ABSTRACT
Human orthogenesis, which conceptualizes development as a process occurring across the lifespan, is the most prominent theoretical emphasis in the field of developmental psychology. This field of study focuses on age-related changes, normal development, and psychopathological manifestations. Lifespan developmental conceptualization is based on a variety of theoretical perspectives that include recognition of multidirectionality in ontogenetic change and consideration of both age-connected and -disconnected developmental factors. Contemporary neuroscience findings and accumulating empirical evidence support the view that personality changes with age occur within a context that is composed of many factors that are biological, social, cultural, and historical. Employing the Rorschach for examining developmental personality change in the elderly is important not only for enhancing the theory and clinical utility of the instrument, but also for demonstrating aspects of its construct validity. Participants in the older group show less emotional complexity as compared to participants in the younger group.
