Cardiovascular changes were recorded in a group of army subjects coincident with the presentation of four TAT cards. The technique was designed to

elucidate the multiple psychological aspects of the experimental situation which have often been overlooked in classic physiological studies. The authors conclude that the degree of physiological response is directly related to the intensity of the interaction between subject and experimenter. The task aspect of the situation was determined by the social role of the participants and examiners (varied for sex and army rank) and further modified by the affective state and ego defenses of the subject. Irrespective of its content, when the fantasy was not communicated (card 4), there was no response. Furthermore, subjects with hypertension were remarkably unreactive physiologically because their characterological defense 'insulated' them from interacting with the experimenter.