Final answer:
Psychoanalysts used projective tests to reveal unconscious personality dynamics through the interpretation of ambiguous stimuli, such as inkblots or pictures. These tests are harder to distort than objective tests because there's no clear "good" answer, but their validity can be controversial.
Step-by-step explanation:
Projective tests were first used by psychoanalysts with the belief that they would reveal unconscious personality dynamics. The principle behind these tests, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), is that individuals project their own unconscious feelings, impulses, and desires onto ambiguous stimuli. By analyzing these projections, psychoanalysts hoped to gain insight into a person's inner world. Unlike objective tests, which may lead to more transparent responses, projective tests are more challenging to distort deliberately as it is not clear what constitutes a "good" answer. Standardization for some projective tests has been achieved, which aids in their reliability and validity. However, the appropriateness of using projective tests in certain settings, such as court cases, remains controversial due to questions about their validity and bias.