychologist explains to the child in an intelligible form how the test will take place and what will be required of him.
At the end of the test, the psychologist asks additional questions that help him to more accurately examine not entirely clear points. If necessary, the information is supplemented by conversations with educators, parents or the treating doctor who is observing the child. Analysis of the subject's answers can be combined with other tests, play or psychological.
