Molly Harrower

Molly Harrower (1899-1999) was a British psychologist who made significant contributions to the development and application of projective psychological testing, particularly the Rorschach inkblot test. She is known for her work in adapting and standardizing the Rorschach for group administration and for her research on personality assessment in various contexts, including clinical settings, industry, and aviation.

Harrower received her Ph.D. in psychology from Smith College in 1934. Prior to this, she studied at the University of Edinburgh and Cambridge University. Her early research focused on Gestalt psychology and perception.

During World War II, Harrower worked for the British Air Ministry, where she utilized psychological tests, including the Rorschach, to assess the suitability of pilots. This experience led to her further interest in the application of projective techniques to real-world problems.

After the war, Harrower moved to the United States and continued her research and clinical practice. She authored several books and articles on the Rorschach test and other projective techniques, including Rorschach's Test: A Manual for Introductory Study (1949) and Appraising Personality: An Introduction to the Projective Techniques (1952). She also developed the Multiple Choice Rorschach Test, designed to facilitate the administration and scoring of the Rorschach in group settings.

Harrower emphasized the importance of rigorous methodology and empirical validation in projective testing. Her work helped to make the Rorschach more accessible and widely used in clinical and research settings. She was a prominent figure in the field of projective psychology and made lasting contributions to personality assessment.