The Lüscher Test: what is it and how does it use colors?

The Lüscher Color Test is a projective test. Let's see what it is and why it is criticized.

The Lüscher Test is a projective evaluation technique which is based on relating the preference or rejection of different colors to the expression of certain psychological states. It is a test widely used in different fields and has given rise to various controversies due to the nature of its application and its methodological criteria.

We will see below what are some of the theoretical foundations of the Lüscher Test, then explain the process of application and interpretation, and finally, present some of the criticisms that have been made.

Origins and theoretical foundations of the Lüscher Test

In 1947, after having studied the relationship between color and different psychological diagnoses, the Swiss psychotherapist Max Lüscher created the first test for emotional and psychological evaluation, Swiss psychotherapist Max Lüscher created a first test for emotional and psychological evaluation based on the preference for certain colors and their relationship with personality. based on the preference for certain colors and their relationship with personality.

It is a projective test, that is, an instrument for the exploration of the personality and the psyche used for diagnostic purposes in various fields such as clinical, occupational, educational or forensic. Being projective, it is a test that seeks to explore psychic dimensions that are not accessible by other means (for example, through verbal language or observable behavior).

Broadly speaking, the Lüscher Test is based on the idea that the serial choice of eight different colors can indicate a particular emotional and psychosomatic state.

The relationship between colors and psychological needs

The Lüscher test is based on relating the theory of fundamental and complementary colors to fundamental needs and needs that indirectly intervene in psychological mechanisms.

In other words, it takes up the psychology of colors to establish a relationship between psychological reactions and stimuli. a relationship between psychological reactions and chromatic stimuli, where it is supposed that each individualIt is assumed that each individual reacts psychologically to the presence of a given color. Thus, chromatic stimulation can activate reactions that speak of the satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, of fundamental psychological needs.

The above is posited as a universal phenomenon shared by all people, regardless of cultural context, gender, ethnicity, language or other variables. Likewise, it is defended under the argument that all individuals share a nervous system that allows us to respond to chromatic stimulation, and with this, activate various psychological mechanisms, activate various psychological mechanisms.

Objective component and subjective component

The Luscher test takes into consideration two elements that relate psychological states to the choice of certain colors. These elements are the following:

• Colors have an objective meaning, i.e., the same chromatic stimulation provokes the same psychological reaction in all individuals.
• However, each person establishes a subjective attitude that can be either a preference or a rejection of the chromatic stimulus.

That is to say, it is based on the assumption that all people can perceive the different chromatic ranges equally, as well as experience the same sensations through them. It therefore attributes an objective character to the experiential quality associated with each color.. For example, the color red would activate in all people equally a stimulating and exciting sensation, independently of variables external to the people themselves.

To the latter is added a subjective character, since it maintains that, for the same sensation of excitement that the color red provokes, one person may prefer it and another may perfectly well reject it.

Thus, the Lüscher test considers that the choice of colors has a subjective character which cannot be faithfully transmitted by verbal language, but which can be analyzed by means of the apparently random choice of colors.. This would make it possible to give an account of how people really are, how they see themselves or how they would like to see themselves.

Application and interpretation: what do the colors mean?

The procedure for applying the Lüscher Test is simple. The person is presented with a bunch of cards of different colors, and is asked to choose the card he/she is asked to choose the card he or she likes best.. The person is then asked to order the rest of the cards according to his or her preference.

Each card has a number on the back, and the combination of colors and numbers allows for a process of interpretation that depends, on the one hand, on the psychological meaning that this test attributes to each color, and on the other hand, on the order in which the person has arranged the cards.

Although the application of the test is based on a simple procedure, its interpretation is quite complex and delicate (as is usually the case with projective tests). Although it is not a sufficient condition, in order to carry out the interpretation, it is necessary to begin by knowing the meaning that Lüscher attributes to the choice to begin by knowing the meaning that Lüscher attributes to the choice or the rejection of the different colors..

They are known as "Lüscher colors" because they are a range of colors that have a particular chromatic saturation, different from that found in everyday objects. Lüscher chose them from among a win of 400 different chromatic varieties, and the criterion for his selection was the impact they had on the people observed. This impact included both psychological and physiological reactions. To structure his test, he classified them as follows.

