Psychological test based on drawings - house, tree, person: decoding with interpretation for children and adults

The “House - Tree - Person” test was proposed by J. Book in 1948 and is a projective technique for studying personality. It is intended for both adults and children, and can also be used when conducting group examinations.

The subject is asked to draw a house, a tree and a person. A detailed survey is then conducted. The author justifies the choice of objects for drawing by the fact that they are familiar to every subject, are the most convenient as objects for drawing, and, finally, stimulate freer verbal statements than other objects.

When using the “House - Tree - Person” test, R. Burns always asked his subjects to depict a tree, a house and a person in one ongoing scene, in one drawing. He believed that the interaction between house, tree and man constituted a visual metaphor. If you put the whole drawing into action, you can notice what is really happening in our lives.

A special way of interpretation may be the order in which the drawing of the house, tree and person is made. If a tree is drawn first, it means the person’s main vital energy. If the house is drawn first, then safety, success, or, conversely, neglect of these concepts comes first.

Psychological test based on drawings - house, tree, person: decoding with interpretation for children


Psychological test on drawings for children

  • If you want to find out how your baby really feels, then ask him to draw a house, a tree, a person, and then carefully examine the drawing, paying attention to all, even the smallest details. The first thing you should pay attention to is how hard your little one presses the pencil when creating her masterpiece. If the lines are weakly expressed and barely noticeable, then this indicates that you are growing up a timid and somewhere passive person who is trying to be invisible.
  • It is also a bad sign if the child uses an elastic band very often. This indicates uncertainty and excessive anxiety. If a son or daughter draws with strong pressure, this indicates that they are quite tense. In addition, you must pay attention to what colors the picture is made of. The ideal option is to use pastel colors.
  • Typically, this indicates that you have been able to develop a personality that lives in harmony with its environment. But still remember, so that the moral state of the children remains the same, it is extremely important for them to feel your love, and it will be better if you show it tactilely. To do this, it will be enough to hug and kiss your child a couple of times a day.


Decoding the colors of the picture
Decoding the colors of the picture:

  • Red . This color scheme should not alarm you as it is most often used by open and restless children. Yes, sometimes they may disobey or even act out, but this speaks more about individual characteristics rather than mental disorders.
  • Blue. Most often, this color scheme is preferred by calm, balanced children who sometimes like to be alone with themselves.
  • Green. This color scheme should alert young parents as it indicates that your baby lacks attention. If you do not try to correct this state of affairs, then with a high probability we can say that your child will grow up withdrawn and will be afraid to trust people.
  • Yellow . The predominance of such a color scheme indicates that a dreamy person is growing in your home, who looks at the world around him through rose-colored glasses.
  • Dark shades (black, brown, gray). The use of such a color scheme indicates that your child has quite serious psychological problems, which without proper correction can turn into a rather severe depressive state.


Decoding the location of the house

  • Another criterion that you must pay attention to is the placement of the house, tree and person in the drawing. If the child drew the figures you suggested as very large and cumbersome, this indicates that your baby’s anxiety is quite high, and he cannot relax even when he knows for sure that nothing threatens him. True, in this case there is one exception to the rule. If a hyperactive child is growing up in your house, then this arrangement of figures on a piece of paper can be considered quite normal.
  • If the house, tree and person are located at the very top of the leaf (as a rule, the lower part remains completely clean), then this indicates that you raised a child with very high self-esteem. In the future, such a child may have problems at home, in kindergarten or at school. Due to the fact that the son will consider himself better than everyone else, he will not be able to find true friends and, worst of all, will not be able to fit into the children's team.
  • A negative signal is very small figures located at the bottom of the sheet. Most often, children who have psychological problems draw this way. It is likely that your child is depressed or has very low self-esteem. Ideally, all the details of the drawing should be drawn as proportionally as possible and in no case overlap each other.


