Once, while testifying as expert witness in court, I described my use of the Thematic Apperception Test, a widely used projective psychological test developed at Harvard University in the 1930s. Consisting of picture cards showing people engaged in diverse activities, the subject is asked to create a story which is interpreted as revealing their personality, conflicts, and ways of relating to others. After my explanation the attorney asked, "Well Dr. Goldstein, if I made up a story (I no longer remember his story), would this mean that I had sexual problems with my wife?"
I could hardly believe what I'd heard. The lawyer opened his mouth and his unconscious flowed out--providing me an opportunity that I couldn't resist. "Sir, I can express no professional opinion about your sexual adequacy with your wife," I answered. The courtroom broke up in laughter, the judge smiled, and the lawyer sat down.
Lawyer beware: the unconscious is very powerful and one must respect its power. To quote Jung: "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."