1. Basic or fundamental colors

They represent the fundamental psychological needs of the human being. These are the colors blue, green, red and yellow. Broadly speaking, blue is the color of involvement affects, so it represents the need for satisfaction and affection. Green represents the attitude towards oneself and the need for self-affirmation (defensiveness of the self). Red alludes to excitement and the need to act, and finally, yellow represents the need for satisfaction and affection.Finally, yellow represents projection (understood as the search for horizons and the reflection of an image) and the need to anticipate.

To report a pleasant perception in the presence of these colors, is for Luscher an indicator of a balanced psychology and free of conflicts or repressions.

2. Complementary colors

These are the colors violet, brown, black and gray. Contrary to the basic or fundamental colors, the preference for complementary colors can be interpreted as an indicator of stress experience, or of a manipulative and negative attitude. Although they can also indicate some positive qualities according to how they are placed. Also, the choice of these colors is associated with people who have experiences of low preference or rejection.

The violet color is representative of transformation, but it is also an indicator of immaturity and instability. Brown represents the sensitive and bodily, that is, it is directly connected to the body, but as it has little vitality, its exaggerated choice may indicate stress. Gray, on the other hand, is indicative of neutrality, indifference and possible isolation, but also of prudence. and possible isolation, but also of prudence and composure. Black is representative of renunciation or abandonment, and to a maximum degree, it can indicate protest and anguish.

3. The color white

Finally, white works as the contrasting color to the previous ones. However, it does not play a fundamental role in the psychological and evaluative meanings for this test.

The position

The interpretation of the test is not completed only by attributing a meaning to each color. As mentioned above, Lüscher connects such meanings with the subjective experience of the person being tested. In other words, the results of the test depend to a great extent on the position in which the person has arranged the colored cards.. For Lüscher, the latter accounts for the position and direction of individual behavior, which can be Directive, Receptive, Authoritative or Suggestible.

Such behavior may, in turn, be in a constant or variable position, which varies according to how the link is established with the other subjects, the objects and the interests of the individual. The interpretative procedure of the Lüscher test is carried out on the basis of a manual of the Lüscher test. is carried out on the basis of an application manual which includes different combinations and positions of the colors with their respective meanings.

Some criticisms

In methodological terms, for Seneiderman (2011) projective tests have value as "bridging hypotheses", since they allow establishing connections between metapsychology and the clinic, as well as exploring dimensions of subjectivity, which otherwise would not be intelligible. By starting from the ambiguity and the wide freedom of the answers, these tests allow access to elements that are sometimes difficult to verbalize, such as fantasies, conflicts, defenses, fears, etc.

However, as with other projective tests, the Lüscher test has been attributed a "subjective" mode of interpretation, meaning that its interpretation and results depend to a large extent on personal criteria. depend to a great extent on the personal criteria of each psychologist or specialist who applies it.. In other words, it is concluded that it is a test that does not offer "objective" conclusions, which has generated much criticism.

In the same sense, it is criticized for the impossibility of generalizing its findings, due to the lack of standardizations that comply with the methodological criteria of objectivity of traditional science. Criteria that support, for example, psychometric tests. In this sense, projective tests have a scientific status that has caused considerable controversy, especially among specialists who consider this type of test as "reactive" and who at best have proposed to systematize them quantitatively.

Thus, this test has been criticized both for the lack of criteria that could ensure both its reliability and the low reproducibility of its results. On the other hand, the ideas of functionality and pathology have also been criticized. (and the possible reproduction of biases, prejudices or stigmas of various kinds), which theoretically support the interpretations of this test.

Bibliographical references:

• Muñoz, L. (2000). Lüscher test I. Application and interpretation. Retrieved August 14, 2018. Available at https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/48525511/luscher_manual_curso__I.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1534242979&Signature=mY9dvdEukwzWDzpDFPUGgFzgoRo%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DLuscher_manual_curso_I.pdf.
• Sneiderman, S. (2011). Reliability and validity considerations in projective techniques. Subjectivity and cognitive processes. (15)2: 93-110.
• Vives Gomila, M. (2006). Projective tests: Application to clinical diagnosis and treatment.. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona.