Esoterica > The Work
Can personality tests and interactives aid in work upon oneself?
thorbiorn:
Can personality tests and interactives aid in work upon oneself?
The question arose after Aeneas in _http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?topic=7227 suggested to try out the 'Sheep Dash' game: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/ Having played a bit curiosity led to consider the page this game was place on. It was about sleep: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/ On it one finds a Daily Rhythm Test: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/crt/ It is short and claims to illustrate ones daily rhythm. There are a couple of suggestions of how to manage better.
In the neighboring pages of this section of the BBC site, there are other subjects.
There is one about the body: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/
And there is one for the mind: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/
The interactives one can find on the above links are instructive. There are a whole lot of surveys, tests and quizzes.
To some of the following tests and games I have added comments to others not. So if you are not sure what a "Skeleton game" is, try it? (hint: Skull and Bones ;)
Skeleton game: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/3djigsaw_02/index.shtml?skeleton
Muscle game: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/3djigsaw_02/index.shtml?muscles
Organs game: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/3djigsaw_02/index.shtml?organs
Puberty demo: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/lifecycle/teenagers
Nervous system game: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/3djigsaw_02/index.shtml?nervous
Brain map: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/organs/brainmap/ this page shows what parts of the brain relate to what emotions and what experiences.
When one opens the above brain map, there are two functions. One is 'Structure' the other is 'Function'
The 'Structure' options when selected shows the brain to the left side of the window. It has four yellow spots that can be selected by clicking the mouse. These are the cerebrum, the limbic system, the brain stem, and the cerebellum. When one selects each of these, the particular section opens up in the lower right corner, and new yellow sub point become available. When one clicks each of these more information appears in the dialog box.
The 'Search By Function' when clicked gives the following terms: anger, consciousness, disgust, happiness, language understanding, movement, self awareness, smell, taste, touch, breathing, coordination, flight or flight, hearing, long-term episodic memory, sadness, self-control, speech production, thirst and hunger, and last vision. When one clicks any of these words, an area of the brain opens up in the lower right, the relevant area shows up in yellow and the explanation appears in the upper right corner. There is quite a bit to be learned from this presentation.
One window says: "Your amygdala (shown in yellow) is responsible for generating negative emotions such as sadness, anger, fear and disgust. Working on non-emotional mental tasks inhibits the amygdala, which is why keeping yourself buys can cheer you up when you're feeling down."
Another says: "Emotions are generated in the limbic system, so the fact that smell information enters your limbic system helps explain why smells can evoke such strong memories and emotions"
While we are on the brain, a site that explains in more detail how a smell affects hunger is given on _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/personalityandindividuality/flavourandpersonality.shtml which links to _http://www.scienceofsmell.com/
The small presentation on this page tells how the journey of an odor to the olfactory bulb is linked to feelings of hunger, and pleasure. The first picture shows how breathing in a smell allows this to hit certain nerve receptors. These receptors send signals to the brain where they signal to the olfactory bulb (eyes I guess). When these are stimulated they in turn send signals to the hypothalamus which contains the satiety center and is part of the emotional limbic system. These signal are interpreted as either pleasant or unpleasant and the hypothalamus then sends signal to the rest of the body, and depending on how it is stimulated by the smell sensations, the hypothalamus may connect to the pituitary gland to free hormones that either creates a sensation of hunger or suppresses appetite.
Sniffing the decades: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/sniffingthedecades/index.shtml
Senses Challenge: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/senseschallenge/
Do you see what I see?, Do you hear what I hear? _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/synaesthesia/see/
About synaesthesia it says on another bbc page: "Synaesthesia isn't a disease or a disability. In fact, most synaesthetes wouldn't even call it a condition, they prefer to refer to it as a gift. It's a gift in which people's sense intermingle. Some see colour when they hear a sound, read or think of letters or numbers. For others, words create a real sensation of taste." For more explanation try: _http://www.syn.sussex.ac.uk/
Some of the interactives related to the mind and emotions are:
Disgust: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/disgust/index.shtml
Lonely hearts: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/lonelyhearts/index.shtml
Reading faces 1: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/faceperception1/index.shtml
Reading faces 2: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/faceperception2/index.shtml
Spot the fake smile: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smiles/index.shtml
Explore your memory: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/memory/
Face Memory Test: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/tmt/
Memory Training: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/interactives/intelligenceandmemory/memorytest/ On this page one can learn about 'Andi Bell's memory training technique'.
