The Kinetic Family Drawing Technique: A Review of the Literature

Authors

Leonard Handler, University of Tennessee
Donna Habenicht, Andrews UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Abstract

This article is a review of the research on the Kinetic Family Drawing Technique (KFD; Burns & Kaufman, 1970) in the areas of reliability, normative findings, cultural influences, and validity. The review is critical of studies that emphasize single KFD signs and the use of a single interpretation for each of a series of signs, instead, the authors emphasize the need for more sophisticated studies that utilize a holistic, integrative approach to interpretation. The article also discusses the existence of significant age, race, and culturally related differences in KFD performance and stresses the need for more detailed normative data in these areas. In addition, the authors stress the importance of research that focuses on the interpretive approach of the clinician using the KFD technique, rather than on the KFD, per se. © 1994, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Journal of Personality Assessment

Volume

62

Issue

3

First Page

440

Last Page

464

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa6203_5

First Department

Graduate Psychology and Counseling

Recommended Citation

Handler, Leonard and Habenicht, Donna, "The Kinetic Family Drawing Technique: A Review of the Literature" (1994). Faculty Publications. 2566.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/2566