Decoding a drawing of a person

  • Well, at the last stage, conduct a general analysis of what your child has drawn. Be sure to pay attention to how he depicted the person and where he placed him. If a person comes out very sad and very small compared to other objects, then this indicates that your child is very lonely and feels unnecessary to anyone. It is likely that you simply spend little time with your child, and in his subconscious there is an opinion that he is not that important to you.
  • Also a bad signal is the complete absence of facial expressions in a person. This suggests that your baby has a rather poor emotional state, indicating terrible moral well-being. As for the house, it should also be as realistic as possible. Of course, a small child is unlikely to be able to draw an ideal home, but still, because he does this, you can understand how comfortable he feels in the family. So, if the house turns out to be very small and located as if far away, then it is likely that your baby feels rejected or alien.
  • If the house has normal dimensions and is placed proportionally in the picture, then this indicates family harmony and openness of your baby. Also a good signal is the presence of doors and windows at the painted home. A reason to be wary is a tree that seems to be hiding behind the house. Most often, children of very strict and dominant parents who try to control every step of their child arrange their vegetation this way.

Popularity of wooden houses

Before you start building a house, you need to accurately select the material. It must meet all necessary requirements. Next, a detailed plan and stages of work are developed. And after that, the builders begin directly to implement the task.

As one old book about architecture says:

Our ancestors have long used natural materials, building entire villages and cities. Abroad, wooden cottages have long been popular among the population.

Having assessed all the advantages, we can say with confidence that a house built of wood will delight its owners with its appearance, efficiency, and durability. The reigning atmosphere will allow you to relax pleasantly after a hard day of work and be filled with energy and the power of nature.

Psychological test based on drawings - house, tree, person: decoding with interpretation for adults


Psychological test on drawings for adults
As you probably already understood, a drawing can tell a lot about a person. True, in the case of adults, more attention should be paid to the small details of the resulting picture. Unlike children, they can already control their emotions and very often try to deceive a specialist by using the right color scheme or drawing with the right pressure. Therefore, the first thing you should pay attention to is whether there is a wisp of smoke above the house.

If a very thin stream comes from the chimney, then this shows that the person is emotionally exhausted and does not feel warmth and care from his loved ones. Too thick smoke coming from the chimney indicates that a person is under very strong moral stress. And the thicker and darker the smoke coming out, the worse the internal state of the person undergoing the test.

Deciphering the house


Decoding the drawing of the house

  • If a person draws a beautiful, proportional house that has all the windows and doors, then this indicates that he is in harmony with himself and with those around him. If the building is depicted without windows and doors, this is a sign of a closed person, which is most often provoked by quite strong problems at work. In this way he is trying to show that he is not going to let anyone into his life. Also a bad signal is the presence of steps or stairs that are not located near the door or window, but simply near a blank wall. As a rule, this is how a long-standing conflict manifests itself, which requires an immediate solution.
  • Also pay attention to how the walls of the home are drawn. If they are clear and clearly visible, then the person does not have any special problems. But if the lines denoting the outline of the house are very thin, almost transparent, then the person feels some kind of danger and is afraid that he will not be able to protect himself from it. Open doors at home indicate that a person has no problems either at home or at work, and is always happy to have guests. But if the doors are too large and occupy most of the wall, then this indicates that the man or woman has problems with self-esteem and at the moment they are trying to show their importance and irreplaceability.
  • Another negative sign is the lock on the door, especially if it is very large. As a rule, in this way a person’s subconscious shows his hostility, closedness and aggressiveness. Windows can also tell a lot about a person. If they are of normal size and there are flowers on them, then this indicates that the person does not have any psychological pressures that interfere with his life. If the windows are almost completely covered with curtains, it means that it is difficult for a person to interact with the outside world, and he is trying to isolate himself a little from it.

Decoding a drawing of a person


Decoding a drawing of a person

  • Most often, the presence of problems in men and women is indicated by the size of the person they depict in the picture. The smaller and more noticeable it is, the more insecure the person being tested feels. In this case, proportions are also very important. After all, if, for example, the person depicted has a very large head, then this indicates a desire to dominate others. A too small head shows that a person has problems with intellectual development, and he is very worried about this. If a man or woman does not like criticism and tries to distance themselves from unpleasant words, then the picture will depict a man without ears.
  • The size of the neck can also tell about internal psychological problems. A wide, but at the same time short neck indicates that males and females have character traits that they do not like, but they are trying to get rid of them. A neck that is too long and thin is usually depicted by people who are prone to aggressive behavior and who do not know how to keep their emotions under control. And, of course, don’t forget to pay attention to the person’s arms and legs. If they are drawn as clearly as possible, with bright lines, then this indicates that in front of you there is a man or woman who stands firmly on the ground and is not afraid of any difficulties arising.
  • As for the eyes, they also play a huge role in deciphering the drawing. If a person draws very small eyes, this indicates that he is too immersed in his internal problems. The presence of too large eyes indicates that the person being tested is rude and assertive. But beautiful and fluffy eyelashes reveal a flirtatious person who loves the attention of the opposite sex.