What kind of thinker are you? _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/leonardo/thinker_quiz/
This test indicates whether one is 1. Logical-mathematical Thinker, 2. Linguistic Thinker, 3. Interpersonal Thinker 4. Intrapersonal Thinker, 5. Naturalist Thinker, 6. Existential Thinker, 7. Musical Thinker, 8. Spatial Thinker, or 9. Kinaesthetic Thinker. For more on these types see:
_http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/leonardo/thinker_quiz/allresults.shtml
What sex is your brain? _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sex/
Personality type: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/whatamilike/index.shtml
This test distinguishes between 16 different personality types: Big Thinker, Counsellor, Go-getter, Idealist, Innovator, Leader, Mastermind, Mentor, Nurturer, Peacemaker, Performer, Provider, Realist, Resolver and Strategist. Each has four dominant values out of a set of eight which are Spontaneous/Planner, Idea/Facts, Heart/Head Introvert/Extrovert For each of the sixteen characters there is a page of description from which one can access the others see for example: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/personalityandindividuality/whatamilike/bigthinker.shtml
Careers, _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/careers/ This survey works with six profiles: Realistic, Conventional, Social, Enterprising, Artistic, and Investigative
What's your millionaire potential? _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/millionaire1/index.shtml
Can you work your way to success? _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/millionaire2/
Sensation-seeking, _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/sensation/
Self-control, _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/selfcontrol/index.shtml
Morals, _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/morals/index.shtml
Perfectionism, _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/perfectionism/index.shtml
Necker cube, _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/neckercube/index.shtml
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) screening test: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/ocd/index.shtml
Other sites with personality tests:
Some tests in English on _http://www.netpsych.dk/artikler.asp?vis=tests
_http://www.psykoweb.dk/psykotest/test.htm (most in English, for any translation of the above pages try _http://www.freetranslation.com/ or _http://www.tranexp.com/win/itserver.htm
On the netpsych page there are other links:
_http://www.queendom.com/tests/index.htm
_http://www.2h.com/
_http://www.tranexp.com/win/itserver.htm
_http://www.allthetests.com/
Some tests regarding health, mind and body: _http://www.health24.com/tools/Quizzes/1891-1892.asp
Articles about brain, mind, memory and cognition:
_http://www.health24.com/mind/Memory_and_cognition/1284-1297.asp
See also 'Brain exercise wards off Alzheimer's': _http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2177878.stm
Exercise now to cut dementia risk: _http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4304822.stm
Dancing 'wards off dementia': _http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3006130.stm
When it comes to brain exercises there many on the site of from Angela und Otto Janko: _http://www.janko.at/
Learning another language is also a way to keep the brain in good shape.
Several languages are listed on _http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/ like French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Mandarin Chinese, Italien, and a guide to Urdu.
For English and Math: _http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/
The post began with a question if personality tests are useful in work upon one self. Based on recent experience I think they can help one to get a more objective understanding of ones body and mind, and whereas it may not constitute work, it certainly is a good preparation.
Maybe some would not like to do tests on-line. This was one consideration I had, since the web is not really that private, no matter what people promise. Anyhow I did a lot of tests over the last few days and I think I shall keep doing it until I have investigated everything.
thorbiorn
anart:
Sheesh, thorbiorn, could you put more active BBC links in your post? Are you getting paid a kickback or something? ;)
--- Quote from: thorbiorn ---Can personality tests and interactives aid in work upon oneself?
--- End quote ---
It seems that it always comes back to the old 'garbage in = garbage out' adage. If the 'tests and interactives' are objectively accurate ( which is highly unlikely in this day and age from a main stream media source ) - then, sure - why not.
However, if these 'tests' are slanted, skewed or just based on garbage science, then it's probably no different than working on a crossword puzzle to find the secrets of the Universe.
There are no shortcuts - and msm online questionnaires seem a rather unlikely place to find direction for anything - after all - who wrote them? But, that's just my take on it.
thorbiorn:
--- Quote from: Anart ---However, if these 'tests' are slanted, skewed or just based on garbage science, then it's probably no different than working on a crossword puzzle to find the secrets of the Universe.
--- End quote ---
It is true that some of these are slanted, no doubt. On the other hand if one takes many tests from different researchers one notices the differences in the approach. One becomes aware who is closer, and who is more biased. Another factor that makes any test skewed is that the one who takes it, may have a false ideas about who he is or not be sincere in his answers.
Not only that, one experience I had was that some questionaries contained questions I had not considered, and I wasn't really always sure, that what I answered was the truth. Then there were others which I hesitated to even take, because I had never considered the subject or perhaps was afraid to find out. So deciding to go for it anyway, meant opening up to new areas, which meant opening up the possibility of finding out what more programmes there are. And the more one is able to face ones own unknow territory, the more easy I think it is to accept others, and to put oneself in someone elses shoes. Ok, there are no general outcomes, but I am quite sure it is going to be one of the benefits for me.
You are right about the BBC, that is also why I put in some more links at the end. And if you look you will find a HUGE amound of links within these. So if BBC is too problematic take a look at some of the others.
One of the last pages listed warns the reader (- not in English) that some of the tests presented are not for weak souls, because they go close. That means a test may ask questions that may lead us to doubt our assumptions about who we are, the greatness of our childhood maybe, our moral reasoning, and how we behave ourselves among others.
One suggestion to people from the same page was not to take any result too literal, but to use them as tools to explore further.
