Measuring art: Methodical development of a quantitative rating instrument measuring pictorial expression (RizbA). (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schoch, Kerstin; Gruber, Harald; Ostermann, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Arts in psychotherapy. Volume 55(2017)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Pictorial expression -- Art therapy -- Differential psychology -- Test construction -- Quantitative methods; Art therapy -- Periodicals; Dance therapy -- Periodicals; Music therapy -- Periodicals; Poetry -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 616.891656
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2017.04.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-4556

Abstract

Highlights: RizbA is the first quantitative psychometric instrument reliably measuring pictorial expression . Two preliminary studies show a very high ability for differentiation between pictorial works ranging between .897 and .766. Inter-rater reliability stands outlying between .525 and .917. Test-retest reliability is compelling with .919. Factor analysis suggests the existence of four reliable dimensions of pictorial expression. Abstract: Art therapy theory assumes that art work is related to differential constructs of the artist. Empirically, this hypothesis has not been established because findings based on quantitative methods are rare. The Rating Instrument for two-dimensional Pictorial Work (RizbA) is designed to address this issue. The construct − pictorial expression − is theoretically defined by seven content areas: representation, color, shape, space, motion, composition, expression . In combination these create the overall test construct. The test development is based on art historical and art therapeutic theories, and the findings are supported empirically. Two online studies were conducted using a sample of nine pictures. These were rated by experts ( n1 = 12, n2 = 8). In the first study, based on psychometric characteristics, an item pool of 113 items was examined and a preliminary test version developed. The second study examined quality criteria of the preliminary version. For both studies, factor analyses were computed. The preliminary version includes 26 items. Its ability for differentiation between pictorial works ranges between .897 (T1) and .766 (T2), its inter-rater reliability between .525 (T1) and .917 (T2). Test-retest reliability is .919. PCA suggests a four-factors solution, which in large part is consistent across studies. As a reliable measurement RizbA opens new perspectives in fundamental art therapeutic and psychological research.