"Neither I nor Wikipedia are going to back down."
Those were the words of Moose Jaw Union Hospital emergency ward doctor, James Heilman, reacting to the British Columbia College of Psychologists asking the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons to launch an investigation, following his posting the famous Rorschach test and its most common responses on the Wikipedia website.
On Thursday, he told the Times-Herald even though he doubts the B.C. college's recent request will cause any problems, he is still collaborating with legal counsel, as any complaint filed with the Saskatchewan college must be taken seriously.
The B.C. college also issued a letter to its membership warning publication of the test results is banned.
The controversy began in June, when 29-year-old Heilman (a Wikipedia editor) decided to link the 10 Rorschach test inkblots to a Wikipedia page dedicated to the test, along with the most common answers.
This decision caused much controversy in the psychology community, prompting several media agencies from around the world to produce stories (including one in the New York Times) about Heilman's decision.
According to Heilman, arguments by some in the psychology community against his conduct - which he noted occurred on his own time in a voluntary capacity - aren't sufficient.
For example, he said the argument that the inkblots are under copyright is flawed. Heilman said Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach created the inkblot test in 1921 and the copyright has since expired, making the images public domain.
Also, Heilman said those opposed to his actions argue easy public access to the images and common answers can cause harm to individuals and society. However, he said arguments in this capacity are based on expert opinion and not actual scientific evidence.
However, University of Regina clinical psychology professor Thomas Hadjistavropoulos said it's only common sense that easy access to the inkblot images and typical answers would cause harm.
He said it simply makes sense that when someone who knows he or she is taking the test for an assessment and looks on Wikipedia to find the common answers in an attempt to give those answers, that basically damages the test for that individual.
However, Heilman said the Rorschach test is used for psychological assessments that can influence civil and criminal legal issues and is a test open to interpretation and is opposed by many in the field.
As such, he believes this public information should be made available for mass viewing, so that society can decide the legitimacy of such a diagnostic tool.
"I think these are important issues that need to be discussed."
He said Five Hills Health Region doesn't use the test for its psychological assessment purposes.
Heilman added local medical professionals with whom he has spoken have been supportive of his actions, which he believes are about freedom of speech.
- with files from The Canadian Press
Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
