Diagnosis of the dynamic roots of a clinical symptom by P-technique: A case of episodic alcoholism

Abstract

A P-technique study of a middle-aged episodic alcoholic was undertaken to get at the dynamic roots of the symptom. The ten dynamic traits in the Motivation Analysis Test were measured each day for 100 occasions using 5 objective test devices summed to an unintegrated, U, and an integrated, I, component for each. They were projection, fluency, preference, word association and decision speed. A measure of appeal (dependence need) and of the strength of the symptom was similarly measured. The longitudinal correlations were highly statistically significant and were analyzed in terms of path coefficients presenting a definite analysis of the etiology of the symptom which was consistent with general clinical observations and biography.