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Intellectual and Rorschach Test Performances of a Group of Senile Dementia Patients and of a Group of Elderly Depressives

Department of Psychological Research, Crichton Royal, Dumfries

ABSTRACT

1. Tests of intellectual and verbal ability were administered to a group of senile dementia patients and to a group of elderly depressives, along with the Rorschach test.
   
2. Statistically significant differences were obtained from a comparison of the intellectual and verbal test performances of the two groups, and the variables concerned were intercorrelated.
   
3. There is a difference between the two groups of both intellectual productivity and intellectual potential, although the difference in potential is not nearly so marked as that of productivity due to the effects of fluctuation of performance on the latter.
   
4. A decline with age of verbal ability in the senile dementia group was demonstrated to be a more basic characteristic of senile dementia than disturbances of intellectual functioning, and will necessitate a modification of the concept of intellectual deterioration in advanced age.
   
5. Characteristic differences in Rorschach performance were obtained between the two groups, and a comparison made with other studies of old age and senile dementia.
   
6. The results of the present study are held to be of practical value in offering diagnostic aids in differentiating depression in old age from senile dementia.