The effectiveness of the Bender-Gestalt, scored by the Pascal and Suttell method, in differentiating the functional mental disorders, was investigated. The z scores were computed from the Bender-Gestalt protocols of a group of 27 functional psychotics and a group of 27 neurotics and personality disorders matched on the basis of age. All Ss were selected from newly admitted or readmitted hospital patients who had at least ninth grade education. The findings showed no significant differences between the two clinical groups and no significant correlations between z scores and two MMPI-derived indices of psychopathology. A significant correlation between age and z score was obtained, contrary to the findings of Pascal and Suttell. It was concluded that the Bender-Gestalt, scored by the Pascal and Suttell method, has dubious effectiveness as a differentially diagnostic instrument for the functional mental disorders.".