BGT Bender Visual Gestalt Motor Test

Bender Visual Gestalt Motor Test
Introduction
The Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test, usually referred to as Bender Gestalt Test or the
Bender is widely used primarily in diagnosis brain damage. The BGT was originally assembled
by Lauretta Bender in 1938 and discussed in her monograph A Visual Motor Gestalt test and its
Clinical use. Werthiemer (1923) used nine designs to demonstrate the Gestalt laws of perception
by emphasizing the normal individual’s ability to respond to designs to in an integrated and
coherent manner. Bender developed this theme further and demonstrated that how an
individual’s level of performance could be impaired by delayed perceptual-motor maturation as
well as either a functional or an organically induced pathological state.
The Bender Gestalt Test is an individually administered pencil and paper test used to
make a diagnosis of brain injury. There are nine geometric figures drawn in black. These figures
are presented to the examinee one at time; then, the examinee is asked to copy the figure on a
blank sheet of paper. Examinees are allowed to erase, but cannot use any mechanical aids (such
as rulers). The popularity of this test among clinicians is most likely the short amount of time it
takes to administer and score. The average amount of time to complete the test is five to ten
minutes. The Bender Gestalt test lends itself to several variations in administration. One method
requires that the examinee view each card for five seconds, after which the card is removed. The
examinee draws the figure from memory. Another variation involves having the examinee draw
the figures by following the standard procedure. The examinee is then given a clean sheet of
paper and asked to draw as many figures as he or she recall. Last, the test is given to a group
rather than an individual (i.e. standard administration). It should be noted that these variations
were not part of the original test.
The Bender Gestalt test should not be administered to an individual with severe visual
impairment unless his or her vision has been adequately corrected with eyeglasses.
Additionally, the test should not be given to an examinee with a severe motor
impairment, as the impairment would affect his or her ability to draw the geometric figures
correctly. The test scores might thereby by distorted observing the examinee's behaviour while
drawing the figures can provide the examiner with an informal evaluation and data that can
supplement the formal evaluation of the examinee’s visual and perceptual functioning. For
example, if an examinee takes a large amount of time to complete the geometric figures, it may
suggest a slow, methodical approach to tasks, compulsive tendencies or depressive symptoms. If
an examinee rapidly completes the test, this could indicate an impulsive style.
The Bender Gestalt test has been criticized for being used to assess problems with
organic factors in the brain. This criticism stems from the lack of specific signs on the Bender
Gestalt Test that are definitively associated with brain injury, mental retardation and other
physiological disorders. Therefore, when making a diagnosis of brain injury, the Bender Gestalt
test should never be used in isolation. When making a diagnosis, results from the Bender Gestalt
Test should be used in conjunction with other medical, developmental, educational,
psychological and neuropsychological information.
Reliability
According to the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test manual test-retest reliability of the
BGT is 0.70 and inter scorer reliabilities are 0.90.

Report
Purpose
The Purpose of this test is use to evaluate neurological functioning (visual maturity,
visual motor integration skills, style of responding, reaction to frustration, ability to collect
mistake, planning and organization skills, and motivation).
Subject
mehreen is 21 years old female, student of M.Sc Applied psychology. She got B grade in
Matric, B grade in Intermediate and B grade in Graduation. Her academic shows that she is an
average student. She is introvert as usual but according to situation likes the company of others.
She is emotionally attached with family and friends. She likes to read books and novels and
writing is her hobby.
Instrument
Complete manual BGT, booklet, scoring sheets, pencil and raiser.
Administration
Test was administered individually. Bender Gestalt Test was administered in the testing
room. The room was lighted and comfortable. The room was free of disturbance. She dressed
well. mehreen was very excited in the beginning of the test and quiet relaxed. All the instructions
of the test were given to her according to the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Manual to reduce
subjectivity. She followed all the instructions carefully. Fiza was provided with a blank paper.
On the paper she was asked to draw picture. Test was completed in 15 minutes. The subject was
excited at the beginning of the test but she became least interested because she had to draw
figures and she was not interested in sketching and pencil task. She completed this test very
easily. She found no trouble during the test.
Results
The results consist of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Quantitative analysis
Table 4: Showing score on BGT
Points Scores Design

4 Points
Preservation 0
Rotation or Reversal 0
Concretism 0
3 Points
Added Angles 0
Separation of lines 0
Overlap 0
2 Points
Embellishments 0
Partial Rotation 2 7
1 Point
Omission 0
Abbreviation #1 or #2 0
Separation 0
Absence of Erasure 1 8
Closure 0
Point of Contact on Figure A 0
Total 3
Qualitative analysis
The cut off score of Bender Visual Gestalt test is 8 and Subject scored 3 that is below cut
off. She committed an error in Partial Rotation in design no.7. She has added angles in design 8.
She used a erasure. which indicates a severe degree of dysfunction, possibly psychosis (Hutt and
Gibby, 1970), oppositional tendencies (Hutt, 1977); difficulty with planning and poor
concentration (Marley, 1982).
Discussion
The results showed that the subject is not fall in borderline category there is no any
neuropsychological issue, the error which she made might be because of least interest in drawing
and also poor attention in learning which is related with her behavioral observation during test.
Her routine functioning is normal.
Conclusion
Subject has no neuropsychological deficits.

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What is the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test used to evaluate?

What is the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt test used to evaluate?

What are some qualitative observations that can be made during the test administration?

What are some qualitative observations that can be made during the test administration?

Bender Visual Gestalt Motor Test

by emphasizing the normal individual’s ability to respond to designs to in an integrated and

individual’s level of performance could be impaired by delayed perceptual-motor maturation as

well as either a functional or an organically induced pathological state.

were not part of the original test.

suggest a slow, methodical approach to tasks, compulsive tendencies or depressive symptoms. If

Test should be used in conjunction with other medical, developmental, educational,

psychological and neuropsychological information.

BGT is 0.70 and inter scorer reliabilities are 0.90.

mistake, planning and organization skills, and motivation).

writing is her hobby.

Complete manual BGT, booklet, scoring sheets, pencil and raiser.

easily. She found no trouble during the test.

The results consist of qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Table 4: Showing score on BGT

Points Scores Design

concentration (Marley, 1982).

Her routine functioning is normal.

Subject has no neuropsychological deficits.

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