BLOCK TECHNIQUE
Effect of Block Technique
Block Technique is one of the art therapy methods and clients express anything they desire by using LEGO® blocks on the plate. It was developed based on the theory of sandplay therapy. The main theoretical feature is constructing anything we like using ready-made objects in the secure framework. It has therapeutic effects to us and I examine its effects by using statistical methods.
related article
A study of psychotherapy using blocks: Analysis of effects of the therapy by using POMS (Profile of Mood States) and the relationship between the features of block works and mood states
Daiki Kato
Japanese bulletin of art therapy 35(1), 52-62, 2006. [in Japanese]
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Block Technique as a Tool for Psychological Assessment
I'm examining relationships between psychological aspects and features of expression in block creation. Block Technique is available not only as psychotherapy but also as psychological assessment. Personality and other psychological factors are projected to the expression.
related article
Relationships between Features of Collage Works, Block Works, and Personality
Daiki Kato & Miyako Morita
Social Behavior and Personality, 38(2), 241-248, 2010.
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Form, Content, and Gender Differences in Lego Block Creations by Japanese Adolescents
Daiki Kato & Miyako Morita
Art Therapy, 26(4), 181-186, 2009.
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Collaborative Expression using Block Toys
Blocks are also useful as a tool of communication. We use it as a medeum of communication in group approach. Especially we use it in the area of student couseling and examine its effect.
related article
Effect of Collaborative LEGO® Block Construction on Japanese Young Women's Sense of Acceptance
Daiki Kato, Miho Asai, and Mio Yoshie
Social Behavior and Personality, 41(8), 1333-1338, 2013.
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Effects of Collaborative Expression Using LEGO® Blocks, on Social Skills and Trust
Daiki Kato, Kyoko Hattori, Shiho Iwai, and Miyako Morita
Social Behavior and Personality, 40(7), 1195-1199, 2012.
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How to apply Block Technique
We provide LEGO® blocks to use for expression.
Among the basic blocks provided were standard brick-shaped blocks in the colors of red, blue, green, yellow, white, black, and brown.
We also offer a variety of specially shaped blocks such as animals, plants, wheels, windows, doors and other common objects.
LEGO® sets usually contain human figures and a number of male and female figures are provided.
The figures had identifying details such as uniforms and clothes that corresponded with a variety of jobs, such as office workers, carpenters, and police officers.
Belongings (e.g., tools and bags) for the figures also are provided.
Finally, participants are given green plastic base plates (25 cm x 25 cm) on which to assemble their block creations.
Basic Blocks
Specific Blocks
Figures
Plate
Example of Expression
Our clients express their inner unconscious image by using toy blocks on the plate.
The plate has an important role as a secure framework and this structure holds clients' expression safety.
We therapists also watch over and protect their expression process and interpret the meaning of it.
This process is quite therapeutic and Block Technique is useful for art therapy.
Many kind of psychological factors such as personality are projected into their expression.
Therefore, Block Technique is useful as a projective method for a psychological assessment.
It is also available in the group situation.
Studies shows some positive effect on the group work using block technique.
For example, social skills are facilitated through collaborative block creation with others.