Decoding the tree drawing


Decoding the tree drawing

  • The more symmetrical and beautiful the tree is depicted in the picture, the more harmonious a person feels. If somehow part of the tree is larger or smaller than necessary, then this indicates the presence of psychological problems. For example, if a person draws a small tree and very massive roots, then this is a sure sign that he has some problems that he is trying to hide from strangers.
  • Very often in a picture you can see a tree whose leaves are poorly drawn, but at the same time the trunk is very brightly painted. This state of affairs indicates that the test taker is not afraid to face difficulties. Branches hanging down seem to tell us that a person has given up and is not even trying to deal with the problems that arise on his life’s path.
  • Pay special attention to the lines used to draw the tree. If all the lines are clear, smooth and are not interrupted anywhere, then we can definitely say that in front of you is an individual who is not afraid of life’s difficulties and always goes towards his goals. If the lines are crooked and periodically interrupted, then this is evidence of indecision, cowardice and inhibition.

Advantages of a wooden house

  1. Treated logs are used in the construction of a wooden house. Their surface is smooth and even, without protrusions. It is this feature that allows the elements to be most accurately connected to each other, forming a dense and stable structure. Pre-calibrated and calculated grooves are fastened to each other as accurately as possible, which greatly reduces heat losses during the cold season. It is worth noting that in addition to this advantage, the appearance of rounded logs is attractive, aesthetic and natural.
  2. If you compare different building materials, it becomes clear without much effort that wood is the most durable and profitable option for a home. Wooden housing will serve for many years, especially if it is built from solid material.
  3. Wood can withstand many loads, so when building a house you should not spend a lot of time and carefully building the foundation, measuring the required angle, calculating the possible settlement of the soil, and so on. Natural material is strong and does not require additional stability. That is, wooden construction is economical and does not require large labor costs.
  4. Assembling a wooden house does not take much time. This is due to the fact that processed logs are delivered to the construction site, having all the necessary holes, joints, and grooves. Installation is therefore quick and efficient.
  5. Wooden cottages are beneficial because natural wood retains heat in winter and leaves pleasant coolness in sultry heat. Even a thin wall will reliably protect every room. That is, in cold weather the owner of a wooden house will save a lot on heating costs, and in the summer he will enjoy fresh and clean air.
  6. Experts compared the properties of brick and wood. As a result, they came to the conclusion that the heat losses of brick walls are five times higher than those of wooden ones.
  7. Walls of natural material “breathe”. It is never stuffy in such a house, because the air constantly circulates.
  8. Wooden walls not only improve temperature and air conditions, but also help restore the most harmonious humidity.
  9. The natural beauty and attractiveness of the external appearance of wooden houses favorably emphasizes the individuality of the housing style. Costs for finishing materials and interior elements are significantly reduced.
  10. The essential oils released by the beams strengthen the human body, have a beneficial effect on sleep, cleanse the environment, and also fill the house with the pleasant aroma of the forest.

Description of the drawing according to the method of house, tree, person: how to draw and draw correctly?


Recommendations for taking the test

  • If you decide to conduct a similar psychological test on your child or simply one of the adult family members, remember that in order to get the most accurate result, you need to give the person complete freedom of thought. You have no right to tell him how to draw this or that part of the drawing. It is also strictly forbidden to push the test taker to choose a certain color. The entire time the person is completing the task, you will have to sit silently on the sidelines. And it will be even better if you leave the room altogether for a while. This way you will allow the person to be alone with you.
  • Also be sure to take care of the place where the testing will take place. You must create conditions in which the person will be as comfortable as possible. This means that on the table on which he will draw there should be no objects that distract attention. Ideally, only a piece of paper, pencils and an eraser should be on the table. If a child is being tested, then in addition to the above-mentioned things, you can also place markers and paints on the table.
  • With their help, the baby will be able to reveal his inner world as well as possible. As for drawing, there are no clear rules. You just have to give the person a task, and he must decide for himself where he will start creating the drawing. All that will be required of you in this situation is to silently observe and wait patiently for him to finish.


