ABSTRACT
The assessment of oral dependency has its origins in psychoanalytic theory. Here, it is believed that overgratification or excessive frustration in this earliest stage of psychosexual development leads to the development of high levels of dependency on others for nurturance, guidance, and support. Likewise, it is believed that certain behaviors will develop in adulthood that are related to activities of the mouth, such as smoking or excessive eating. To assess oral dependency, both a Rorschach and Thematic Apperceptive Test (TAT)-based measure have been created: the Rorschach Oral Dependency Scale (ROD) and the TOD (Masling, Rabie, & Blondheim, 1967).