Lets say there is a test about relationships or social conduct. Then one possibility would be to do the quiz oneself and also to invite ones friend or partner to take it. When that is done the test can become a basis for a good discussion and conducting a conversation at a level which most people often do not reach. And because one has the test and the questions to work around, it can become personal without becoming offending. It is something rather different that to sit in the same sofa and watch a movie, to fight out differences, eat at a restaurant or begin to argue when when the emotions are high.
thorbiorn
anart:
--- Quote from: thorbiorn ---
--- Quote from: Anart ---However, if these 'tests' are slanted, skewed or just based on garbage science, then it's probably no different than working on a crossword puzzle to find the secrets of the Universe.
--- End quote ---
It is true that some of these are slanted, no doubt. On the other hand if one takes many tests from different researchers one notices the differences in the approach. One becomes aware who is closer, and who is more biased.
--- End quote ---
How do you know what 'closer' is? Unless you have an expansive depth of knowledge about personality traits/brain function and how they can be reflected in test response (in which case you wouldn't be taking these sorts of 'tests' anyway) - you couldn't know. Isn't it really all just entertainment?
--- Quote from: thorbiorn ---Another factor that makes any test skewed is that the one who takes it, may have a false ideas about who he is or not be sincere in his answers.
--- End quote ---
Yep - but that's assuming the test would really indicate anything true anyway.
--- Quote from: t ---Not only that, one experience I had was that some questionaries contained questions I had not considered, and I wasn't really always sure, that what I answered was the truth. Then there were others which I hesitated to even take, because I had never considered the subject or perhaps was afraid to find out. So deciding to go for it anyway, meant opening up to new areas, which meant opening up the possibility of finding out what more programmes there are. And the more one is able to face ones own unknow territory, the more easy I think it is to accept others, and to put oneself in someone elses shoes. Ok, there are no general outcomes, but I am quite sure it is going to be one of the benefits for me.
You are right about the BBC, that is also why I put in some more links at the end. And if you look you will find a HUGE amound of links within these. So if BBC is too problematic take a look at some of the others.
--- End quote ---
What evidence do you have at this point to indicate that these internet tests are anything other than self-referencing entertainment? The 'general masses' tend to be fascinated with anything that tells them 'about themselves' - whether what is said is true or not, and doesn't this type of thing just play into that self-referencing and self-importance - especially when the premises are questionable? How different is it from reading your newspaper horoscope every single morning and deciding what to do that day according to what it says?
--- Quote from: t ---One of the last pages listed warns the reader (- not in English) that some of the tests presented are not for weak souls, because they go close.
--- End quote ---
Go close to what? Not for 'weak souls'?
--- Quote from: t ---That means a test may ask questions that may lead us to doubt our assumptions about who we are, the greatness of our childhood maybe, our moral reasoning, and how we behave ourselves among others.
One suggestion to people from the same page was not to take any result too literal, but to use them as tools to explore further.
--- End quote ---
Who created this test? Upon what is it based? Is it even vaguely factually or clinically accurate? Are you asking yourself these questions that I am asking you before you take them, or are you taking these internet sites at their word and just diving in, believing it all? I only ask because you do seem to be quite enamored with such things - rather to distraction if you've actually visited all the above links and taken these tests. To what extent are you using these 'tests' as a 'sleep aid' - as a distraction from true internal discovery and Work? I mean no offense at all, it just seems that these are questions that you might do well to answer for yourself, or not, that's really up to you.
--- Quote from: t ---Lets say there is a test about relationships or social conduct. Then one possibility would be to do the quiz oneself and also to invite ones friend or partner to take it. When that is done the test can become a basis for a good discussion and conducting a conversation at a level which most people often do not reach. And because one has the test and the questions to work around, it can become personal without becoming offending. It is something rather different that to sit in the same sofa and watch a movie, to fight out differences, eat at a restaurant or begin to argue when when the emotions are high.
--- End quote ---
Any sort of conversation starter could work the same way. Reading a statement about the world at large and then discussing on which points you disagree and why, and what that says about yourself, would serve the same purpose. It seems that the danger with these tests lies in the fact that you believe that what they indicate is the truth - and you then identify to one extent or another with that truth - regardless of whether or not it is related at all to objective reality.
I'm not saying that taking such tests isn't 'fun' - it can be - it can be really funny too. I'm even sure that there are personality or brain function response tests that do indicate how certain aspects of one's machine works - but I doubt you'd find those on the internet for free. I'm just questioning the wisdom of taking these sorts of things so seriously - and putting so much stock into what they 'say'. fwiw.
thorbiorn:
Anart, without going into all the details let me generalize and say that I accept a lot of your criticism and that I am happy that you have brought it up for others to read.
Then there is a proverb that truth withstands the test of time and lies are soon exposed. So one way I can think of putting the tests to the test of time, is to continue to take a few more regularly over a period of some months or even a year, write down what I learn and report back here.
Do you consider this a responable response?
thorbiorn
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