Drawing of an adult man


Drawing of a child
While the person is being tested, you will need to record:

  1. His reaction to the task
  2. How quickly did he figure out what was required of him?
  3. How quickly does a test taker decide on a color?
  4. How long did it take for the person to complete the task?

After the drawing is ready, you can ask your child or adult questions that will help you get the most accurate result. But remember, you must do this in the most relaxed manner possible. In general, a conversation with a child is best done in a playful way. After all, the more relaxed he is, the more reliable information his subconscious will give out.

Test questions:

  • Who did you depict in the drawing, boy or girl (man or woman)?
  • Is it you or your relative?
  • Do you like what you drew?
  • What kind of tree did you draw?
  • Why do you like it so much?
  • Is this your house?
  • What is your home made of?

In principle, the questions can be different, as long as they are relevant to the picture. For example, during a post-drawing survey, you can ask the test taker why some significant details are missing in his drawing (leaves on a tree, windows and doors on a house, or ears on his head). You should also be interested in the not entirely correct arrangement of the elements of the picture.

For example, obliquely growing trees or very skewed walls of a house. A person must definitely try to explain why he sees his world in a slightly distorted form. After you find out all the details that interest you, you can begin the final analysis of what the person has drawn.

Relationship between drawing and sheet of paper

CharacteristicInterpretation
Occupies a small areaFeelings of inferiority. A person wants to escape real life
Takes up the entire pageSevere frustration caused by limiting environmental influences, hostility, irritability
Fence around the houseThe desire for isolation, protection from the outside world
In the centerInsecurity, inability to adapt to the environment
LeftNostalgic mood, emphasis on experiences that happened in the past, focus only on the experience of the past
On rightThe desire to bring the future closer, dissatisfaction with the current situation, a thirst for change for the better
At the bottomLack of self-confidence, indecision, lack of interest in increasing one’s importance
UpQuite high self-esteem, dissatisfaction with one’s position in society, a feeling of lack of recognition from others

Exercise

Content

1. Take a sheet of paper and draw a house, whatever you like. This is where the instructions end, because if you start setting conditions, this will force the subject into a certain framework and can significantly distort the final result and its interpretation.

2. Next, and only after the house has already been drawn, it is proposed to answer a number of questions:

  • Where is this house located?
  • How many rooms are there in the house?
  • Who lives in it?
  • Where is this house located?
  • What is the most comfortable place in it, and why?
  • Which place is the least comfortable, why?

Example

I can't draw. From the word absolutely. No spatial imagination.

As part of the marathon, I drew this picture. And although I have always lived in apartment buildings, I associate the concept of “house” with such a small hut, with an attic or second floor and a balcony. And here are the answers to the questions:

1. The house is located near a forest (coniferous), on the outskirts of the village. 2. The house is small on the outside, but inside it is very spacious and cozy, it has many rooms, you can even get lost. Each guest can find a secluded corner. 3. An old grandmother lives in it, kind, wise and cozy. And when you need to rest or think, you come to her. Or just hiding from the bustle of the world. 4. It stands on the outskirts of a village somewhere in Central Russia, and behind the fence there is a forest, necessarily coniferous. 5. He has a balcony on the second floor. It is good to sit on it and admire the forest. 6. There is also a cluttered closet where temporarily unnecessary things are stored. It's cramped and uncomfortable there.

PIPE


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Thick smoke rushes upward from the chimney - this means that the child inside is tense. A thin stream of smoke indicates a lack of communication between the child and his parents. The pipe is hidden and is located entirely on the side of the roof that is not visible in the picture - the child is clearly alienated from emotional connections with others, even with his own family.

If your child needs psychological correction, our child psychologists will be glad to see you and use their wealth of experience to make the child’s life and yours happier and more harmonious. Make an appointment:

  • Call (Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 22 hours)
  • Write by email (24/7)
  • Write to us through the VKontakte group: https://vk.com/sdk_pazl

WINDOW


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Large windows are evidence of a child’s openness and communication skills. Does the house have many windows? The child wants more communication with his peers. Are the windows curtained? The child experiences communication difficulties. Windows with bars are a sign of a child with complexes. This child needs help. If a child depicts windows only on the upper floors, right under the roof, and the first floors remain empty without a “peep into the world,” this indicates a certain gap between reality and the world of fantasies and miracles.

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