In this episode, Dr. Petah M. Gibbs returns to unpack the thinking behind the supplementary set of images in the Athletic Apperception Technique (AAT). We explore why selecting specific cards can risk shaping the narrative, the importance of using the full set, and how grief, arousal, and self-diagnosis often surface in unexpected ways. Petah also shares insights on balancing emotional intensity across cards and what happens when elite athletes mislabel performance arousal as anxiety.

Also, an evocative story from Paul’s early career involving a response to a projective image helped us delve into how such techniques allow access to unconscious material, often unfiltered and deeply personal. Dr. Gibbs highlights the significance of silence in therapeutic work—how it invites genuine reflection and unprompted free association, echoing the principles of classic psychoanalysis. We also touch on the nuanced themes that may emerge in such assessments, including identity, sexuality, and interpersonal dynamics, illustrating that responses often transcend any fixed domain, including sport.

A thoughtful, rich continuation for anyone using or curious about the AAT.

Also, If you are interested in Dr. Gibbs original research study, you can find it here: Gibbs, P. M., Marchant, D. B., & Andersen, M. B. (2016). Development of a clinical sport projective assessment method: The Athlete Apperception Technique (AAT). Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 9(1), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2016.1180637

Abstract

Within the field of applied sport psychology, there is an increasing appreciation for diversity of training models, research methodologies, and therapeutic approaches. For example, psychodynamic formulations and interpretations have begun to appear more frequently in the sport psychology literature. In keeping with emerging psychodynamic viewpoints, we believe the time is right to introduce a qualitative sport-specific projective instrument: the Athlete Apperception Technique (AAT). The AAT represents a new technique based on psychodynamic theory and established projective test construction principles. It was designed primarily as a clinical tool for practitioners and not as an instrument for quantitative research into personality. It does, however, have potential research applications, especially in clinical sport case study research and narrative analysis investigations. The AAT produces an idiographic understanding of athletes’ characteristics, anxieties, and motivations (both conscious and unconscious). We briefly review the literature on the development of projective techniques, explain the rationale underlying the development of the AAT, and present three sequential studies to explain the AAT image selection procedures that led to the final product.

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Discover all Dr. Petah M. Gibbs research here:

• Gibbs, P. M., Andersen, M. A., & Marchant, D. B. (2023). Projective techniques: In Tod, D., & Eubank, M.

(Eds.) Applied Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Current Approaches to Helping

Clients (pp. 101-110). London, England: Routledge.

• Marchant, D. B., & Gibbs, P. M. (2023). Psychological Assessment: In Tod, D., & Eubank, M. (Eds.) Applied

Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Current Approaches to Helping Clients (pp. 101-

110). London, England: Routledge.

• Gibbs, P. M., Andersen, M. A., & Marchant, D. B., (2017). The Athlete Apperception Technique: Manual and

Materials for Sport and Clinical Psychologists. London, Routledge.

• Gibbs, P. M., Marchant, D. B., & Andersen, M. A. (2016). Development of a clinical sport projective

assessment method: the Athlete Apperception Technique (AAT). Qualitative Research in Sport,

Exercise and Health, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2016.1180637

• Davidson, K., McLaren, S., Jenkins, Corby, D., M., Gibbs, P. M, & Malloy, M. (2016). Internalized

homonegativity, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among Australian gay men. Journal

of Homosexuality. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2016.1190215

• McLaren, S., Gibbs, P. M., & Watts, E. (2013). The inter-relationships between age, sense of belonging, and

depressive symptoms among Australian gay men and lesbians. Journal of Homosexuality. 60(1), 1-

15. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2013.735933

• McLaren, S., Turner, J., Gomez, R., McLachlan, A. J., & Gibbs, P.M. (2013). Housing type and depressive

symptoms among older adults: a test of sense of belonging as a mediating and moderating variable.

Age and Mental Health, 17(8), 1023-1029. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2013.805402

• Gibbs, P. M. (2010). Psychological assessment: Projective techniques. In S. J. Hanrahan & M. B. Andersen

(Eds.), Routledge handbook of applied sport psychology: A comprehensive guide for students and

professionals (pp. 101-110). London, England: Routledge.

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If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is, and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London, UK.