The method “Non-existent animal” is projective and is used to assess individual mental characteristics, research on self-esteem and self-relation. It can be used in almost all age groups, starting from preschool age.
Instruction manual
A sheet of clean paper, soft colored pencils and an eraser are placed in front of the subject.
The task cannot be performed with a felt-tip pen, pen and paints, since the degree of pressure on the pencil is also important for interpretation. Then the instruction follows: "Draw a non-existent animal, give it a name and tell about it."
Interpretation
The “Non-existent animal” technique is oriented towards the use of even the smallest details in the interpretation.
Position on image sheet
Normally, the figure should be located in the midline, and the sheet itself should be vertical. If the position of the figure is shifted up, then this can be interpreted as high self-esteem, when combined with other characteristics, the interpretation is different - dissatisfaction with the situation in the world. Such a person has a tendency toward self-affirmation. If the picture is more focused on the bottom of the page, then we can talk about insecurity, low self-esteem, depression.
Head (replacement part)
The method "Non-existent animal" is interesting in that the head can acquire
completely unusual forms. However, if this part is turned to the right, it can be assumed that the drawing was drawn by an active person, and all that he plans is most often carried out. The subject is not afraid to realize his ideas. If the head is turned to the left, then the subject is prone to reflection, reflection. Perhaps there is a fear of activity (requires clarification by other details). If the head is aimed at the painter, then this can be interpreted as egocentrism.
The main sensory organs should be present on the head . Ears talk about how a person perceives information. For example, big ears indicate that a person is curious, “like a sponge” perceives the flows of information received. The mouth speaks of speech activity. The more thoroughly this detail is drawn, the more this property is expressed. You can talk about human fears through the eyes. The larger the iris, the stronger the subject experiences this feeling. The “Non-existent animal” technique sometimes leads to the fact that additional details have to be interpreted. For example, horns. When combined with various additional drawings, they can indicate either aggression or defense.
Legs, paws, pedestal
Considering these details, it is worthwhile to dwell on their proportions in relation to other sizes of the figure. From them one can judge thoughtfulness or, conversely, frivolity, rationality and superficial judgments. The projective technique “Non-existent animal” can also show the level of control over the judgments of the subject, his behavior. This is evidenced by how exactly the legs are connected to the body. Uniformity, one-pointedness indicate conformity of judgments.
Tail
This part expresses a person’s attitude to his own actions, decisions, which are shown by the method “Non-existent animal”. Interpretation: with the tail turned to the right, we will see the attitude to our own actions, to the left - to thoughts. A positive and negative coloring finds expression in whether the tail is raised, or omitted.
Total energy
This indicator is estimated by the number of parts depicted. The more elements, the higher the energy. In addition, functional or decorating details may be present. If available, we can talk about the energy encompassing different areas of human activity.